By Erin Avery, D.Min.
Through the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, I was privy to a webinar covering the illusive topic of Demonstrated Interest (or DI) in the college admissions process. In light of COVID-19 and its impacts on college admissions, I share the following that I have gleaned.
WHAT EXACTLY IS DI?
DI is a way to get to know the colleges on your list. You should know what is unique about each institution and become an “expert” in the colleges to which you intend to apply. Demonstrating interest in a college is a way to distinguish yourself by showing, versus just telling, that you have done some research, perhaps visited campus (actual or virtual) and you are interested in getting to know the college thoroughly. Finally it can be a way to stand out in the admissions process. Of course, how you present yourself in the application is what matters the most. DI will not get you in alone. But a few high-quality engagements are enough to demonstrate authentic interest and possibly move the needle.
This is what DI is not: DI is not a requirement. It’s also not a competition. Finally, it is not the only factor in the admission process.
As an Ivy-League graduate and educational consultant of 20 years, I am familiar with the term “stealth applicants,” those students that have no prior touch points with a college until they submit an application. These stealth applicants infuriate colleges. Where has this applicant been all this time? If we admit them, how likely are they to come? Stealth applicants are not winning DI extra credit. This can impact the final round in selective college admissions.
HOW CAN STUDENTS USE DEMONSTRATED INTEREST?
Students can show a college that they are genuinely interested by authentically engaging with the college, doing activities that help the student get to know a college and equally, DI is how a college can get to know you. Some common examples are visits, interviews (if offered), website engagement and reading emails from colleges. Opening emails shows that you are attempting to learn something about that institution. By doing so, an applicant is showing that he or she is interest- ed enough to take the time to do so.
Did you know that you can connect with current college students and counselors via email, text and phone? Simply call the college admissions office and inquire. Emily Petersell, associate director of admission at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, said, “I love hearing from students in my territory to answer their questions. That shows me that the student wants to explore Trinity and is taking an interest in my college.”
Writing school-specific supplemental essays is another way to demonstrate interest. The Common Application or the Coalition application are universal so you can apply to many colleges. There are often optional essays on the supplement which show that you are paying attention and put yourself in the position to answer that question and have interest and are engaging authentically. Take the time to research and show what’s unique about that college and what makes you a good fit for that college. Engage with various opportunities to learn more about the college when you are emailed by that college. Some colleges even track how many times a student visits a certain page on the website.
Look beyond the virtual tour. Explore if colleges on your list offer a virtual fall open house, or a panel discussion with current students. Colleges are getting very creative about virtual sessions, so look to see if a college is offering an engineering session, or whatever matches your interest.
HOW DO COLLEGES USE DEMONSTRATED INTEREST?
Colleges use DI to help determine the student’s likelihood of enrollment. Colleges want students who want them. They ponder, “Do you want to be a part of this? Are you really interested? If I admit you, how likely are you to come?” Selective colleges and universities are not just asking who’s qualified to come, but who will say “yes” to them? This is referred to as “yieldability.” And yes, yield modeling is a thing. Colleges also use such historical data as geography and financial aid offers of past students in their predictive yield models (think Naviance and Scoir on steroids.)
But remember, all colleges use DI differently. For example, if there is a mandatory interview, DI is built into the process. A college might track event registrations, for internal use for improving future events, but it’s not a factor in the admissions considerations. Trinity does use DI in the “application read” phase. Like many liberal arts colleges, they read holistically: grades, recommendations, transcripts, etc. “Is this a student we have heard from before?” and “Has this student emailed me before?” are questions that may be posed.
Some colleges look at DI in the committee process. After all applications have been read, there will be many more qualified students than they can take. There may be 10 applicants for one spot left. A college admission counselor may ask, “Have we heard from any of them? Who seems most excited about our school? We want to give the opportunity to the most enthusiastic student.”
So be a knowledgeable college applicant. Seek out authentic engagement rather than attempt to game the system. Enjoy the self-discovery journey that is the college search and application process. Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” So trust your gut and be a good college consumer.
Erin Avery is the author of “The College Labyrinth: A Mindful Admission Approach” (March 2020) and her educational consulting practice founded in 2003 is based in Fair Haven, serving both a domestic and international clientele. She teaches aspiring educational consultants through UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education.
This article originally appeared in the Oct. 15-21, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
