Katryna’s Corner: Demonstrated Interest
As your friendly college counselor, I feel that it is my job to remind you to Demonstrate Interest to all the schools on your list, but especially your target and likely schools. Remember the mantra: LEAVE YOUR FINGERPRINTS EVERYWHERE.
As we have said before — maybe more times than you wanted to hear it — colleges are very concerned with whether or not you like them. They will be more likely to admit you if they believe you will matriculate at their school. If your grades and scores are above average for a college or university, please do not assume you are a shoe-in. In fact, impressive stats make it even more important for you to Demonstrate Interest in a school.
The ultimate way to Demonstrate Interest is to apply ED. BUT, if you aren’t ready to make that commitment, here are some other ways.
For every school on your list, you must visit their website and register on the admissions page. There is usually a page that says "request information" or "get more info." Then you will be asked to fill out your name, year, areas of interest (discuss this with your application coach so it’s consistent). Once you have given them your email, they will keep track of your digital fingerprints on their page. Surf their website. Their software will keep track of how much you have explored their offerings. It will be kept in your virtual file. A little creepy, but true.
OPEN THEIR EMAILS! They will not know if you read them, but they will know if you opened them.
If you live within a 2-3 hour drive from a college, you need to schedule an in person visit- tour and info session, ideally. Make sure they know you were there.
Take a virtual tour of EVERY school you intend to apply to.
Do a virtual info session of any school that you didn't visit in person.
Connect with a student at every college—there is a section for this on the admissions page.
If the admissions rep comes to your school, meet them and be prepared to impress them. Prepare for it like you would an interview with your application coach — they can help you be clear and consistent with your story and pitch. What you say should mirror and complement your supplemental essay. Ask good questions and be your charming, awesome self. The rep who comes to your school is almost certainly the actual person who will be the first reader of your application.
If you go to a college fair, fill out a card with your name and email, even if they already have your email. Admissions rep say that they jot down impressions of students on the backs of these cards and then include them in the applicant's file. Be yourself. Express your interests when asked. And again, ask good questions and be your charming, awesome self.
If a school offers interviews, ask your application coach if they suggest you ask for one.
Craft an email to your admissions rep with your resume attached. There are a lot of strategies to use when doing this, so definitely work on this with your application coach!
Katryna and the team at Abigail Hillman and Associates
