Why Demonstrated Interest Matters (and How College Visits Can Help You Stand Out)
Hey Juniors! 👋
If you're starting to think seriously about college (which you should be!), there’s something important you may not have heard much about yet: demonstrated interest. It might sound like college admissions jargon—and it kind of is—but it’s also a simple way for you to show colleges that you're not just casually browsing—you’re genuinely interested.
So, what is demonstrated interest? And how can you show it, especially as a junior? Let’s break it down.
What Is Demonstrated Interest?
Demonstrated interest is exactly what it sounds like—showing a college that you're interested in attending. Many colleges track your engagement with them, especially private schools or smaller institutions. Why? Because they want to admit students who are excited to be there and more likely to enroll if accepted. Showing interest can sometimes give you a small—but meaningful—boost in the admissions process.
Not all colleges track demonstrated interest (hello, UC and CSU systems 👋), but for the ones that do, your interactions matter.
How Can You Show Demonstrated Interest?
There are plenty of ways to do this, and starting now—your junior year—is the perfect time. Here’s how:
Visit the college (more on that below!)
Sign up for their mailing list
Attend info sessions or webinars
Open and click their emails
Follow them on social media
Meet with an admissions rep at a college fair
Email your admissions counselor with a thoughtful question
Apply Early Action or Early Decision (if it’s a good fit)
Every click, visit, and conversation can signal that you’re taking your college search seriously.
Why College Visits Matter for Demonstrated Interest
College visits are a double win: they help you figure out what kind of campus environment you want and they let the college know you’re checking them out.
When you go on a college visit and sign in for an official tour or information session, that college likely logs your visit in their system. Some schools even note when you visited and whether you followed up with a thank-you or application.
Tip: When you’re on campus, don’t just take the tour and leave. Snap a few photos, talk to current students, jot down what you liked (or didn’t). You can use these notes later for writing “Why Us?” essays—and you’ll sound more authentic.
What If You Can’t Visit in Person?
No worries! Colleges know that not everyone can travel. The good news is that virtual visits count, too. Attend a Zoom info session, do a virtual tour, or connect with a student ambassador online. Just make sure to register with your name and email so the college can track your participation.
Which Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest?
Here’s a quick list to give you an idea. These schools are known for factoring demonstrated interest into admissions decisions:
American University (DC)
Babson College (MA)
Boston University (MA)
Case Western Reserve University (OH)
Clark University (MA)
Elon University (NC)
Fordham University (NY)
George Washington University (DC)
Lehigh University (PA)
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Macalester College (MN)
Northeastern University (MA)
Providence College (RI)
Tulane University (LA) (very big on demonstrated interest)
University of Rochester (NY)
Wake Forest University (NC)
Wellesley College (MA)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – WPI (MA)
Colleges that typically don’t track it (so no pressure here!):
University of California system (all campuses)
California State University system
Harvard University
MIT
Stanford University
Yale University
Princeton University
University of Michigan
UNC Chapel Hill
💡 Pro tip: Ask an admissions rep directly: “Do you track demonstrated interest?” They’ll usually tell you!
Final Thoughts
As a junior, you’re in a great spot to start building relationships with the colleges you're interested in. Demonstrated interest won’t make or break your application, but it can be the edge that sets you apart—especially at schools that value it.
So go ahead—sign up for that info session, visit a campus over spring break, or send a quick email to an admissions rep. Every action you take now is a step closer to finding your future college home. 🦉✨
