Demonstrated Interest: What Actually Matters and What's a Waste of Time

"Demonstrated interest" has become an anxiety-inducing concept for college applicants. The truth is more nuanced: it matters enormously at some schools, not at all at others, and the ways it's measured often surprise families.

Where Demonstrated Interest Matters (and Doesn't)

Schools where demonstrated interest typically DOESN'T matter:

• Most Ivy League schools
• Stanford, MIT, Caltech
• Large state flagship universities
• Schools with acceptance rates below ~15%

These schools know everyone is interested. They're overwhelmed with applications and lack capacity to track individual engagement.

Schools where demonstrated interest typically DOES matter:

• Schools ranked 20-50 in most rankings
• Liberal arts colleges (many track extensively)
• Schools with acceptance rates between 20-40%
• Schools building name recognition

These schools use demonstrated interest to predict enrollment yield—they want to admit students who will actually attend.

What Schools Actually Track

The tracking can be surprisingly comprehensive:

• Email opens and click rates
• Website visits (yes, they can tell)
• Event attendance (virtual and in-person)
• Campus visit registration
• Interview scheduling
• Application timing (early vs. regular)
• Social media engagement (at some schools)
• Communication with admissions staff

Not all schools track all of these. Research your specific schools' practices.

What Actually Demonstrates Interest

Effective demonstrations of interest share a common feature: they require effort and reflect genuine engagement.

High-value demonstrations:

• Visiting campus and taking an official tour
• Attending admitted student programs
• Having meaningful conversations with current students or faculty
• Applying Early Decision (strongest signal)
• Writing "Why Us" essays with specific, researched details
• Engaging substantively with regional admissions representatives

Low-value demonstrations:

• Mass email list subscriptions
• Generic social media follows
• Passive website browsing
• Form-letter inquiries
• Attending information sessions without engagement

The "Why Us" Essay as Demonstration

At schools that track interest, the "Why Us" essay is scrutinized for evidence of genuine research. They're looking for:

Surface-level research (weak):

• Mentioning location, campus beauty, prestige
• Referencing programs available at dozens of schools
• Generic language about "community" or "opportunities"

Deep research (strong):

• Specific professors whose work interests you
• Particular programs or courses unique to this school
• Traditions or aspects of culture that resonate personally
• How specific resources connect to your goals
• Evidence of conversations with students or alumni

The "Why Us" essay should make clear that your interest is in this specific school, not in schools generically.

The Regional Representative Strategy

Most schools assign admissions representatives to geographic regions. These representatives:

• Read applications from their region
• Remember students who engage meaningfully
• Advocate for students they've connected with

Building a genuine relationship with your regional rep—through visits, emails, events—can provide a meaningful advantage. But the relationship must be substantive, not transactional.

The Early Decision Signal

Applying Early Decision is the strongest possible demonstration of interest. It communicates:

• This school is your clear first choice
• You've done enough research to commit early
• If admitted, you will attend (binding commitment)

ED acceptance rates are typically higher than regular decision rates, partly because of this demonstrated commitment.

However, ED should only be used if you're certain about your first choice and the financial aid situation is manageable. Using ED strategically without genuine preference can lead to regret.

The Interview as Demonstration

Schools that offer interviews treat participation as a demonstration of interest. Declining an interview when offered can count against you.

More importantly, the interview itself is an opportunity to demonstrate:

• Genuine enthusiasm for the school
• Knowledge of specific programs and opportunities
• Thoughtfulness about fit
• The kind of contribution you'd make

A strong interview can compensate for other gaps in demonstrated interest.

The Waitlist Calculation

If you're waitlisted, demonstrated interest becomes critical. Schools use waitlists partly to gauge who really wants to attend. Post-waitlist communication should:

• Reaffirm your interest clearly
• Provide updates on achievements since application
• Specify that you'll attend if admitted (if true)
• Be persistent without being annoying

Students who actively demonstrate interest from the waitlist are significantly more likely to be admitted than those who simply wait.

What to Do with Limited Resources

Not everyone can visit every campus or attend every event. If resources are limited:

1. Prioritize demonstrated interest for schools where it matters most
2. Use virtual options when in-person isn't feasible
3. Compensate with exceptional "Why Us" essays
4. Build email relationships with regional representatives
5. Apply Early Decision to your true first choice

Quality of engagement matters more than quantity. Deep research and a compelling "Why Us" essay can substitute for campus visits.

The Authenticity Imperative

Here's the uncomfortable truth: the best way to demonstrate interest is to actually be interested. If you can't articulate genuine reasons for wanting to attend a school, either:

• Do more research until you find them
• Question whether you should apply there at all

Manufactured interest is transparent to experienced readers. Genuine interest is palpable. The former wastes everyone's time; the latter creates matches that benefit both student and institution.

Demonstrated interest isn't a game to be gamed—it's information schools use to build classes of students who actually want to be there. Approach it authentically, and the process works as intended.