You have your heart set on your top choice school. You know the football team’s fight song by heart, you’ve memorized the Alma Mater, and you’ve (prematurely) loaded up on merch from the supply store. That’s great, but it’s a little like having a crush on someone who doesn’t know you exist. You know you’re interested—they don’t.
According to a study done by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 33% of admissions counselors cite demonstrated interest as being a more important deciding factor for student admission than work experience or an interview.
What is Demonstrated Interest?
Plain and simple: It’s showing you care. Let’s take it back to the crush analogy. Unless you put yourself out there and show some enthusiasm, you’re not likely to land a date with that cutie in your math class. Likewise, admissions counselors want to know you’re serious about attending. If you’re on the fence, and have made no effort to show an interest, the admissions board may very well choose a more enthusiastic student over you. Why? Students who are excited about attending a school will be a positive asset to that school, and they are less likely to transfer.
How Can I Demonstrate Interest?
Attend a College Fair. This often the first step in building a relationship with a school. Think of it as breaking the ice with your crush. Talk to admissions counselors at the fair, and ask specific questions that show you’re genuinely interested. Make sure to get their contact information—you’ll want to stay in touch.
Get Connected. Most schools are active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow the colleges you’re interested in on social media, and interact with them by liking and sharing posts. This is also a great way to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the school. Be careful though- make sure your social media profiles are college-appropriate. You wouldn’t want your crush to see something embarrassing!
Take a Tour. Let’s liken this to going on a first date. Probably the best way to let a college know you’re interested is by showing up on campus. Schedule a tour, and make sure to get the most out of it. Ask questions that are relevant to you and your tentative major. BONUS: Some colleges will waive application fees for students who tour their campus. It’s like having your sweetie pay for your dinner!
Apply Early. Don’t leave your crush waiting! Sending in your application well before the deadline shows the school they’re a priority for you, not a last-minute thought. This will also help you avoid getting stuck on the waiting list at schools with rolling admissions.
Follow Up. This is the, “I had such a great time!” text after your first date. It might seem like overkill, but following up really is important. Taking five minutes to send a thank you letter to your admissions counselor or campus tour guide is a great way to show you care. Not only is it polite, but it’s also a way to help your name stick out in the minds of admissions decision-makers.
Showing a school you care doesn’t have to be hard- especially if you’re genuinely excited about the prospect of attending. Just follow our advice, and soon your college crush will have heart eyes for you, too!
“The students I am able to build relationships with and assist during the admissions process are the ones who have expressed interest early. Knowing your recruiter is absolutely crucial, because we can answer your questions quickly or get you to someone who can. Responding to our communication through email or phone is one of the best ways we know you are interested in attending our institution.” - Ryan Cole, Admissions Officer at Troy University
“I sit on scholarship committees, and I will vouch for students that have reached out to me during the year. I have been able to help many students get jobs on campus, apply for scholarships, join organizations, etc. because they took the time to talk to me.” - Jade Wagner Chappell , Admissions Officer at Jacksonville State University
Source: https://www.nacacnet.org/globalassets/documents/publications/research/soca_chapter3.pdf
