Do colleges consider demonstrated interest?

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I've been researching different colleges. I came across the term 'demonstrated interest' and was wondering how much colleges actually take this into account during the admissions process. Does visiting a college or attending virtual events really make a difference? Thanks for any help!

Hi there! I can understand why you'd be curious about demonstrated interest. From my experience with my child's college application process, it seems that demonstrated interest can vary in importance depending on the college. For some institutions, it plays a significant role as it can show your genuine interest in attending that particular college. Visiting campuses, attending virtual events, and engaging with admissions representatives can definitely help in showing your interest. However, for other colleges, demonstrated interest might not be a major factor in their decision-making process. It's always a good idea to research each college's admissions policies to get a better understanding of how much weight they place on demonstrated interest. Regardless, it's never a bad idea to engage with the colleges you're interested in, as it can help you learn more about them and make a more informed decision. Good luck with your college search!