What is Demonstrated Interest and Why Does It Matter?

Colleges want more than strong grades and test scores—they want students who are genuinely excited about becoming part of their campus community. That’s where demonstrated interest comes in.  

Demonstrated interest refers to the ways a student shows a college that they are engaged, curious, and intentional about their application, whether through campus visits, virtual events, emails, or thoughtful supplemental essays. In an increasingly competitive admissions landscape, understanding how and when to show interest can help students stand out and signal that they are not just applying, but truly invested. 

Examples of demonstrated interest include: 

• Visiting a campus and taking an official tour 

• Taking a virtual tour online 

• Emailing your regional admissions counselor with any questions you have 

• Attending a program-specific information session (in person or virtual) 

• Meeting with admission representatives visiting your high school 

• Attending a college fair 

• Interviewing with an admission officer 

• Watching webinars on the college website 

• Signing up for the college’s mailing list 

• Attending summer/pre-professional programs at the college 

• Attending an open house event 

• Talking about a personal visit/experience with a school in a supplemental essay 

• Highlighting school-specific programs, classes, research opportunities, or organizations in a supplemental essay 

• Following schools on Instagram, TikTok, or X 

Some schools care more about demonstrated interest than others, depending on the size of the university and level of selectivity.  

Whether or not a college officially tracks demonstrated interest, the activities outlined above are valuable opportunities to learn more about each school, determine whether it's a good fit, and make informed decisions about where to apply.