Our friend Jeff's cool college blog

Our friend, Jeff Schiffman, Senior Associate Direction of Admission at Tulane University, has a very cool blog that we often read.  I mention it because recently he and I had the opportunity to co- present a session on the topic of demonstrated interest at the Southern Association of College Admissions Counselors conference in South Carolina, and he has a great post on the subject.

Demonstrated interest (how much interest you show in a college) is sometimes used as a factor when deciding whether to admit a student or not. You can show your interest in a variety of ways: campus visits, a conversation with an admissions rep at a college fair, a timely and concise email, or the optional statement are just some of the ways to show a school you are genuinely interested.

Tulane is not the only college that considers demonstrated interest as part of the admissions evaluation. Whether you know a specific college uses it or not,  make every effort to let colleges know you are serious about attending (but make sure you are).  The bottom line is colleges want to know you have done your research and are sure that the school is a good fit for you (and that you're a good fit for the college).  While all fun things, college is more than  football games, sorority life, and great dorms, and to get to know a school, you should check out the classes you will take, the professors you might have, the advising system, the special programs/institutes. Try to understand the campus culture, the climate for students of color, religious beliefs, and different cultural backgrounds.  Of course you'll want to investigate student life and the off campus environment as well.  That way when you are speaking with the admissions representative, you can draw clear connections between the school and your interests, talents, and the contributions you will make once you're admitted.

Although Jeff's blog is Tulane oriented, he addresses topics that are useful no matter what college you are considering.  You might want to add it to your reading list like we did.