WHAT IS DEMONSTRATED INTEREST?
As an aspiring college applicant, it is important to focus on institutions that align with your interests and where you have a strong chance of admission. At the same time, colleges seek students who are not only qualified but also genuinely interested in attending. Demonstrating interest can set you apart from other applicants, showing admissions officers that you are serious about becoming part of their community.
But how can you effectively convey this interest? From campus visits to engaging with admissions representatives, there are several strategies to make your enthusiasm clear. Let’s explore the best ways to demonstrate interest and strengthen your college applications.
Let's learn about what is demonstrating interest and why is it important for you as a college applicant.
Demonstrating Interest
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DEMONSTRATE INTEREST
1 . Start Online: Start by visiting the college website and creating a student account. As you begin to receive updates from the college, it helps you learn more about the place. Use this time to explore more colleges, browse their social media and start engaging with them.
2. College Visits: College visits can help you effectively demonstrate your interest to admissions officers. Research what to expect from an in-person tour, as attending an official visit signals your enthusiasm and commitment to the school. Beyond visiting in person, take advantage of opportunities to connect with admissions representatives when they visit high schools in the fall. Attending these sessions, asking thoughtful questions, and following up can reinforce your interest and leave a lasting impression.
3. College Fairs: College Fairs are time-saving opportunities for students and offer a great chance to explore lots of colleges in one place. Check the NACAC website for dates and venues on college fairs. Many colleges now also offer online fairs, making it easier to connect no matter where you are. Attending a reasonable number of fairs and engaging meaningfully with representatives can help strengthen your application by demonstrating your enthusiasm for their institution.
4. Follow Up: After an interaction with a representative from a college on your list, send them a follow-up email.
FOR SENIORS: DEMONSTRATING INTEREST AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
In addition to the above discussed ways to demonstrate interest, students can also email an admissions committee member at the university
Be careful not to overdo it, but you can justify a communication to someone in the admissions committee if you have some news to add to your application/applicant profile (something that happened recently that was not reported when you submitted your app). Also, specific questions about some pieces of information that might not be easily found online could be valid.
IMPORTANT: You are only advised to email the admissions committee if you have genuine updates.
