How to Demonstrate Interest In a College
When considering applications, universities are not simply looking for strong, stand-out candidates. They are also considering the likelihood of applicants attending their school if accepted. Colleges are very keen on maintaining a high yield rate: the percentage of accepted students that actually attend the university. How can you prove to a school that you would attend if admitted?
By demonstrating interest. About 40% of schools factor demonstrated interest into their admissions decisions, making it an essential part of your application package.
Here are some ways to demonstrate interest and increase your odds of being accepted:
1. Attend a Campus Tour
Attending a campus tour or info session is an incredibly effective way to demonstrate interest in a school. Make sure that you:
Register for each tour in advance to ensure that you are in the admissions office’s system when they later review your application.
Prepare some thoughtful questions for your tour or info session. This shows you are a serious applicant and also opens up the door for connecting with tour guides who are usually current students.
Want to stand out even more? Scheduling a one-on-one meeting with an admissions counselor can help set you apart as a serious candidate and show how brilliant you are through thoughtful questions.
2. Demonstrate Interest Online
Unable to attend an in-person tour? Not to worry; demonstrating interest can easily be done with a few clicks on your computer:
Schedule a virtual meeting with an admissions counselor.
Fill out an interest form on the university website.
Or, request information with a personal email.
These steps will also add you to important mailing lists to keep you up to date with admissions events and announcements.
Also, like and subscribe to the university’s social feed. Many schools keep track of which applicants are interacting with their social media and requesting information.
3. Contact Your Local Admissions Counselor
Look for your local admissions counselor on each school’s admissions website. Craft a brief but thoughtful email, to “pitch” yourself and say why you are interested in attending that school.
Be sure to include a few specific questions-- questions with answers that cannot easily be found with a quick Google search.
For example, “As a history buff, I really enjoy interacting with archival documents hands-on. Does the library have a large archival collection, and do undergraduates have access to this collection?”
This is great preparation for interviews, so keep track of what you come up with!
4. Seek Out Local Admissions Events
Oftentimes, schools will send admissions representatives to hold admissions events, speak on panels around the country, or conduct virtual info sessions over Zoom. These events are yet another great opportunity to introduce yourself, make contact with admissions, and of course, to ask all of those thoughtful and impressive questions!
Really make yourself stand out by sending a follow-up email to the admissions representative expressing your gratitude and asking any further questions.
5. Apply Early to the Schools You Care About Most
Applying early decision (EA/ED) is the strongest way an applicant can demonstrate interest in a school.
Smart applicants can maximize their chances of acceptance by putting a lot of thought into which school/schools they are applying to early. Applying ED is a decision that involves a lot of strategy, so if you are feeling overwhelmed, check out this article or schedule a free consultation with us.
6. Cater Your Application and Essays to Each School
Finally, when it comes time to complete your application and write your supplement essays, be sure to demonstrate all of the school-specific information you have gathered through campus tours, info sessions, speaking to admissions counselors, and the school’s online resources.
Schools will know an applicant is interested if they have put in the time to research exactly why they want to attend their school, and if they have a clear idea of how they would contribute to the school’s student body.
So, don’t recycle essays between schools! Make specific, intentional choices in your applications and write a strong “Why” Essay that shows that your interest is unique and grounded in tangible reasons.
In Conclusion…
Even if you are unsure whether you would want to attend a certain school if admitted, it is important to demonstrate interest in each school you apply to in order to optimize your chances of being admitted (even your safety schools). Safeties might be hesitant to accept a strong applicant if they don’t think there’s a good chance that applicant will actually attend if admitted.
Demonstrating interest takes a lot of effort, time, and patience, but Revolution’s college counselors are here to help every step of the way. Schedule a free consultation today!