All the Different Ways to Show Demonstrated Interest
Throughout your college search process, you will likely hear schools mention the different ways they factor in “demonstrated interest.” I am here to demystify this phrase and help you find all the ways that you can show demonstrated interest! I remember back to my own college search days 6-7 years ago, I was so worried about having to visit EVERY campus without realizing how many ways there truly are to show you are interested in a school. While visiting the campus in person is a great option, we understand that coming in person for every student is not possible. Here is a breakdown of what demonstrated interest really is and a list of some other ways to show your interest in an institution!
What is demonstrated interest?
Demonstrated interest is the measurement of interest/interactions a student has had with a college or university. Interest is measured and used differently in the application process by different universities. Demonstrated interest allows universities to gauge how interested you might be in a particular school and also why that school might pique your interest. At Tufts, demonstrated interest is one factor we take into account, although there are so many ways to engage with Tufts that count as demonstrated interest!
1. Utilize Virtual Visit Options
Here at Tufts, we have several virtual visit opportunities for students to be able to engage with and learn about our community. We offer virtual tours that allow you to get familiar with our campus and hear some information and stories along the way that you might hear from our tour guides in person. We also offer Virtual General Information Sessions as well as more specified sessions such as Virtual SMFA (School of the Museum of Fine Arts) Information Sessions and Virtual Engineering Information Sessions. These are all opportunities to connect with Tufts, learn more about the university, and get your questions answered.
Visiting the Tufts website and learning more specifics about the institution is a great way to engage as well. The website will help you narrow down if Tufts is a school you would be interested in and will also help you learn more about the school to answers more specific to Tufts in your application.
2. Be Specific in Your Writing
The application process for Tufts and many other institutions includes supplemental questions that are specific to the university. When answering these questions, you might be inclined to fit in as many things about the university as you can. While this shows us that you know things about the school, it often feels just like a list and we are not truly getting to know how you see yourself being a part of our campus. My advice is to dig deep and be specific about a few things that have drawn you to apply to Tufts. This way, we really see how you can become a part of our community specifically and what parts of Tufts you are most excited about.
3. Self-Guided Tours
Are you interested in coming to our campus but you do not have availability during one of our scheduled guided tours? Come to campus anyways! You are more than welcome to come and check out our campus and walk around. We also have a QR code located in our admissions building that you can scan to 1. Document visiting our campus and 2. Access our Self-Guided Tour online!
4. Apply!
One of the most simple ways to show you are interested in Tufts is to send in your application! Just by adding it to your list and sending in an application to Tufts, we know that you are interested in us!
5. Be a great fit all around!
Here at Tufts, we are looking for students who are interested yes, but we are also looking for students who will be a good match for the mission and community at Tufts. Tufts is looking for students who are involved both inside and outside the classroom and who love to learn for the sake of learning. Through the application process, there are multiple spots on the application where you can share more about your passions, what you spend your time doing, and potentially what you see yourself pursuing at Tufts!
I hope all of these examples help ease your mind throughout your college search process. There are several ways to engage with each and every institution and there is no one right way to go about it. Visiting colleges virtually or in person not only helps you learn more about the schools that you are applying to, but it also shows the school that you are actively interested and engaging with their community!