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Demonstrated Interest is your college application secret super power!
It is a metric that college use to track:
1. How much you like their school
2. How likely you are to enroll if they accept you
In recent years, application numbers have soared. Back in the days when we all used flip phones, seniors applied to 2 or 4 schools. The average number of applicants submitted per students is steadily rising, with many submitting 15+. That makes it much harder for schools to predict their yield, aka whether or not the students they accept will enroll.
Demonstrating interest let's a college know that they're not just a random school you added to your Common App. They're special.
It's a way to level up your application AND it's easy to do! Bonus points is that it helps you learn more about a school along the way so you can make an informed decision.
The percent of admitted students choosing to enroll has fallen dramatically across all types of colleges except elite institutions.
Source: New York Times article, "Don't Fall for the Rigged College Game" by Jeffery Selingo
Demonstrating interest doesn't mean buying expensive plane tickets to California or New York.
There are so many free, easy ways to show a college you're serious!
Level One: Request Info
Level One: Request Info
Sign up for Mailing Lists
Sign up for Mailing Lists
Go to the admissions page of every college on your list and fill out their basic contact form. This officially puts your name into their tracking database.
Open their emails and CLICK
Open their emails and CLICK
Many colleges use tracking software to see if you open their newsletters and how long you spend reading them. If a college you love sends you an email, open it and click a link!
Follow them on Social Media
Follow them on Social Media
Like, follow, and engage with their official undergraduate admissions pages on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
Level Two: Make Contact
Level Two: Make Contact
Fall Rep Visits
Fall Rep Visits
When college admissions counselors visit Senn, go talk to them! Fill out their inquiry cards. The person visiting our high school is almost always the exact regional representative who will read your application first.
Click the button below to learn more
College Fairs
College Fairs
Go to local city-wide college fairs, walk up to the booths of the schools on your list, and make sure you sign in.
Senn has a College & Career Fair in mid- March every year.
There's a city wide NACAC fair on Navy Pier in the fall.
Learn what to do at College Fairs below
Send an Email
Send an Email
Find your admissions rep online. Send them a quick hello to express your interest! Bonus points if you include something you're interested in and ask a genuine question that you can't find the answer to online.
Important! Big schools like UIUC, UIC, UW-Madison do not care about demonstrated interest and don't want to receive emails like this unless you have a genuine question
Level Three: Go All In
Level Three: Go All In
Apply Early
Apply Early
Applying Early Action (non-binding) or Early Decision (binding) is the ultimate way to demonstrate interest. It tells the school: "You are my top priority, and I have my act together enough to apply early."
Read more about application deadlines below
Visit Campus
Visit Campus
Officially register for a campus visit so it will count as demonstrated interest. Google, "School Name + campus visit" and they will likely have a visit page with a calendar that you can sign up on.
If you can't do an in person visit, sign up for a virtual visit! Many colleges offer virtual info sessions and student panels.
Colleges also have funds to help underrepresented students visit college campus for free!
Learn more about Fly In Programs & Campus Tours below
Write a Great "Why This College" Essay
Write a Great "Why This College" Essay
When a school asks you why you want to attend, do not give a generic answer about their ranking or the weather. Click deep into their website. Find a specific class syllabus, a specific professor's research, or a unique student club that only exists at that school.
Show that you care enough to do the research
Find more tips on writing this essay on the Essay section of the website
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