In a competitive admissions landscape, many students are asking: How can I show colleges that I’m genuinely interested? The answer lies in something admissions officers call demonstrated interest — and while not every college tracks it, many do. If you're applying to selective or smaller schools, knowing how to effectively demonstrate interest can give you a meaningful edge.

What Is Demonstrated Interest?

“Demonstrated interest” refers to the ways a student shows a college that they are seriously considering attending. This can range from visiting campus to opening emails to interviewing with admissions reps.

Basically, colleges are businesses just like any other and as such, keep track of both students (its current clients), prospective students (potential clients), as well as alumni (former clients). The goal? Not just to sell a product, of course, but to ensure they are able to recruit and accept the best and brightest, as well as students who are most passionate about what their college has to offer. 

Why does this matter? Because colleges care about yield — the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. A student who’s shown consistent interest is often seen as more likely to attend, which makes them a more attractive admit.

Does Demonstrated Interest Actually Matter?

Yes — but not at every school. Highly selective schools like the Ivies or Stanford typically do not track demonstrated interest. However, many top liberal arts colleges, private universities, and regional schools do factor it into their holistic review.

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, over 40% of colleges say demonstrated interest plays a role in admissions decisions. Some schools — like American University, Tulane, and Lehigh — have been especially transparent about its importance.

How Do Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest?

Colleges can (and do) track:

• Whether you’ve opened or clicked on their emails
• If you’ve registered for (and attended) virtual or in-person events
• Campus visit logs
• Interview participation
• Application timing (e.g., applying Early Decision)
• Whether you’ve engaged with their admissions office

Some schools even use customer relationship management (CRM) software to create a “digital record” of your engagement — meaning the more authentically you interact, the more they notice. The good news is that a lot of the items on this list are quick, easy, and even free to complete! 

Should You Visit in Person?

If you can — yes. An in-person visit gives you a feel for campus culture and signals strong interest. Be sure to register for the tour officially so they have a record of your visit. While there, take notes, attend a class if possible, and ask thoughtful questions. These small efforts can later enrich your "Why This College?" essays.

That said, many students can’t travel for visits — and colleges know this. Luckily, there are other meaningful ways to demonstrate interest.

What If You Can’t Visit a College in Person?

There are plenty of effective alternatives:

• Attend virtual information sessions, student Q&As, or department-specific webinars
• Sign up for the admissions mailing list and open their emails
• Follow the school on social media and engage with posts
• Reach out to your regional admissions officer with a thoughtful, specific question
• Participate in a virtual tour or online student panel
• Request to speak with a current student through an ambassador program

Some colleges also track how long you spend on their website — especially on pages like financial aid, academic departments, or campus life. So clicking around with intention can matter more than you think. Additionally, this can also help you gain more clarity on whether you want to apply to this school and can also enrich your supplemental essays later on! 

Should You Contact People on Campus?

Absolutely — just do it strategically.

• Your regional admissions officer: This is your most important contact. Email them to ask a question that can’t easily be answered on the website. Express genuine interest, not just generic praise.
• Current students: Ask to be connected through the admissions office or through campus ambassador programs. Their insights can be gold — and sometimes even mentioned in your application.
• Professors: Reach out if you have a specific academic question — especially if you’re applying to a major that requires faculty input (e.g., music, design, engineering). Keep your messages concise and professional.

Final Thoughts

Demonstrated interest isn’t about “gaming” the system — it’s about engaging with schools authentically. Colleges want students who are genuinely excited about what they offer. Whether you’re attending in person or logging in from halfway across the country, showing that excitement clearly, consistently, and sincerely can make a real difference.

Need help building your college list — and figuring out when and how to engage? AtomicMind's advisors can help you create a strategy for standing out at every school on your radar.

About the Author: Dylan is a Head Advisor at AtomicMind based in Southern California. He graduated from Stanford University with a major in International Relations and a minor in French. His passion for learning and education shaped his current endeavor of helping students design their own unique path to college, which he does in addition to his hobbies of hiking, traveling, and reading.