Overview
Some colleges factor your engagement into admission decisions. Knowing which schools track this helps you be strategic!
How to Find Out
- Google "[School name] demonstrated interest"
- Check the school's Common Data Set (Section C7)
- Look at the admissions FAQ
- Ask directly at info sessions
Schools That Typically Track It
Many private colleges: Tulane, Wake Forest, Boston University, Syracuse, Northeastern, American, Lehigh, Case Western, many liberal arts colleges
Schools That Don't Track It
All Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UC system, most large state universities
Ways to Demonstrate Interest
- Register for mailing lists with your real email
- Open and click on college emails
- Attend info sessions (virtual or in-person)
- Visit campus (sign in!)
- Meet with admissions reps
- Complete optional interviews
- Write detailed, school-specific essays
Reassuring Note
For schools that don't track it, you can still engage authentically — it helps you write better essays and make informed decisions!