Resources
Demonstrated Interest
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.
Schools that TRACK demonstrated interest
- Vanderbilt UniversityConsidered
- Boston CollegeConsidered
- Boston UniversityImportant
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityConsidered
- George Washington UniversityConsidered
- Northeastern UniversityImportant
- Tulane UniversityImportant
- American UniversityImportant
- Lehigh UniversityImportant
- Worcester Polytechnic InstituteConsidered
- Wake Forest UniversityConsidered
- Syracuse UniversityConsidered
- University of MiamiConsidered
- Tufts UniversityConsidered
- Case Western Reserve UniversityImportant
- University of RochesterConsidered
- NYUConsidered
Schools that DON'T track
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- MIT
- Caltech
- Columbia University
- Brown University
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Northwestern University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Chicago
- UPenn
- Dartmouth College
- Most public universities (UC system, Texas, Florida, etc.)
Tier 1 — Trackable signals (highest weight)
Visit campus (in-person or virtual)
HighSign 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.
Apply Early Decision
HighestED 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.
Open every email from admissions
HighMost schools track email opens via tracking pixels. When you receive emails, open them — even if you skim. Click at least one link per email.
Submit a strong, school-specific 'Why Us' essay
HighA generic supplement is a negative DI signal. Reference specific courses, professors, traditions, and clubs.
Tier 2 — Engagement signals
Attend admissions info sessions
MediumBoth in-person and virtual sessions get logged. Many schools host webinars throughout the year — sign up early and actually attend.
Connect with your regional admissions officer
MediumEmail 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 for the school's mailing list early
MediumSign up junior year, not senior fall. The longer you've been on the list, the stronger the signal.
Attend a college fair where the school is present
MediumGet your barcode scanned and ask one specific question. Follow up with a thank-you email afterward.
Tier 3 — Soft signals
Follow the school on social media
LowNot tracked by admissions, but it keeps you informed about events and deadlines. Don't overdo it.
Engage with current students or alumni
LowReach out via LinkedIn or AdmitHub-style chatbots. Not tracked, but it gives you genuine material for your 'Why Us' essay.
Apply to specific scholarship programs at the school
LowSome 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 promptsWant a personalized DI checklist?
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