What is Demonstrated Interest & Why Is It Important

Wed, July 17, 2024 11:30 AM

When it comes to the college admissions process – Demonstrated Interest may impact your students’ chances of getting admitted into their dream school. So, what is it?

It is the ability for a student to truly show some love to the colleges they are considering applying to. In other words, convincing each college that they are your student’s number one school.

What you may not know is that big brother is watching – many colleges are using sophisticated software to track every connection applicants make with their school. Some colleges are trying to meet their admissions numbers so tracking prospective applicants helps to improve the colleges chances of actually having your son or daughter commit to their school. For the most selective/rejective colleges, it lets them focus their attention on students who are really serious about their school and in that competitive environment, every connection counts. This means they track every email that is opened, the amount of time spent on websites, whether students visit their campus, etc.

One way Demonstrated Interest can be accomplished is by having your son or daughter reach out to the Admissions Representative(s) who visit their high school or the region where you live. The fact is, making these connections is better than doing nothing at all. Students should do their research and then take action if they discover that Demonstrated Interest is indeed something the colleges they are planning to apply to in the fall take into consideration when making their final admissions decisions.

Another idea to improve your students’ chances of getting noticed and possibly admitted to their future college – have them send “thank you” emails to Admissions Representatives they meet at college fairs or when these individuals do an in-person visit to their high school. Encourage them to sign up for the newsletters for these colleges, and even apply Early Action/Early Decision (EA/ED) in the future. Applying this way can also improve your students’ chances of getting admitted at many colleges.

Please remind your student to open all the emails their top colleges send out to them. They need to understand that email is the chosen communication tool used by many colleges and yet this generation of students often forget to check their email which can cost them in the long run. Help your student stand out in the sea of applicants; encourage them to check out and follow colleges on social media. All of these little things add up and can help your student be remembered for all the right reasons.

College and Beyond LLC specializes in helping students and parents navigate their way through every aspect of the college process. College expert, Dan Bisig, will help your student pick the right colleges, at the right price, pursue the right college major or career path, so they can graduate right on time! With the right support and proven strategies, every student can find a path to success.