Getting on college mailing lists - do they know you?

I've been signing up for college mailing lists, but do they actually know who I am and track my interest? I'm hoping it might boost my chances of acceptance. Has anyone found these mailings helpful in the admissions process?

Colleges send out mailings to prospective students to raise awareness about their programs, events, and other opportunities. That said, merely being on a college's mailing list does not typically translate into a significant advantage in the admissions process. This is because these mailings are sent to a broad pool of prospective students and doesn't necessarily indicate a demonstrated interest on your part, which is what colleges look at.

Demonstrated interest is the tangible ways you show a school that you're interested in them—something beyond just signing up for information. This can include attending college visits, open houses, or events, setting up an interview, connecting with admissions officers, or including specifics about the school in your essays.

One thing the mailing list can do is keep you informed about opportunities to demonstrate interest. For example, if a school you're interested in is hosting a virtual info session, you'd likely receive that information through their mailing list. You can then attend that session, which does count as demonstrated interest.

Remember, each college views demonstrated interest differently. Some colleges prioritize it in their admission process, others might not consider it at all.

In summary, being on a mailing list might not necessarily boost your chances of acceptance, but it can provide you with valuable information that helps you demonstrate interest and get to know the school better.

And who knows? You might learn something from a mailing that makes you more interested in the school, or realize it might not be the best fit for you after all!