How much does demonstrated interest matter in admissions?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about demonstrated interest lately. I'm not sure how much it really matters when applying to colleges. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! I can understand why you might be curious about demonstrated interest, as it's a topic that often comes up during the college application process. From my experience with my own child who recently went through the college admissions process, I can tell you that it does matter, but it depends on the college and their specific admissions policies. Some colleges place more weight on demonstrated interest, while others don't consider it at all. Demonstrated interest can include things like attending college fairs, visiting campuses, participating in virtual events, and reaching out to admissions officers with questions. These actions can show a college that you're genuinely interested in attending, which can be a positive factor when they're making their decisions. However, it's important to remember that demonstrated interest is just one piece of the puzzle, and other factors like your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays will also play a major role in the admissions process. So, while it's good to keep demonstrated interest in mind, make sure you're also focusing on the other important aspects of your application. Good luck!