Demonstrate Interest From Your Couch: The College Curators’ Admissions Advice

What is Demonstrated Interest? Simply put, colleges are trying to gauge how likely you are to enroll if they admit you. Some schools use demonstrated interest as a factor when making admissions decisions. With so many applicants worldwide, it is important to show schools that you know about them and you are serious about your intentions to attend. Check out this list of schools that track demonstrated interest.

Since no schools are offering tours at the moment, it’s actually easier than ever to show demonstrated interest. You don’t even have to get off the couch. Here are 10 ideas:

1. Request information. Visit the websites for each of the schools you are interested in and register your email and other requested information. More than ever, schools are tracking prospective students’ activity on their website. For an in depth analysis see this Washington Post article, Colleges Quietly Rank Prospective Students Based on Their Personal Data.
2. Open Emails. If a school to which you are applying sends you an email, be sure to click on it.
3. Get Social: Participate in social media interactions by joining schools’ Facebook and Instagram pages. Like posts. Be aware, however, when you are engaging in social media with these universities, they are not your online friends. Interactions should be much more formal.
4. Be Specific. In your supplemental essays, be sure to include information that is specific to that institution. Use this information as it relates to your particular interests. Scour the schools’ websites and see if there are any classes or professors who share your passions.
5. Check out virtual summer programs. Your favorite university likely has moved its summer program online and many application deadlines have been extended.
6. “Visit” and Connect. If colleges visit your school be sure to attend the visit (be it in person or virtually). Be sure to take virtual college tours and keep your eyes open for online college fairs this fall.
7. Participate in alumni interviews. Many schools these days offer in person and online interviews. We recommend participating in any way you can.
8. Thank Everyone! Please remember to thank everyone with whom you interact. Do not to send anything in the form of gifts or gimmicks — your words are enough. You do not want to cross the line between demonstrating interest and becoming a nuisance.
9. Proofread all your communications. Need we say more?
10. Choose Early. While it is difficult and not always possible, the best way to show a school your demonstrated interest is to apply Early Decision or Single Choice Early Action.