Does demonstrated interest play a role in college admissions?

Hi there! I've been researching colleges, and I've come across the concept of demonstrated interest. I was wondering how much of a role this plays in the admissions process. Should I be visiting campuses, signing up for newsletters, and attending virtual events to show my interest? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hello! I can understand why you'd be curious about the role of demonstrated interest in college admissions. From my experience with my child's college application process, demonstrated interest can indeed play a role in admissions at some schools. However, it's important to note that not all colleges consider demonstrated interest in their decision-making process. For the ones that do, showing interest in various ways can be seen as a positive factor.

Visiting campuses, signing up for newsletters, and attending virtual events are certainly some ways to show your interest. However, you don't have to go overboard with these activities. The most important thing is to genuinely engage with the colleges you're interested in and to make informed decisions about which institutions would be a good fit for you. I would recommend reaching out to admissions representatives with any questions you may have about the school, as well as connecting with current students or alumni to get a better sense of campus life.

Ultimately, while demonstrated interest can be a factor in admissions, your academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities are the primary components that colleges will evaluate. Good luck with your college search!