Mastering College Admissions: Unveiling the Power of Demonstrated Interest
Is Demonstrated Interest A Key Factor in College Admissions?
Embarking on the college admissions journey is like entering the world of relationships. Demonstrated interest, the concept we're about to unravel, is akin to letting someone know you're genuinely interested in them. In this case, we're talking about showcasing your enthusiasm for a college, not just because it's a top choice, but because you're genuinely invested in what it offers. There are two sides to this coin: expressing your passion for the institution itself and demonstrating your keenness for your intended major. Get comfortable as I delve into the world of demonstrated interest and equip you with strategies to ace it!
Expressing Fondness for the Institution:
What is Demonstrated Interest in an Institution? And Why is it Important?
In the intricate dance of college admissions, demonstrated interest refers to the various actions prospective students take to show their enthusiasm for a particular institution. It's like courting someone – you want to ensure they know you're genuinely interested and not just window shopping. By engaging in activities that display genuine curiosity, like campus visits, virtual sessions, social media interactions, and attending school events, you're proving that you're not treating this college as one among many, but rather as a potential partner in your educational journey.
Why is this important, you ask? Colleges and universities are invested in creating a vibrant, engaged student body. When they sense that you're enthusiastic about their offerings, it indicates that you're more likely to be an active and committed member of their community. Demonstrated interest can be a deciding factor, especially in cases where admissions decisions are competitive (below is a comprehensive list of how schools look at demonstrated interest). It showcases that you've done your homework, you understand what the institution stands for, and you genuinely want to be a part of it. Just as in relationships, colleges appreciate genuine interest and investment; they want students who will embrace and contribute to the campus culture. Demonstrated interest, therefore, can tip the scales in your favor during the admissions process.
1. The Campus Adventure: Think of visiting the campus as setting out on a promising first date. Engage in campus tours and participate in open houses. It's your way of saying, "I'm not just virtually interested; I want to experience what you're all about in person!"
Please Note: Going on an official college visit, scheduled through the admissions office is imperative here. If you just visit on your own or visit a friend who attends, they will have no record of that.
2. Social Media Engagement: Imagine this as keeping the conversation going after a great first interaction. Follow the college on social media, join their live sessions, and interact with their posts. It's similar to sending follow-up texts – you're showing genuine interest and keeping the connection alive.
3. Email Proficiency: Think about how much you love seeing all the likes and comments on your social media posts, just like you, Colleges track to see who has opened their emails. If you get an email from a college you are interested in, be sure to click on it.
Fueling Passion for Your Intended Major:
1. Heartfelt Application Essays: Consider these essays as heartfelt letters to your intended major. Share your journey, detailing how your past experiences have kindled your passion for the subject. Convey how the program aligns with your academic aspirations and why it's the perfect fit.
**If you need some help writing your essay, check out this blog post with a brilliant brainstorming activity.
2. Supportive Recommendation Letters: Think of these letters as testimonials from professionals who have witnessed your dedication. These recommenders can vouch for your genuine passion and commitment to your chosen major, much like friends who've seen you earnestly pursuing your interests.
Four Strategies to Showcase Your Genuine Interest:
1. Dive into Relevant Projects: Imagine yourself as an enthusiast delving into a captivating project. Engage in projects or research aligned with your intended major. Whether it's starting a coding club or volunteering in a biology lab, your proactive involvement speaks volumes about your passion.
2. Major-Centric Events: Picture these events as gatherings tailored to your favorite hobby. Attend information sessions and workshops that are specific to your intended major. It's like mingling with fellow enthusiasts and showing your dedication to understanding all aspects of your interest.
3. Initiate Meaningful Conversations: Consider sending emails to professors or department heads as initiating a genuine conversation with a mentor. By asking insightful questions and expressing your enthusiasm, you're showcasing your genuine interest and desire to learn.
4. Major-Specific Engagement: Think of these events as attending a party hosted by a friend you're interested in. Participate in major-specific events to gain deeper insights. It's a fantastic opportunity to network, learn, and demonstrate your sincere commitment to your chosen field.
To sum it up, demonstrated interest is like nurturing a budding connection. By partaking in campus visits, staying engaged on social media, crafting passionate essays, and participating in major-related activities, you're proving your genuine commitment.
Remember, authenticity is key; colleges appreciate applicants who are genuinely passionate and invested. So, embrace your unique interests, showcase your enthusiasm, and set the stage for a strong connection with your dream college. It's akin to the excitement of discovering shared interests with a potential partner – here's to your journey toward college success!
I hope you’ve found this helpful and I wish you the best of luck in the application process. If you are looking for more information, please visit my website- Higher & Hire. If I can be of assistance to you, please reach out to me here.
Many Thanks!
Valerie Palmer
List of Colleges that Track Demonstrated Interest
If a school tells you it considers demonstrated interest as a factor in admissions, believe it! This list is not comprehensive and subject to change. Please check the website of each school. Our source of information is The Common Data Set issued by each school.
Demonstrated Interest = Very Important:
American University
Cooper Union
Dickinson College
Hampshire College
Ithaca College
Morehouse College
Quinnipiac University
Syracuse University
Thomas Aquinas College
United States Air Force Academy
United States Naval Academy
Demonstrated Interest = Important:
Allegheny College
Auburn University
Bates College
Bentley University
Butler University
DePaul University
Eckerd College
Elon University
Fairfield University
Florida Institute of Technology
High Point University
Kenyon College
Lehigh University
Loyola University Chicago
Michigan State University
Oglethorpe University
Reed College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Roanoke College
Seattle University
Seton Hall University
Skidmore College
The College of Wooster
Trinity College
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Military Academy
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Wheaton College (MA)
Demonstrated Interest = Considered:
Agnes Scott College
Babson College
Bard College
Barnard College
Baylor University
Beloit College
Berea College
Boston University
Bradley University
Brandeis University
Brigham Young University
Case Western Reserve University
Catholic University
Chapman University
Clark University
Colby College
College of Charleston
College of the Holy Cross
College of William and Mary
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Connecticut College
Cornell College
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Denison University
DePauw University
Drew University
Drexel University
Duke University
Fordham University
Franklin & Marshall College
Furman University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Gettysburg College
Gonzaga University
Goucher College
Grinnell College
Hamilton College
Haverford College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hofstra University
Howard University
Juniata College
Kalamazoo College
Knox College
Lafayette College
Lake Forest College
Lawrence University
Lewis & Clark College
Loyola University Maryland
Marietta College
Marist College
Marquette University
Middlebury College
Mount Holyoke College
Muhlenberg College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Oregon State University
Pitzer College
Providence College
Purdue University
Rhodes College
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Louis University
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Sewanee: University of the South
Simmons College
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern University
Spelman College
St. Olaf College
Stevens Institute of Technology
SUNY, Binghamton University
SUNY, Stony Brook University
Swarthmore College
Texas A&M University
Trinity University
Tufts University
Tulane University
Union College
United States Coast Guard Academy
University of Central Florida
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Missouri, Columbia
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of North Texas
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Portland
University of Puget Sound
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of Texas at Austin
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin
Ursinus College
Villanova University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington and Lee University
Washington University in St. Louis
Wellesley College
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wheaton College (IL)
Whitman College
Whittier College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Xavier University
Yeshiva University
Demonstrated Interest = Not Considered:
Albion College
Amherst College
Arizona State University
Belmont University
Bennington College
Berry College
Birmingham Southern College
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
California Institute of Technology
California Poly, San Luis Obispo
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Centre College
Claremont McKenna College
Clemson University
Colgate University
Colorado State University
Columbia University
Cornell University
CUNY, Baruch College
CUNY, Brooklyn College
CUNY, City College
CUNY, Hunter College
Drake University
Earlham College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emerson College
Emory University
Florida State University
Georgetown College
Georgetown University
Georgia State University
Harvard University
Harvey Mudd College
Hendrix College
Hope College
Indiana University
James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University
Kettering University
Loyola Marymount University
Macalester College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Miami University
Millsaps College
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Mississippi State University
North Carolina State University
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Penn State University
Pepperdine University
Pomona College
Princeton University
Ripon College
Rockhurst University
Rutgers University
Saint John’s University (MN)
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
Scripps College
Smith College
Stanford University
SUNY, Purchase College
SUNY, University at Buffalo
Temple University
Towson University
University of Alabama
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Cincinnati
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Houston
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Maine
University of Maryland
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Minnesota
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri, Kansas City
University of Montana
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Oregon
University of Redlands
University of San Francisco
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of St. Thomas (MN)
University of Utah
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Washington State University
Wesleyan University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Williams College
Yale University
