Demonstrated interest (DI) is whether you've engaged with a school before applying — visited, attended info sessions, opened emails, interacted with admissions reps. Some schools track this; some don't. Understanding which schools track DI and how to manage it shapes your application strategy.
Which schools track demonstrated interest
Schools that explicitly track DI
- Tufts — heavily tracks DI.
- NYU — tracks DI across multiple channels.
- Northeastern — heavily tracks DI.
- BU — tracks DI.
- Wake Forest — tracks DI.
- Tulane — tracks DI.
- Emory — tracks DI to some degree.
- Case Western — tracks DI.
- American University — tracks DI.
- Lehigh — tracks DI.
- Many mid-tier private schools — check CDS Section C7.
Schools that DON'T track DI
- Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT — stated policy of not tracking DI.
- Most other Ivies (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Penn, Dartmouth).
- Most top LACs (Williams, Amherst, Pomona, Swarthmore).
- Most public flagships (Berkeley, Michigan, UVA, UNC) — too many applicants to track.
- Caltech — stated no-DI policy.
How to check
CDS Section C7: look for 'Level of applicant's interest' as a factor. If rated 'Important' or 'Very Important' — the school tracks DI. If 'Not Considered' — they don't.
How schools track DI
- Campus visits (most schools log visitor registrations).
- Information session attendance (virtual and in-person, logged by sign-in).
- College fair sign-ins (scanning your ID or signing the attendance sheet).
- Email engagement (opening emails from admissions, clicking links — tracked by CRM).
- Website activity (some schools track login to applicant portals, webinar attendance).
- Social media engagement (rare but some schools note it).
- Direct communication (emails to admissions reps, follow-up conversations).
- Application timing (EA/ED signals more interest than last-minute RD).
- 'Why us' supplement quality (specific vs generic signals engagement level).
What counts as strong DI
- Campus visit (strongest in-person signal).
- In-person information session attendance.
- Virtual information session attendance (with camera on, questions asked).
- College fair visit with sign-in.
- Specific, researched 'why us' supplement.
- Direct email to admissions rep after interaction.
- EA or ED application (timing signals commitment).
- Multiple touchpoints across channels (visit + info session + email + specific supplement).
What counts as weak or no DI
- Never visiting, attending info sessions, or engaging with admissions.
- Not opening emails from admissions (tracked by CRM).
- Generic 'why us' supplement that could apply to any school.
- Applying RD as last resort without prior engagement.
- No questions asked during virtual sessions.
- Not signing in at college fair visits.
Why DI matters at tracking schools
Schools that track DI use it as a yield predictor. Applicants who've engaged are more likely to enroll if admitted. Schools with yield concerns (those whose rankings or enrollment depend on yield rate) use DI to admit students who'll actually come.
The practical effect: at DI-tracking schools, two applicants with similar profiles where one has strong DI and one has none — the one with DI is more likely to be admitted.
How to manage DI across your school list
Step 1: Identify which schools on your list track DI
Check CDS Section C7 for each school. Note which ones rate 'Level of applicant's interest' as Important or Very Important.
Step 2: Prioritize engagement at DI-tracking schools
Visit if possible. Attend info sessions. Open emails. Sign in at college fairs. Write specific 'why us' supplements. Apply early if applicable.
Step 3: Don't waste effort at non-tracking schools
Harvard doesn't track DI. Visiting Harvard helps you decide if it fits but doesn't affect your admission chances. Don't prioritize DI engagement at schools that don't track it.
Step 4: Track your own engagement
Keep a spreadsheet of your DI interactions per school: date of visit, info session attendance, emails opened, college fair sign-ins, rep interactions. This helps you ensure DI-tracking schools have sufficient engagement.
DI for students who can't visit
Not everyone can visit every school. Alternatives that count:
- Virtual information sessions (most schools offer these; attendance logged).
- Virtual campus tours with registration.
- Email to admissions rep introducing yourself and expressing interest.
- College fair attendance (virtual fairs count at some schools).
- Specific, researched 'why us' supplement (always available regardless of geography).
- Engaging with school's social media or webinars.
Schools understand that not all students can visit. Virtual engagement is a legitimate substitute at most DI-tracking schools.
The equity concern
DI tracking disadvantages students who can't visit or engage due to financial constraints, geographic distance, or family circumstances. Some critics argue DI perpetuates socioeconomic bias in admissions. Schools are increasingly aware of this and many accept virtual engagement as equivalent to in-person.
Common mistakes
- Not engaging at all with DI-tracking schools. This is the biggest mistake.
- Assuming all schools track DI. Many don't. Check CDS.
- Visiting non-tracking schools to 'demonstrate interest.' Helpful for your decision but doesn't affect admission.
- Over-engaging (5 emails, 3 visits, 2 phone calls). This reads as anxious, not interested. 2-3 substantive touchpoints is sufficient.
- Not opening admissions emails. If a school tracks email opens, this is low-effort DI you're missing.
- Writing generic 'why us' at DI-tracking schools. The supplement is DI too.
- Not signing in at college fairs. If you visit the table but don't sign in, no DI is logged.
The bottom line
Demonstrated interest matters at some schools and not others. Check CDS Section C7 for each school on your list. At DI-tracking schools: visit, attend sessions, open emails, write specific supplements, apply early. At non-tracking schools: focus your engagement energy elsewhere. The students who manage DI strategically avoid yield protection and strengthen their candidacy at schools where it matters.