It's Cuffing Season....
Let's talk about something that might just give you a little extra edge in the college admissions game ... demonstrated interest. Yep, you heard that right!
It's not just about how incredible of an applicant you are, but also about how much interest you show to your dream school. So, what exactly is demonstrated interest, and why should you care? Let's dive in!
What is Demonstrated Interest?
Imagine you’re dating a college (stay with me here). The more you show you’re into them, the more likely they are to say, “Hey, let’s make this official!” Demonstrated interest is all about showing colleges that you’re not just applying to that college for the fun of it - you really, truly want to be there. It’s your way of saying, “I really like you!”
Why Does Demonstrated Interest Matter?
Colleges get it...they know applying to schools is kind of like playing the lottery. But they want to admit students who are likely to actually show up on campus. So, they track how interested you are. Some schools even have it as a factor in admissions decisions!
**It's important to note this is way more important for some colleges than others. At the end of this blog is a list of some popular colleges and how much they care**
Ready To Start Dating? How to Show a School That You’re Interested
So, how do you demonstrate interest without coming off as too eager? Here are some fun, easy ways to do it:
1. Open Those Emails! Colleges send a ton of emails - some interesting, some... not so much. But here’s the kicker: they can see when you open them! So, take a peek, click on those links, and spend some time exploring. It’s like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs showing you’re curious and engaged.
2. Visit (Virtually Counts Too!) Whether it’s in person or online, visiting a campus is like going on a date. It’s quality time together, and colleges notice. If you can’t make it to campus, no worries! Virtual tours are super popular now, and they totally count. If you register for a visit, don't ghost them—show up or let them know if you can’t make it.
3. Say Hi at College Fairs When college reps come to your high school or a local college fair, swing by and chat. It’s like meeting the parents...it shows you’re serious. Plus, it gives you a chance to ask questions and get on their radar.
4. Fill Out Those Cards You know those little inquiry cards they hand out at fairs? Fill them out! It’s your way of saying, “Hey, remember me?” Trust us, it goes a long way.
5. Apply Early if You Can If you know you want to be at a school, consider applying early. It’s like being the first to ask someone to prom, it shows you’re confident and committed. But even if you apply regular decision, try to avoid waiting until the last minute.
6. Get to Know Your Admissions Counselor Admissions counselors aren’t just application readers, they’re your advocates. Get in touch with them, ask questions, and build a relationship. It might feel a bit like networking, but it’s really just connecting with someone who’s rooting for you.
Does It Really Work?
Short answer: Yes! Demonstrated interest isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it’s definitely a piece of the puzzle. It shows schools that you’re not just applying to them because everyone else is, but because you genuinely see yourself there. And that’s something they love to see.
A Final Word of Wisdom
Remember, showing interest should come from a genuine place. Don’t go overboard or stress about clicking every link or attending every event. Follow your curiosity and let that guide you. After all, this process is about finding the right fit for you too.
Check out this list to see if any colleges you are interested in track interest:
Demonstrated Interest = Very Important:
American University
Cooper Union
Dickinson College
Hampshire College
Ithaca College
Morehouse College
Quinnipiac University
Syracuse University
Thomas Aquinas College
United States Air Force Academy
United States Naval Academy
Demonstrated Interest = Important:
Auburn University
Bates College
Bentley University
Butler University
DePaul University
Eckerd College
Elon University
Fairfield University
Florida Institute of Technology
High Point University
Kenyon College
Lehigh University
Loyola University Chicago
Michigan State University
Oglethorpe University
Reed College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Roanoke College
Seattle University
Seton Hall University
Skidmore College
The College of Wooster
Trinity College
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Military Academy
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Wheaton College (MA)
Demonstrated Interest = Considered:
Agnes Scott College
Babson College
Bard College
Barnard College
Baylor University
Boston University
Catholic University
Chapman University
Clark University
Colby College
College of Charleston
College of the Holy Cross
College of William and Mary
Colorado College
Connecticut College
Cornell College
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Denison University
Duke University
Fordham University
Franklin & Marshall College
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hofstra University
Howard University
Lafayette College
Lawrence University
Lewis & Clark College
Loyola University Maryland
Marist College
Marquette University
Middlebury College
Muhlenberg College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Oregon State University
Pitzer College
Providence College
Purdue University
Rhodes College
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Saint Louis University
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Sewanee: University of the South
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern University
Swarthmore College
Texas A&M University
Trinity University
Tufts University
Tulane University
Union College
United States Coast Guard Academy
University of Central Florida
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Missouri, Columbia
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of North Texas
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Portland
University of Puget Sound
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of Texas at Austin
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin
Ursinus College
Villanova University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington and Lee University
Washington University in St. Louis
Wellesley College
Wheaton College (IL)
Xavier University
If you are feeling lost in this process and need some guidance, please schedule a call with us here!
Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
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