<p>I know some schools don't, but then some schools do (ahem WUSTL). opinions?</p>
<p>My guess is that generally schools who admit a small percentage of applicants aren't overly concerned with interest. Clearly it's something they look for but I don't think Harvard has to scramble to enroll enough students every fall.</p>
<p>WUSTL, U of Chicago, Tufts, Johns Hopkins. Interest counts a lot at many of the schools that are not Ivy, but are close to that level. Interest also counts at any school that might suspect you, as an applicant, of using it as a safety.</p>