Tracking Demonstrated Interest at Colleges?

I'm hearing a lot about 'demonstrated interest' being a factor in college admissions. How significant is this? Specifically, does Duke track demonstrated interest? What are some effective ways to show my interest in a school?

Demonstrated interest can indeed play a role in the college admissions process for some schools, but the weight it carries varies greatly depending on the institution. Essentially, it's an indicator of how keen a student is to attend a particular college, and schools may look at it as an estimate of whether an admitted student is likely to matriculate.

As for Duke University, it's important to note that demonstrated interest is not a significant factor in their admissions process. Like many other highly selective institutions, Duke receives a high level of interest from many qualified applicants, so they don't need to rely on demonstrated interest to predict their yield.

That said, showing genuine interest in a school can still be beneficial, especially when it comes to crafting strong essays or impressing during an interview. You can demonstrate your interest by attending virtual info sessions, reaching out to current students or faculty members, participating in online chats, and engaging with the university on social media. Remember that it's crucial to keep your interactions respectful, sincere, and professional.

However, the most potent way to exhibit your interest in a school is through your application itself: your essays and your explanation of why you believe the college is a good fit for your goals and interests. Being able to articulate what you find appealing about the school and how you envision yourself contributing to their community can go a long way in making your interest apparent.

To sum it up, while demonstrated interest isn't a deciding factor at Duke or many other top-tier schools, showing genuine interest can still help you better understand the school and could positively influence your application materials.