With students able to easily apply to 15-20 schools at a time, demonstrated interest has become a key tool for colleges to gauge applicant engagement.
Effective ways to demonstrate interest:
- Attend virtual events or in-person tours.
- Attend information sessions–either remotely or in–person, especially those tied to specific majors.
- Email admissions reps with thoughtful questions about your fit and interests.
At public universities, these touchpoints help admissions officers differentiate among similarly qualified students and can essentially serve as a tie-breaker. At private colleges, interest can have a much bigger impact, direct impact on being admitted. For private schools it is critical to admit the exact number of students they need, and students who make their interest clear help that process.
Bottom line: It never hurts to reach out and to demonstrate your interest in a college. To have the most positive impact, make sure you’re doing so in a way that allows your potential future college to track it. Events you have to register for are best, and even things like opening their emails can help.