The Secret to US College Admissions: Do You Know About ‘Demonstrated Interest’?
Greetings to all parents working tirelessly day and night for their children’s US college admissions!
It’s my greatest reward to help our children get into their dream universities amidst the rapidly changing college admissions policies each year. Today, I want to discuss a crucial factor that’s becoming increasingly important yet often overlooked: ‘Demonstrated Interest.’
How can your child effectively show they are truly interested in their desired university? Beyond just grades and extracurriculars, let’s delve into this subtle yet powerful admissions element that might just be the key to acceptance.
What is ‘Demonstrated Interest’ and Why is it Important?
The US college admissions process is a challenging journey where your child must prove their potential and value among countless applicants. Academic records, essays, recommendation letters, and various other factors are evaluated comprehensively. However, in recent years, admissions officers have been paying increasing attention to ‘Demonstrated Interest.’
Simply put, demonstrated interest refers to how actively a candidate engages with and shows passion for a specific university. Colleges don’t just want to admit academically strong students; they seek those genuinely ready to invest in their values, culture, and academic programs. This is because these admitted students are more likely to enroll. Universities highly value a metric called ‘Yield Rate,’ which indicates the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll. A higher yield rate enhances a university’s reputation and standing, so they prefer students who show high interest from the start.
Especially smaller private universities or those specializing in specific fields (e.g., architecture, engineering, ocean engineering) tend to weigh demonstrated interest more heavily to ensure applicants clearly understand the university’s educational philosophy and mission.
How Do Universities Measure ‘Demonstrated Interest’? – Common Data Set Analysis
So, how do universities measure and evaluate a student’s interest? This is where the ‘Common Data Set (CDS)’ comes in. The CDS is a standardized resource where US universities disclose various information, including admission criteria. In this data, ‘Demonstrated Interest’ is typically evaluated using four scales:
- ‘Very Important’: Indicates that demonstrated interest significantly impacts admission.
- ‘Important’: Means that demonstrated interest has a considerable impact on admission.
- ‘Considered’: Signifies that demonstrated interest is taken into account as a reference factor.
- ‘Not Considered’: Implies that demonstrated interest does not affect admission.
Many smaller private universities tend to rate it as ‘Very Important’ or ‘Important,’ but some larger public and private universities also consider applicants’ demonstrated interest a crucial factor. Since each university has different criteria for evaluating interest, it’s vital to check the CDS of the universities your child is applying to. (I’ll include a list of major universities that rate demonstrated interest as ‘Very Important,’ ‘Important,’ or ‘Considered’ at the end of this article, so be sure to check it!)
10 Strategies to Effectively Show Your Child’s ‘Demonstrated Interest’
Now for the most important part: How can your child effectively show genuine interest in the universities they are applying to? Use these 10 strategies to boost your child’s chances of acceptance:
- Campus Visits: If possible, there’s no better way than visiting the campus in person. Experience the campus atmosphere, attend information sessions, and take campus tours. It’s also crucial to talk to current students to get vivid insights into student life. This isn’t just about visiting; it’s powerful evidence of your child’s serious interest in that university.
- Information Sessions and College Fairs: Attend college fairs held in your local area or actively participate in online/offline information sessions hosted by each university. Meet directly with admissions representatives, engage in meaningful conversations, and ask prepared questions to show a deep understanding of the school. The information gained here can also be used in your child’s essays or interviews.
- Contacting Admissions: Don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office directly if you have questions. When emailing, maintain a professional and courteous tone. Beyond just getting information, communicating with the admissions office can itself be a way to show your child’s proactive interest. Be careful not to ask questions that are already answered on the website, as this can be counterproductive.
- Overnight Visits: Some universities offer overnight visit programs for prospective students. Participating in these programs allows your child to spend a night in a dorm, experience the daily life of a current student, and gain a deeper understanding of the campus culture. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate strong enthusiasm for the university.
- Leveraging Interviews: If a university offers an interview opportunity, be sure to participate. Interviews are valuable time for your child to directly explain their academic interests, extracurricular activities, and why they believe that university is the perfect ‘fit’ for them. A well-prepared and sincere response will leave a strong impression on admissions officers.
- Alumni Interviews: Some universities also offer alumni interviews. Through meetings with alumni, your child can learn about the positive impact the university has had on their graduates’ lives, which is also an important way to show interest. Alumni are the university’s strongest ambassadors, and a good relationship with them can positively influence the admissions process.
- Request Information & Email Engagement: Sign up for the mailing lists on the websites of universities your child is interested in to regularly receive school information. Opening emails from the university and clicking on embedded links to explore more about the school is also important. Some universities even track these online activities to measure demonstrated interest. It’s crucial to show active engagement, not just passive reception of information.
- Social Media Engagement: Follow the university’s official social media accounts and engage with posts in a positive and polite manner. This is a modern way to communicate with the university, stay updated on school news, and show that your child wants to be part of the school community.
- Demonstrated Interest Essays: Many universities require an essay as part of the application, often asking questions like “Why do you want to attend our university?” This essay is an excellent opportunity for your child to specifically explain why they are attracted to that particular university and what makes it special to them. Instead of simply saying “it’s a good school,” they should clearly articulate why this university is the perfect ‘fit’ for them by mentioning specific programs, faculty, clubs, research opportunities, and other concrete elements. This is one of the most powerful ways to show your child’s sincerity.
- Early Decision/Early Action Application: Applying Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) demonstrates a very high level of interest in a specific university. Especially Early Decision (ED) is a binding agreement where, if accepted, your child must enroll, so it should only be used for the one university your child truly wants to attend. ED often has a higher acceptance rate than regular decision, making it a very effective strategy if your child has a clear target university. In contrast, Early Action (EA) is non-binding, allowing your child to apply to multiple universities.
In Closing: Genuine Interest Opens the Door to Admission
In the highly competitive US college admissions landscape, ‘Demonstrated Interest’ is emerging as a crucial factor that can make an applicant stand out. While not all universities weigh demonstrated interest equally, students should be aware of its importance when applying to their dream schools.
By showing your child’s passion in a thoughtful and sincere manner through the strategies outlined above, you can significantly increase their chances of being accepted into their dream university. Remember, this is more than just making a good impression on admissions officers; it’s also about finding a university that perfectly aligns with your child’s passion, aspirations, and future goals.
I will continue to share useful and practical information to support parents and students in their successful college and overseas study journeys. I will be a reliable guide on your child’s path to the future.
[Resource] List of Key Universities that Highly Value ‘Demonstrated Interest’ in the Common Data Set
Colleges Rating Demonstrated Interest as “Very Important”:
- American University
- Cooper Union
- Dickinson College
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
- Ithaca College
- Quinnipiac University
- Syracuse University
- Thomas Aquinas College
- United States Air Force Academy
- United States Naval Academy
- Wabash College
- Webb Institute
Colleges Rating Demonstrated Interest as “Important” or “Considered”:
Allegheny College
Auburn University
Bates College
Bentley University
Butler University
California Baptist University
College of Wooster
Denison University
DePaul University
Eckerd College
Florida Institute of Technology
Kenyon College
Lehigh University
Loyola University Chicago
Michigan State University
Pratt Institute
Reed College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Roanoke College|
Roger Williams University
Seattle University
Seton Hall University
Skidmore College
Soka University of America
Susquehanna University
Trinity College
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Military Academy
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Wheaton College (MA)
(Please note: The list above is an example, and the Common Data Set is updated annually. For accurate information on a specific university, I recommend checking the Common Data Set section directly on the university’s official website or seeking assistance from a professional like myself.)
If you have any further questions regarding your child’s college admissions, please feel free to leave a comment! We’ll explore solutions together and help you find the best answers.
Thank you for reading!
Andy Lee
Elite Prep Suwanee powered by Elite Open School
📍 1291 Old Peachtree Rd, NW #127, Suwanee, GA 30024
🌐 eliteprep.com/suwanee
📧 andy.lee@eliteprep.com
📞 Tel & Text: 470.253.1004
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