✉️Once you submit your ED applications, don’t assume your job is done. Certain schools track demonstrated interest—here’s everything you need to know ✍️

What is Demonstrated Interest?

📌Demonstrated interest measures how excited a student is about attending college and is one-way colleges assess an applicant's likelihood of attending. Showing interest in a school goes beyond telling your admissions officer how much you love the school, there are so many other factors at hand.

🔎Here’s the inside scoop on how admissions officers measure demonstrated interest...

✨Email Tracking and Ping Data✨

💻 Admissions officers know when you open their emails, how many times you’ve opened them, and how long you spend on their website. Open your emails and learn more about the programs you are applying to!

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Not only does it help you figure out if the school is a good fit, but it also shows officers that you are actively engaging with communications.

✨High School Visits & College Fairs✨

🗺️ Admissions reps travel every fall and spring to meet prospective students face-to-face. When these reps travel, they visit high schools and attend college fairs. Attends these visits and fairs if you can. 

WHY THIS MATTERS:

These officers are taking time out of their busy schedules and trying to connect with you in person. Connecting with these officers is especially beneficial for those who can’t attend an in-person campus visit immediately.

✨Inquiry Cards✨

✏️ When you meet an admissions rep at a college fair or your high school, they’ll probably hand you a little card asking you for information. Colleges collect these inquiry cards which help them keep track of the students who interact with them while their reps are on the road. Fill out these inquiry cards! And if the person at the booth forgets to hand you one, ask them for one.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Colleges keep track of applicants who fill out these inquiry cards, so demonstrate interest by filling them out. Additionally, submitting an inquiry card counts as a contact and the alerts you get will give you even more chances to show interest throughout the application cycle.

✨College Visit Registrations✨

📋 Colleges take note of when you register for a visit, attend a visit, cancel for a visit, and no-show for a visit. This information is visible to the staff when they’re making an admissions decision. Cancel your visit if you can’t attend. Campus coordinators spend a lot of time setting up personalized visits, so a no-show leaves a bad impression.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Taking the time out of your day to register and attend college visits shows that you are interested in learning more about a college. A campus visit is also an opportunity for you to get a firsthand view of the college. A catalog, website, or brochure can only show you so much, a college visit can also help you decide if you want to attend the school.

✨Know your Admissions Counselor✨

📣 Interact with your admissions counselor! Admissions counselors are responsible for students in specific states and regions and there’s usually a tool for you to find your admissions counselor on the college’s website.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Your admissions officer is your biggest advocate, but they can only really vouch for you if they’ve gotten to know you

✨Application Round Status✨

⏳ Apply earlier if you can! One of the first pieces of information admissions officers see is when you apply to the school.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Apply as early as possible because waiting until the last minute could be perceived as “This student is only applying as an afterthought.”

💡 Colleges use and define demonstrated interest differently, and it’s not a make-or-break factor in admissions decisions. It’s always good to do more research about demonstrated interest for each school! 🍀