Which Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest

With college admissions becoming more competitive, many families wonder if demonstrated interest is the secret key to standing out. The reality? There is no universal formula. Some schools weigh it heavily, while others do not look at it at all. The good news is that each school has a Common Data set that should tell you whether or not they use interest in their process. In the end, the best approach is to focus on building real and meaningful connections with the schools you love.

What is Demonstrated Interest?

Over the past decade, demonstrated interest has become a buzzword in higher education, but its definition varies depending on where you apply. Put simply, it refers to any meaningful interaction you have with a school, whether that is attending a college fair, visiting campus, joining an online webinar, visiting your online portal, participating in an interview, or emailing an admission counselor. While these touchpoints certainly help you learn about an institution, they also signal something vital to admissions officers: that you are genuinely enthusiastic about attending, making you far more likely to enroll if accepted. As institutions strive to be as selective as possible, admitting students who are most likely to choose their university is critical to their enrollment management equation.

How Do Colleges Measure It?

The weight placed on specific interactions differs dramatically across institutions. Some colleges take a broad approach, simply recording whether you have attended an official campus visit. Others rely on granular data such as tracking email open rates, link clicks, and time spent on their website. At the other end of the spectrum, some schools discount minor interactions entirely, viewing an Early Decision application as the ultimate form of interest or using a “Why Us?” essay as the central way to understand the relationship you have built with that specific institution. Your application decision plan can also play an essential role in how you demonstrate interest. Because Early Action is non-binding, for example, showing strong enthusiasm carries even greater weight, and we have frequently observed qualified students receiving deferrals simply due to a lack of clear engagement.

Behind the scenes, every college measures engagement in its own unique way. Some institutions take a quantitative approach, assigning scores and tracking metrics to estimate how likely you are to enroll. Others favor a qualitative view, looking at the big picture of your interactions to see if you have built a genuine connection with their community.

Do Highly Selective Colleges Consider It?

Many of the nation’s most selective institutions explicitly state that they do not track demonstration of interest at all. Stanford’s website states, “Stanford does not track demonstrated interest as part of the admission process. Engagement through our programming is optional and will not be part of the review of your application.” Cornell leaves no room for guesswork either. That said, higher education policies are constantly shifting, as seen by institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, which recently reversed course and began tracking interest as a key factor in their review process. Other selective institutions, like Tufts University, are also very transparent in how students can express interest in their institution. Navigating these opposing philosophies can leave families overwhelmed, which is why it is helpful to check websites for every school on your list. Even when a school doesn’t track your every click, diving deep into what makes them unique is always time well spent, as learning what truly excites you about a campus is the very best way to make sure you’ll be happy calling it home.

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to track which colleges care about demonstrated interest and which do not, you are definitely not alone! It is nearly impossible to draw broad conclusions based on a school’s size, location, or type. Two universities that share a common mission or conference rivalry might sit at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to tracking demonstrated interest. To help paint a clearer picture of just how varied these policies can be, take a look at how different schools within the Jesuit network and the SEC handle interest in their application process:

I’ve Already Applied. What Now?

Hitting “submit” on your college application is a huge milestone, so take a breath and give yourself some credit! But your connection with a school doesn’t have to pause while you wait for decisions. Beyond any admissions tracking, staying engaged is a fantastic way to build confidence in your choices, to deepen your knowledge of an institution, and to get a true feel for where you may be spending your college years.

Here are five simple, low-stress ways to stay connected after submitting your application:

✓ Check your Applicant Status Portal regularly: This is where you will likely be informed of missing application materials, important deadlines and dates, as well as specific opportunities to engage with the campus, either virtually or in person.

✓ Keep an eye on your inbox: Whether or not you open these emails may be a factor in the decision making process, but more importantly, they often include helpful information regarding specific academic programs, deadlines, or visit opportunities.

✓ Say “yes” to interview opportunities, when available: Interviews can be a great way to express your interest and to speak one-on-one with an admission counselor or alumni volunteer. Afterwards, follow up with a warm, personalized thank you note.

✓ Attend one meaningful event: Quality beats quantity here. Pick an in person or online event that genuinely excites you.

✓ Connect with an admission counselor, when appropriate: There is no need to ask questions just to check a box. Instead, reach out when you have a genuine question, a meaningful update, or sincere enthusiasm to share. This can be particularly important if you have been deferred. 

Which Colleges Consider Demonstrated Interest?

To help you plan your strategy, here is a breakdown of popular colleges and universities our students apply to each year, along with where each institution stands on demonstrated interest:

FAQ

Do Ivies track it? 

No. Every Ivy League university states that demonstrated interest is not tracked or factored into their evaluation process. That said, it is important to check each website before you apply as policies are constantly evolving.

Do emails matter? 

They can, depending on the school. Some colleges do track email open rates and link clicks. Regardless, these emails are well worth opening, as they often contain helpful information regarding deadlines, application requirements, and details of specific academic programs. 

Should I visit anyway? 

Absolutely! Visiting campus is the best way to determine whether or not the community is a good fit for your personality and interests. Engaging with current students and observing how students move about campus will give you a glimpse into what everyday life is like at a specific college or university.

Is Early Decision the strongest signal? 

Yes. Because Early Decision is a binding commitment, this is the ultimate way to demonstrate your interest to an institution.

How do I check if a school tracks demonstration of interest?

First, check each individual school website. This is likely the most up-to-date and accurate source. If a school does not explicitly state its policy online, you can find the answer in their Common Data Set. Simply search the school name and “common data set”, navigate to Section C7, and read the last row, “Level of applicant’s interest” to see if it is rated as Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered.

Beyond Demonstrated Interest: Finding Your Best Fit

While it is important to understand which schools track interest, in the end, the time you spend engaging with a college will always benefit you in the long run. Participating in virtual programs, connecting with admissions counselors, and visiting campuses are truly the best ways to deepen your knowledge of an institution and, most importantly, to determine whether or not it is a place you will feel happy calling home. 

We’d love to help you navigate this process. Feel free to reach out to get the conversation started.

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Kayte Hager

Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions

Kayte Hager is a proud graduate of Boston College, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration. She began her career in corporate finance before returning to BC to pursue graduate studies and work with the university’s Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program.

With more than 15 years of experience in college admissions and higher education, Kayte has held admissions roles at Boston College, the University of Southern California, and Boston University. A former Senior Associate Director of Admission at Boston College, Kayte has worked extensively in student recruitment, selection, enrollment strategy, and student-athlete engagement.

Kayte’s experience working at mission-driven institutions has shaped her deep commitment to helping students identify colleges and universities where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally as members of their community. She is passionate about helping students and families approach the college search process with confidence and clarity, with a focus on finding the best fit for each individual student.

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