Ways to show demonstrated interest?

Applying to College
1

I hear all the time about “demonstrated interest” and how important it is to top schools. My top choice is USC and I have heard that demonstrated interest is important to them too, so I care about doing what I can to up my admission chances.

My question is, how do I show demonstrated interest? I’ve seen advice to visit campus and local events, only problem is I have lots of family responsibilities and a very full schedule, so I have to pick how I fill my days very carefully. I will try to get to Discover USC but I doubt I’ll make it (I’m in the area; it would be totally out of the question if I weren’t.) I’ve already filled out the request information form, I contacted a person in the music department (intended college) about audition dates which weren’t on the website. I open their emails. I do not at this point have any questions for my AO and I don’t want to bug them with an unnecessary email that just says hi I’m interested in USC. Any recommendations?

2

No better way than applying ED.

3

USC doesn’t have ED

4

Not to be disrespectful but no matter how busy you are, you have to visit, ESPECIALLY if you live within driving distance. We have heard from admissions people that if you live 2 hours away and can’t be bothered to visit the campus, they don’t think you are serious. If it is your top choice, you have to put in the effort. It’s all about their yield.

My daughter’s favorite school is 2.5 hours away and we have been to 3 different events in a little over a year (we are busy, too!). The AO and VP of Admissions actually remember her when we go back and greet her by name. When she went for an interview, there were kids from 4 other states and 2 foreign countries (they have a tv screen scrolling the names and hometowns of students visiting that day). If you can’t swing a visit, don’t worry because plenty of others do.

5

Older thread on the subject: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1626043-ways-to-show-a-high-level-of-applicants-interest-p1.html

If you believe USC’s common data set (section C7) at https://oir.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CDS_2018-2019_FINAL1.pdf , then USC does not actually consider level of applicant’s interest.