Your Interest Matters to Colleges
You would think it’s enough to simply submit an application. But in this day and age, you also have to demonstrate your interest in a school is sincere. Thus, demonstrated interest.
Your application, interviews, tours, and other means of “getting to know you” are just that– the beginning of your relationship with the college you will eventually attend. Making the extra effort to demonstrate your interest will pay off. Here’s why and how.
What is Demonstrated Interest and Yield Rate?
Demonstrated interest is a way for students to exhibit their serious consideration of specific colleges.
Universities are concerned about their yield rate, which is the percentage of accepted students who ultimately decide to attend. A higher yield makes a college more selective. Since this increases tuition revenues, colleges are constantly working to improve their yields. Most colleges do track demonstrated interest; however, more selective colleges do not.
Here are six tips for how you can show your genuine interest in colleges.
Tip #1:
Visit Universities
Visiting universities will help you compile information and first-hand experience that can later be used to write compelling “why here” essays in applications.
By visiting universities, you can get a strong sense of what life would be like academically, socially, and personally. You can also gain insight into the programs and extracurricular activities that make colleges unique.
Students and their parents should sign up for official campus information sessions and tours to record attendance.
While on a tour, take the opportunity to ask questions and learn about student life from their tour guides, who are usually current students. It is wise to take notes as you identify courses, majors, programs, and activities of interest. You’ll thank yourself later.
Tip #2:
Join University Social Media and Mailing Lists
You might not be able to visit all the schools you are interested in, so joining universities’ Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts is an indication of interest. It is also a good idea to sign up for admissions mailing lists from college websites to receive emails and mail, which keep students informed.
Tip #3:
Make Personal Connections with Admission Representatives
High schools often hold college fairs or information sessions where admissions representatives from colleges across the country attend to talk about various aspects of their universities and the admissions process.
By attending these events, you can gain incredible knowledge about what specific universities are looking for. You should participate with a list of prepared questions and meet admissions representatives if possible. (This means–shaking their hand and looking them in the eye. Any semblance of a relationship is a good start).
We highly recommend sending a thank you note to show gratitude and interest.
Tip #4:
Prepare for Interviews
Interviews during the admissions process are optional at many universities, so you may opt to skip them, but it’s best to participate and be prepared if you are interested in the college. The interviews are usually somewhat casual, but you should get ready by writing a list of questions ahead of time and be able to speak about your interests and future goals if admitted. All this will add to a robust and sincere conversation.
It is important to send a follow-up note or email to your interviewer.
Tip #5:
Write a Compelling “Why Here” Essay
“Why here” essays in college applications should be executed thoughtfully.
Spending time researching the school will help you craft authentic essays, which will show the application reader why the school is an excellent fit for you. In addition, the essays should have specific information explaining why that university is a place where you can see yourself thriving. (Here, you can use the notes you took during your on-campus tour)!
Tip #6:
Apply Early Action or Better Yet, Early Decision
One of the most substantial ways to demonstrate interest is by applying EA or ED. Since these deadlines are set months before Regular Decision, the school knows that the student prioritizes their institution enough to submit their application early.
Apply All Six Tips to Make an Impact on Your Chances for Admission.
These tips are ways to establish that you have a sincere interest in a university. But, fair warning–simply following a university’s Instagram account or strolling around a college fair is not going to get anyone very far. By applying all of these tips together, the admissions officer will know that you are a great addition to their yield and their school.
