How to Use Demonstrated Interest to Your Advantage

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How to Use Demonstrated Interest to Your Advantage

When admissions officers are deciding who they want to attend the college they represent, one factor that can make or break a student’s chances at many schools is demonstrated interest. This somewhat nebulous but nonetheless important term seeks to answer a basic question to the process: how clear have you made it that you love the schools high on your list and in what specific ways have you shown it?For seniors who have submitted their early applications or are about the tackle their regular decision apps, demonstrated interest can be the very thing that tips the scale in their favor. Juniors and younger students can begin the process of building relationships with their schools of interest too, setting themselves up for success come senior year. Highly selective schools like Reed College and Tufts University track demonstrated interest as a way to protect their yield rates—the percentage of admitted students that matriculate. Unlike low acceptance rates, which bolster the reputation of colleges for being competitive institutions of high-demand, low yield rates are unwelcomed. They require colleges to admit more applicants to fill their class and could skew the demographics of the student body, making some populations over or underrepresented.As the process of applying to college becomes easier, with the advent of platforms like the Common App, yield rates across the nation are declining. So, when you show a college that you are excited to attend their campus, they will feel more confident in their decision to accept you over other equally qualified applicants.The gold standard for demonstrated interest is applying under the early decision plan, but there are other great ways to court a school. Read on to learn more tried and tested strategies!

Fill Up the Contacts Section

Some schools have a contact section in the Common App where applicants can list up to 10 ways they’ve learned about them. You can choose from a drop-down menu of options, with items like college visits, website, social media, talking to current students, and counselor recommendation, among others. Students often don’t realize they can report more than one because you have to click the “Add Another” link at the bottom of the drop-down menu to do so. Don’t miss this easy opportunity! Include as many options as can be applied to you and check out the college’s website, social media, and other online pages so you could add those in as well.

Schedule Interviews

Be proactive and research the interview process for each college—some may set you up with an alumnus living in your city and others may have you Skype with a current student or admissions officer. Whatever your options are, sign up as soon as possible because slots can run out fast.In addition, when given the option to interview in the fall or the spring, we recommend the latter because you likely will have more free time to prepare and a stronger sense of why you want to attend their school.

Connect with Your Admissions Officer

Most colleges assign an admissions officer (AO) to be in charge of reviewing applications from different regions in the United States, or around the world. You can often look up the AO who will read your application through a simple Google search or by reviewing the admissions staff directory.If you have a campus tour lined up, send your AO an email to introduce yourself and inquire about whether you can meet him in person. Make sure to write a thank you note after your visit to your guide and other admissions staff who helped you. Beyond making a positive impression, some schools even add students’ emails to their applicant files.

Attend Admissions Events in Your Hometown

Admissions officers often travel to the region they’re in charge of during the fall to host open houses, presentations, and evening events for families to learn more about their college. Take advantage of these opportunities!Even if you have already visited the campus, showing up to local events can reiterate your interest in the school. And for those of you that did not have the time or resources to visit a particular campus, these events can be your chance to make a great first impression on the person who will read your application.Read more about how you can be a standout student when your AO comes to town and ways you can effectively communicate with him or her.

Speak with Current Students or Alumni

Check in with your friends, teachers, and college counselors to see if anyone can connect you with a student attending your college of interest. You could also ask your parents whether they know alumni from the school.Another option is to give the admissions office a call and ask them to connect you. Tell them you are excited about their academic offerings and want to learn more from a student studying what you hope to major in. Be courteous, grateful, and kind. It’s not guaranteed they’ll meet your request, but it can’t hurt to ask. At the very least you’ll show yourself to be a proactive and interested student.

Optimize Why Essays

Why College essays can make or break your application. If a school takes the time to ask why you’re interested in applying there, give very specific and well-conceived reasons.Writing these can be tricky because what draws you to a school may be something you feel rather than something you know. But colleges want more evidence than just a gut intuition.Touring their campus, talking to current students, exploring their website, and collecting data from multiple avenues will give you good material to work with. When you sit down to write, reflect on stories from these experiences. Did a current student say something compelling? Did you resonate with the tour guide? Is there a class you’re excited to take?The answers to these questions can pave the way for a compelling Why This College Essay.

Put in Double Effort for Local Schools

If your top choice schools happen to be nearby, go the extra mile of demonstrating your interest. Colleges that are local to you likely see a higher number of applicants from your region, making admissions more competitive. Most of these students have likely toured the campus and talked with multiple students and alumni from the school.The bar is high for the level of contact you should have with the college so do your due diligence. Visit the campus (multiple times if possible), attend information sessions led by your admissions officer, and research unique reasons for why you belong at that campus.

Stay Curious and Engaged

At the end of the day, demonstrating interest requires thoroughly researching a college to figure out whether it is a good fit for you. Most students only take a shallow dive into learning about schools that catch their eye because going deep takes time and careful effort. Stand out from the crowd by approaching your research process with serious intention.Be open about schools that you have not heard of. Take pictures of your favorite places when you visit colleges; jot down detailed notes about what specific qualities you like in a school; and keep track of the people you talk to. Ask your admissions officer thoughtful questions that show you have a firm grip on their college’s offerings. Express your gratitude to people who help you along the way.As you stay engaged and actively seek to learn about a college, you will not only demonstrate interest but also step closer to finding a campus that is just right for you.The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us

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