Day Three: What Does "Demonstrated Interest" Mean?

Demonstrated interest is the quality and or quantity of interest that a student shows in a particular school.  This can be accomplished through a visit to a college, coming to events in that are put on by the college when they are close to you, stopping by their booth and filling out an information card, emails (both sending to the college, and reading the ones they send you), or learning as much as you can about the college and asking questions that are things you want to know more about because of what you learned by doing the homework.  Colleges use this information to determine who is a good bet to offer admissions to.  You see, colleges really want to have as many admitted students actually enroll in their college.  If the college worries about your true desire to attend their college, they may see it as a safer bet to go with someone who does really want to attend.  Sometimes demonstrated interest can be a plus in your column, as long as it is well thought out and not overdone.  Some admissions offices track actual numbers of instances where the student has demonstrated interest, though that trend is waning in its use.  Though tracking the number of "touches" is not as much of factor, it is impossible to deny the power of a positive memory or first impression that is tied to an applicant.  

This lends itself to some good suggestions that should be use as guide rails to make sure that you neither over do it, under do it, or generally make a poor impression.

1. Do not become the student who has mom or dad do your correspondence with an admission officer.  This leaves the impression that they are getting a student who needs supervision and cannot handle responsibility.

2. Read emails!! Students do not read emails typically, but much of the correspondence to a student from an admissions office is to request items that are missing and otherwise keeping their file from being evaluated. Once again, not a good impression if you do not read emails.  By the way, the admissions officer has the ability to see if you have opened an email on their end.

3. Don't be a stealth applicant.  A stealth applicant is someone who has made no "touch" (visit on campus or at a college fair, emailed to request information, etc.) with a college admission representative.  It is a general rule that you ought to be able to tell your parents the name of the admissions representative who handles your school before you apply.  You will have gotten that through some correspondence or meeting.

4. Do not email the admissions rep. weekly to tell them how bad you want to go to their college.  This is an overkill and makes you memorable for the wrong reason.  Please email the admissions person when you have a well thought out question that pertains to something about that school that you need to know in order to make a college decision.  On the same line, DO sign up to see the admissions representative when they are going to be at your school.  DO make a visit to the campus with a curious and open mind that takes in what that college is all about and can search out answers to questions in that vein.  

5. Be aware that these "touches" are designed to benefit your knowledge base to help you answer the "Why (insert college name here)?" essay question that many colleges use on their application.  Be ready to say why Auburn, UGA, Berry, Swarthmore, etc.  From what you learn from the website, a visit, a brief conversation with your admissions rep., your answer will demonstrate your intense interest in a way that makes the right impression.

Another big day today, and I have some great sessions to attend.  Signing off.