Want to Get Into Your Dream School? Show a Little Love.

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Feeling discouraged about one of your top-choice schools? Here’s something small, but real, you can do: show demonstrated interest.

Is it a golden ticket?

No. But admissions officers are human. And humans notice when someone’s actually paying

attention.

Think of it like dating:

👉 If you ignore their texts, skip their events, and forget their name in your essay…don’t expect a second date.

Colleges don’t want to be your backup plan. They want to admit students who might actually say yes.

And here’s the kicker: some colleges track this stuff. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, over 40% of colleges say demonstrated interest matters in their decisions. That includes schools like Tulane, American, Lehigh, and Case Western.

🎯 How to Show Interest (Without Being Weird)

✔️ Open their emails. Click the links. (Yes, they can track it.)

✔️ Follow on social. Liking a post isn’t creepy. Sliding into DMs with random questions? Maybe.

✔️ Join a virtual info session or tour and ask a thoughtful question (not “what’s the food like?”).

✔️ Email your regional rep with a specific question—not something easily Googled.

✔️ Write an authentic “Why Us?” essay. Mention professors, programs, clubs, or opportunities that connect to your goals.

✔️ Apply Early Action if it’s a fit. It signals genuine interest without the commitment of Early Decision. 

✔️ Visiting in person? Sign in. Ask questions. Fill out the “contact card.” It all counts.

⚠️ Does This Matter Everywhere?

Nope. The big-name schools (Ivies, MIT, UCs) don’t care if you camp outside their admissions office. They know they’re everyone’s top choice. They don’t track interest.

However, for many schools trying to predict yield, especially small to mid-sized privates, your interest can tip the scale.

💡 Bottom Line

You don’t need to become a fan account. You need to show you’re paying attention because even colleges want to feel wanted.

👀 Want help building your teen’s demonstrated interest plan?📬 Book a free 30-minute consultation today, and let’s create a strategy that might just boost their chances at a dream school.