Although there is no universal definition for the term "demonstrated interest," most colleges assign some level of importance to a student’s interest in attending the institution, according to the latest annual report of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). Over 50% of colleges assigned "Considerable" or "Moderate" importance to this factor, up dramatically from the previous year.

Private colleges, small colleges, highly selective colleges, and colleges with low yield rates (yield is the percentage of accepted students choosing to enroll) appear to be most likely to consider a student’s interest during the admission process.

On the other hand, some colleges pay little or no attention at all to "demonstrated interest." Stanford, for instance, says:

Some students are concerned they must visit campus regularly, attend all our regional information sessions, or keep in close contact with our office in order to show their interest in Stanford. We give no preference in the admission process to those applicants who demonstrate interest through these actions. We believe that the best indication of a student's ability to thrive at Stanford is through demonstrated excellence during high school and demonstrated effort through our written applications.

In any case, it certainly won't HURT to express your interest. Your outreach efforts could be a "tip factor" in admissions at some schools, and the steps you take to show your interest can actually help you familiarize yourself with the colleges on your list. But it's important to be realistic about the probable results.

Here are some of the ways a student may show interest.

Request information

The first and easiest thing you can do is to get on your colleges' radar screens, either online or by mail.

If you receive a mailing from a college that interests you, send back any Information Request card that is enclosed.

Each college website will have an admissions homepage offering a place for you to input information about yourself so that you can receive viewbooks, brochures, catalogs, and other mailings.

If you are interested in athletics, the Athletics Department homepage will often include a place to indicate your interest in participating in sports at the college.

Consider early decision or early action

The decision to apply early is probably the strongest indication of interest a student can convey. Early Decision and Early Action applications require a stepped-up action plan that only the most organized and motivated students are able to undertake. Early Decision is the clearer indication, of course, since the student is committed to attending the college if accepted. Click for more about the pros and cons of early admission.

Visit campuses

Many observers have pointed out that using the college visit as a signal of student interest gives a distinct advantage to affluent families, but colleges do take distance and family resources into account when a student does not come to campus. If you don't take the time to visit nearby colleges, however, they may rightfully interpret this as distinterest. Click to learn more about how to plan and execute a successful campus visit.

Interview when possible

Sign up for an interview, either as part of a campus visit or with an area alumnus, and prepare for it thoroughly. Your knowledge of the college and the ways it is a good fit for you will be a strong indication of interest in attending. Click for more information about how to have a successful college interview.

Write convincing "Why?" essays

Colleges sometimes require an additional essay that asks “Why do you want to attend our college?” Writing a complete and convincing response can be a very effective way to communicate your interest and show you are a good match. In addition, it can provide an example of competent prose to add to the other writing samples you are submitting. Finally, you will be much better informed ahead of an interview, or when decision time comes. Click for more advice about how to write an effective Why Essay.

Attend high school or area presentations by your colleges

When one of your colleges schedules a visit in your area or at your school, take the time to go. You will learn more about the college, and also convey your interest in attending. Be sure to do your homework before you attend the session, so that you can ask good questions that you really want answers to!

Send arts or athletic supplements

If you have a special talent, and the college accepts supplemental materials, send in a CD or DVD of a performance or game. You can do this now as part of the Common Application, which has special forms -- The Common Application Arts Supplement and the Common Application Athletic Supplement -- you can access and submit online.  Some colleges may have their own procedures for submitting supplementary materials, or special deadlines for doing so..

E-mail a faculty member at your top-choice colleges

This option should be approached very carefully and will not work for all applicants. Pick out the name of a faculty member teaching a course in a specialized area in which you are truly interested. Contact him or her with genuine, not fake or forced, questions about the course, research opportunities, and so on. Not only will a responsive professor reinforce your interest in the school, but it's also a great addition to the Why Essay when a student can say, for example, "Professor Smith has written me about her "Child Language" course reading list, and was even interested in a suggestion for it I was able to give her because of the paper I did last year for my AP Psychology class." If you follow up the e-mail exchange with a campus visit, you may even be able to meet with the professor. One of my students did this at Pomona, and that professor even went to bat for her with the admissions office -- on his own initiative!

 

Printable Forms

Information Request Tracker

Application Checklist

Individual College Application Tracker

Essay Checklist

Interview Checklist

Recommendation Checklist

Junior Checklist

Senior Checklist