4 Ways to Demonstrate Interest After College Application Deadlines

A student recently asked me if there was anything he could do to influence a college admission decision after applying. There has been a decade long debate on this very issue, called "demonstrated interest" and the role it plays in college admissions.

According to a National Association for College Admissions Counseling survey, 50% of colleges consider a student's demonstrated interest in the admissions process. Examples that demonstrate a student's unique, heartfelt and genuine interest in a college includes visiting the school, calling the admissions office to ask meaningful questions, interviewing with a local alumnus, or sending a thank you note to a college representative following a college fair.

Which colleges keep tabs on the number of touches a student makes is unclear. Very often colleges that use "demonstrated interested" as an admission factor tend to be smaller liberal arts colleges. If you are a middle of the road candidate for a particular school, you want to continue showing your interest at various points over the next few months.

Continue reading for a list of action items -- what you can do to signal to a school that you are strongly considering it and possibly increase your admit chances.

• #1 : Send a holiday card to the representative of your region, usually the first reader of your application. Head to your local Walmart or Target store to purchase a box of season's greeting cards. Write a message of thanks expressing your appreciation for him or her taking the time to read your application. Reiterate your strong interest in the school, how much you enjoyed learning about all the school has to offer, and your excitement about the possibility of attending next fall. End the message by stating how much you look forward to hearing back a decision soon.

• #2: "Follow" the school on Twitter and/or "Like" the school's Facebook page. Engage with admissions staff on social media. Also connect with campus staff on their mainstream social media pages where the school posts updates on research, current happenings, their work in the community, campus news etc. Join in on these conversations to show your interest, intellect and readiness to participate in campus life.

• #3: Schedule a visit during mid-winter break. A visit after the deadline date further solidifies your interest and gets you excited about what may be your new home next fall. On this trip, however, skip a long stay at admissions office. Check-in for directions to the financial aid office to get assistance with the FAFSA or to meet with a financial aid officer for help figuring out the school's net price or to learn about scholarships you may qualify for.

• #4: Check your application status. Make it a point to log onto the account the college provides you with to check your application status. If the college reaches out to you, you should definitely respond in some way.