Is Demonstrated Interest Important?

Use these quick lists to help you strategize the use of demonstrated interest in your application process.

Demonstrated interest means some colleges consider certain actions you take (or don't take) —visiting campus, attending virtual events, and even opening emails— as signals of how likely you are to enroll if they offer you admission.

For some colleges and universities, demonstrated interest is considered “very important” or “important” in their review of applicants.

But this is important: not all colleges care or even track demonstrated interest.

Knowing when and where demonstrated interest is important is valuable information to have when you're doing all you can to strengthen your application’s competitiveness.

Below, you'll find a list of colleges and universities that not only consider demonstrated interest in the application process, but also deem it "very important" or "important" in making admission decisions.

Demonstrated Interest Categories

• Very Important – Plays a significant role in the review of applications.

• Important – Plays an important role in the review of applications.

• Considered – Plays a role in applicant review but is not more important than other factors.

• Not Considered – Demonstrated interest does not play a role in the review of applications.

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Institutions Where Demonstrated Interest Is "Very Important"

Institution Name	Demonstrated Interest
American University	Very Important
Dickinson College	Very Important
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering	Very Important
Georgia College & State University	Very Important
Grove City College	Very Important
Hanover College	Very Important
Ithaca College	Very Important
Maine Maritime Academy	Very Important
Mercer University	Very Important
Morehouse College	Very Important
Pratt Institute-Main	Very Important
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry	Very Important
Thomas Aquinas College	Very Important
United States Air Force Academy	Very Important
United States Naval Academy	Very Important
Wabash College	Very Important

Institutions Where Demonstrated Interest Is "Important"

Institution Name	Demonstrated Interest
University of Rochester	Important
Lehigh University	Important
Michigan State University	Important
Santa Clara University	Important
Tulane University	Important
University of Pittsburgh	Important
Syracuse University	Important
Rochester Institute of Technology	Important
Gonzaga University	Important
Rutgers University--Camden	Important
Appalachian State University	Important
Bates College	Important
Bentley University	Important
Champlain College	Important
DePaul University	Important
Eckerd College	Important
Fairfield University	Important
Florida Institute of Technology	Important
Florida Southern College	Important
Hillsdale College	Important
Kenyon College	Important
Quinnipiac University	Important
Seattle University	Important
Soka University of America	Important
St. John's College (MD)	Important
St. John's College (NM)	Important
St. Olaf College	Important
The College of New Jersey	Important
The College of Wooster	Important
Trinity College	Important
United States Coast Guard Academy	Important
United States Merchant Marine Academy	Important
United States Military Academy	Important
University of Arizona	Important
Washington College	Important
West Virginia University	Important
Wheaton College (MA)	Important

What to do if Demonstrated Interest is “Very Important” or ‘Important” to a university or college on your list. 

1. Read this blog "Demonstrated Interest in College Admission" to fully understand demonstrated interest and its role in university admission.

2. Organize your university list and note where demonstrated interest is “very important” or “important.” Focus your energy and effort on demonstrating interest at these schools first.

3. Begin exploring ways to engage with the universities on your list that will consider it in your application review.

4. Start with something simple, like following the university on socials. Try to follow official admission channels where you can.

5. Sign up for in-person campus tours and information sessions where possible. Prioritize virtual tours and virtual engagement for the others.

6. Set aside time each week to engage—read emails, click links, like and comment on social posts.

Take the Next Steps: Demonstrated Interest

Read more about demonstrated interest in college admission and get to work on your university application strategy with Blue Admission!