High school students and their parents thinking about college admissions have probably heard quite a lot about demonstrated interest. But do you know what it’s all about and where it matters most?
Read on for where demonstrated interest has the biggest impact…it might not be what you think– 
What to know about demonstrated interest
In college admissions, demonstrated interest is the term used to describe the actions that a prospective applicant can take to communicate their level of interest and investment in a college. These actions can include what you may think of right away– visiting a college, completing an official tour or information session, attending a representative visit at the high school, completing an interview, or visiting the college’s table at a fair. Completing strong, thoughtful, and well-supported supplemental essays or short answer responses is another action applicants can take to show colleges they are serious. This list also includes actions you may not think of that are becoming increasingly digital in nature – signing up for a college’s email list, opening the email the college sends, clicking the links within that email, and tracking the amount of time spent on different pages within the college’s website are all in play in modern admissions.
Why does demonstrated interest matter? 
While many colleges are overwhelmed with application numbers these days, this is not universally true at all colleges. And, as the average number of applications a single student submits increases, even those institutions that are receiving more applications than ever before are extremely focused on one thing: yield. The core charge of the admissions office is not just to admit the most highly qualified class possible, but to ensure that they accurately plan for and predict how many of those admitted applicants will yield a deposited and enrolled student. Because of this, colleges are using more sophisticated predictive analytics and enrollment management systems to determine which applicants are likely to enroll in the school.
Where does demonstrated interest matter least? 
If you’ve been thinking that demonstrating interest is most important at your top choice colleges, it might be time to think differently. Many of the most selective colleges, including all eight Ivies, officially state that they do not track demonstrated interest at all. There’s two reasons for this. For one, these institutions simply don’t have to: they yield the highest rate of admitted applicants around. Secondarily, these institutions have come to recognize the privilege and financial burden of costly cross-country college visits and have deprioritized these to remove barriers for low and middle income applicants. They can afford to do so. So if you’ve been thinking that planning that trip to breathe in the fall air in New Haven is a must do, you might want to reevaluate.
Where does demonstrated interest matter most?  
Rather than focusing on your big reach schools or those extremely selective colleges, the most important place to show love to the colleges on your list are those in your possible and likely ranges. The colleges you think might be ‘backup’ options for you are exactly the ones that are highly skeptical about how serious you are. Now, is a public institution in your home state with an acceptance rate above 70% likely to take you without showing them any special attention? Probably so. However, those colleges that are competitive but are likely to be turned down by admitted applicants who receive offers of admission from bigger name or ‘more prestigious’ institutions are increasingly attentive to an applicant's level of interest. Taking time to show up for the representative visit to your high school, attend a virtual info session, or mind the way your digital habits are communicating your level of investment can be important factors at a college that wants some assurance that you are not just putting them in a ‘backup’ role. These schools do turn down highly qualified applicants who they think are unlikely to yield, so be sure to show some love to the colleges you might be most likely to overlook.
TBU Advisors are experienced in supporting students to navigate their college choices and personal best fit. Our passion is helping you make a plan that takes the overwhelm out of the process, empowers you to become your own best you, and puts your best self forward in your applications.
If you’d like to explore working with a TBU Advisor, get in touch here and we will look forward to connecting with you.
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