How important is demonstrated interest?
should you email admissions? visit? stalk their instagram?
if you’ve been anywhere near college application advice, you’ve probably heard the term demonstrated interest. you might’ve wondered:
“wait, do they really track if i clicked on their email? do i actually have to visit campus to get in?”
spoiler: it’s real… but it’s not everything.
60% of colleges track demonstrated interest, and 20% consider it to be a significant factor in admissions decisions.
let’s break it down: what demonstrated interest actually means, what colleges care about, and what you should (and shouldn’t) do.
🎓 what is it?
demonstrated interest = the ways you show a college that you’re genuinely interested in them.
this can include:
visiting campus (in person or virtually)
attending info sessions or college fairs
following official social media
opening (and clicking!) their emails
writing a thoughtful “why us” essay
interviewing (when offered)
reaching out to admissions with real questions
🧠 why do colleges care?
colleges want students who are excited to be there—not just students who use them as a backup.
why? because:
higher yield (the % of admitted students who enroll) makes colleges look better in rankings
students who want to be there often do better and stay longer
it helps them predict which offers are likely to be accepted
🏛 who tracks it most?
not every college cares.
small private colleges: often track demonstrated interest carefully
some mid-sized universities: many, especially those just outside the super-elite tier, use it to gauge yield
most highly selective schools: usually don’t track it formally—because they get more interest than they can handle
always check each college’s admissions page to see if they mention “demonstrated interest.” if they do, they track it! you can also look up “common data set [insert college here]” to find a set of info on what they do track.
✅ how to do it well if your college tracks it
write a genuine, specific “why us” essay (don’t just copy/paste! if your “why us” essay sounds like it could be for any other college, rewrite it!)
attend an official info session or virtual event—and make sure to sign in if applicable
if you have thoughtful questions, email admissions (keep it brief and respectful; don’t ask something you could just google to find out)
follow social media and explore what they share (great for essay ideas too)
❌ what not to do
spam admissions officers with random questions they already answer on their website
send gifts or gimmicky stuff (please don’t mail cupcakes)
pretend to be interested in a major just to look good
stress over every email click or think they’re reading your mind
✏️ bottom line
demonstrated interest isn’t a magic password.
it’s one of many ways to show you’re serious about a college—but it won’t save a weak transcript or replace thoughtful essays.
be authentic. explore what genuinely excites you. and yes, open their emails—but don’t overthink every click.
because in the end, the best demonstration of interest is simply this:
showing them, through your choices and words, why you’d actually love to be there.
fun fact:
honey never spoils.
archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old—and still perfectly edible.🎆 weekly dose of opportunities 🎆
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 🥤
a prestigious scholarship program awarding 150 high-achieving high school seniors each year. recipients gain financial support, leadership development, and lifelong networking opportunities.National Mock Trial Championship ⚖️
a premier legal competition where high school teams prepare and present cases in courtroom simulations. students develop skills in law, public speaking, and teamwork through local and national contests.JCVI ICLEM Research Program 🔬
a summer internship through the Joint BioEnergy Institute for high school students interested in bioengineering. participants conduct hands-on research in sustainable energy and synthetic biology.FRIB High School Programs: PAN 🧪
a program from the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams offering interactive learning and research projects in nuclear science for high school students.U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program (NASS) ⚓
a selective summer program where high school students explore engineering, math, and science at the U.S. Naval Academy while experiencing academy life.
⭐ college spotlight: The University of Chicago (UChicago) ⭐
🗽 first impressions:
founded in 1890, the university of chicago is famous for its rigorous academics, gothic architecture, incredible supplemental essays, and a culture that genuinely loves asking big questions. nestled in the hyde park neighborhood of chicago, it combines urban energy with a historic campus known for its libraries, quirky traditions, and intellectual intensity.
⭐ rating factors:
campus vibe: deeply intellectual, a bit eccentric, and unapologetically academic; students embrace debate, theory, and humor (often at the same time).
academics: world-class programs, with many students double-majoring; known for the core curriculum that ensures a liberal arts education for every student.
student life: more balanced than its intense reputation may suggest.
location: hyde park offers a diverse feel with downtown chicago just around the corner.
cost of living: moderate for a major city; campus dining/housing keep things affordable, though.
🎉 cool events/traditions:
scav hunt: legendary annual scavenger hunt famous for bizarre, creative, and sometimes borderline impossible tasks.
free ice cream wednesdays: yes—students can grab free ice cream on campus, turning midweek into a mini celebration.
latke-hamantash debate: a playful academic debate where professors argue (humorously) over which jewish food is superior.
💡 core school values:
intellectual rigor: encouraging students to challenge assumptions and engage deeply with complex ideas.
freedom of inquiry: protecting the right to ask hard questions, explore controversial topics, and debate openly.
community engagement: connecting academic learning to real-world impact, especially in the city of chicago.
🎓 program highlights:
the college’s core curriculum: a shared academic foundation that crosses disciplines.
booth school of business: globally top-ranked, with strengths in economics, analytics, and finance.
pritzker school of molecular engineering: influential in the burgeoning field of microengineering.
pritzker school of medicine: known for research and innovative clinical care.
🎯did you know?
the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction (part of the manhattan project) took place under the stands of uchicago’s old football stadium in 1942.
***special note: we are NOT sponsored or affiliated with any organizations, corporations, or schools highlighted in the above content. mention of any of the aforementioned groups is not representative of an advertisement or any sort of recommendation.***