How important is demonstrated interest?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've heard that some colleges consider demonstrated interest when making admissions decisions. How important is it really? Should I be reaching out to colleges and attending virtual events? Thanks for any help!

Hey there! Demonstrated interest can indeed play a role in the admissions process for some colleges. It's not always a major factor, but it can help show that you're genuinely interested in attending a specific school and are more likely to enroll if accepted. This can be particularly important for smaller schools or those with a highly competitive applicant pool. Reaching out to colleges, attending virtual events, and engaging with the admissions office are all ways to show demonstrated interest. However, it's important to balance this with focusing on other aspects of your application, like your grades, extracurricular activities, and essays. So, while it's not a bad idea to demonstrate interest, don't let it consume all your time and energy. Focus on building a strong overall application, and show interest where it feels authentic and manageable for you. Best of luck with your college search!