<p>I am applying SCEA to Stanford this fall, and I haven't visited the campus; my parents have been there, and I've taken the online tours and everything, but we haven't had a chance to fly out to California. I will be gone (mostly for sports) every weekend from now until November, so I thought I would just visit if I got accepted...</p>
<p>My parents seem to think that if we don't see the school now, it will lower my chances of getting in because I won't be "demonstrating enough interest". However, it seems like I demonstrate a lot of interest by applying SCEA.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any input or statistically significant data regarding admissions and campus visits?</p>
<p>Your parents are misinformed about Stanford. It's true there are some schools at which demonstrated interest is important, but they generally tell you so on their website. WUSTL cares, Tufts does, so do many LACs. Many schools striving to climb in the rankings care because they don't want to be used as a safety (or least-liked "top" choice) for those aiming at top schools. LACs tend to care because the fit is so important at a small school.</p>
<p>However Stanford and many other top schools don't care, and they say so.
[quote]
Does Stanford show preference in the admission process for students who have demonstrated their interest by visiting, calling and emailing?
Not at all. Contacting the Admission Office is neither a requirement nor an advantage in our admission process. We offer campus tours and information sessions to provide you with the information you need to make an informed college choice, not to evaluate you. And we welcome calls and emails for the same reason. Please do not feel compelled to contact us to demonstrate your interest in Stanford; we know by the very fact of your applying that you are seriously interested in Stanford. We don’t keep records of prospective student contacts with our office.
Stanford</a> | Applying to Stanford | Frequently Asked Questions
[/quote]
You can show this to your parents; however this may just be a battle you can't win. Their reply may very well be "that's what they SAY, but really they care"</p>
<p>BTW if you are of the caliber to play Division-I and you're interested in doing so at Stanford, be sure to contact the coaching staff to see if you could be recruited for your sport(s). HUGE advantage!</p>
<p>Yeah, Stanford definitely makes it clear that "demonstrated level of interest" is not a factor. I'd show your parents that quote that mikemac gave, and surely they'll understand.</p>
<p>Stanford is really one of those "stats only" kind of places: SAT scores, gpa, class rank. All that other stuff about being holistic is really just feel good commentary. It all comes down to your stats. Or being a celebrity like Chelsea Clinton or in the case of a distant relative of mine who got in, knowing Sec.ofState George Schultz. Good luck.</p>
<p>You were correct. SCEA is more than demonstrating interest, it is demonstrating commitment.</p>