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You may have heard that you need to demonstrate interest in colleges in order to gain admission. Still, you may be wondering how big a factor this really is in the grand scheme of things. The fact is, some colleges weigh it heavily, while others don’t consider it at all.
What exactly does it mean to demonstrate interest in a college, and how do you do so? Moreover, which colleges consider it an important factor in the admissions process—and which don’t? Keep reading to find out.
Some colleges weigh demonstrated interest more heavily in the admissions process than others. It’s important to know how much they consider it so you know where to focus your efforts.
Colleges take interest into account because they want to have a strong yield—the percentage of students who accept their offer of admission. Yield impacts rankings, reputation, and other factors, so colleges seek to make their yield as high as possible. When prospective students show that they’re invested in the institution by visiting it or speaking to admissions representatives at college fairs, they are indicating that they are likely to attend if they are extended an offer of admission.
While demonstrated interest alone will not get you into a college when other aspects of your application are lacking (such as academics, extracurriculars, or essays), it can help differentiate you from a candidate who has otherwise comparable strengths but hasn’t expressed as much enthusiasm for the college.
• Visit the college.
Campus visits will not only show the college that you want to learn more about it; more importantly, it also helps you gauge your fit. Speaking to actual students and sitting in classes are some of the best ways to determine whether this is actually a place where you could see yourself spending four years.
If you visit, make sure to sign up for a campus tour and see if you can participate in activities, such as attending lectures or staying with a student. You’ll want the school to know you were there, and to learn more about different aspects of the environment and what it offers.
Many students are apprehensive about the cost of visiting colleges. There are some options for first-generation and low-income students, such as fly-in programs , which cover the costs of the visits. These programs are generally competitive though, so keep in mind that there are other ways to demonstrate interest if you’re unable to participate.
• Attend college fairs.
Many admissions representatives visit different areas to participate in college fairs. Some may even come to your high school. Make sure to attend these sessions if they do and ask well thought-out questions. Generally speaking, these representatives are responsible for your area and will play a crucial role in advocating—or not advocating—for your admission to the college, so your interactions should be memorable and meaningful.
• Sign up for collateral.
Even signing up for email and snail-mail lists can allow you to demonstrate interest in a college, since you’re showing that you want to learn more about the school.
However, don’t assume that clicking a subscribe button alone will be enough. Many colleges track opens and link clicks from individual subscribers and will take this information into account when determining your level of interest. So, make sure to open the emails and newsletters you receive from the college and actively click the links.
• Schedule an interview.
Some colleges give you the opportunity to interview with an alum in your area, or an admissions representative on campus. Interviews are generally evaluated as a component of your application and can also be a chance for you to express your enthusiasm for the school. Make sure to do plenty of research so you can show your knowledge of and investment in the college, as well as ask thoughtful questions. Pro tip: come prepared with questions to which you can’t find the answer online.
• Express enthusiasm in your essays.
Some colleges will ask you to write a “Why Us” statement, or something similar. You must show that you’ve researched the school thoroughly and considered why you and the college would be a mutually good fit, being as specific as possible. For example, perhaps you dream of being a writer and know that the college’s stellar creative writing program has graduated some of your favorite authors. Or, perhaps you want to continue playing the cello and the school has an advanced non-major orchestra. It’s just as important to talk about extracurricular aspects as it is academic—after all, the school will be your home for four years.