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Resources
A school's measure of how likely you are to enroll if admitted. At the schools that track it, getting it wrong can cost you the admit. At the ones that don't, hours of effort go to waste.
Sign in at the admissions office. Both in-person and virtual visits get logged. If you can't visit, attend a regional info session in your city.
ED is the single strongest signal of interest you can send. Reserve it for your true #1 — but if a tracked-DI school is your top choice, ED is non-negotiable.
Most schools track email opens via tracking pixels. When you receive emails, open them — even if you skim. Click at least one link per email.
A generic supplement is a negative DI signal. Reference specific courses, professors, traditions, and clubs.
Both in-person and virtual sessions get logged. Many schools host webinars throughout the year — sign up early and actually attend.
Email a thoughtful, specific question (not 'what's it like there?'). Ask about a program, course, or research opportunity. Keep it short — 4 sentences max.
Sign up junior year, not senior fall. The longer you've been on the list, the stronger the signal.
Get your barcode scanned and ask one specific question. Follow up with a thank-you email afterward.
Not tracked by admissions, but it keeps you informed about events and deadlines. Don't overdo it.
Reach out via LinkedIn or AdmitHub-style chatbots. Not tracked, but it gives you genuine material for your 'Why Us' essay.
Some scholarships require separate applications. Applying signals serious interest — and may be tracked.
Schools' DI policies change year to year. The most reliable signal is still applying ED to your true first choice and writing a strong school-specific supplement. Don't turn DI into a stalking exercise — quality contact beats quantity every time.
Interview Prep
Interviews are a high-weight form of demonstrated interest. 22 real questions with what to say and what to avoid.
Prep for interviewsSupplemental Essays
A strong “Why us?” supplement is the single highest-weight demonstrated interest signal. See prompts from top schools.
Read the promptsCreate your free profile and get a personalized demonstrated interest checklist for your college list.