If we had a dollar for every time we got a question about demonstrated interest, the millennial housing crisis would be no problem. Unfortunately, this scenario is just as far-fetched as the idea that following Columbia on Instagram will automatically get you into a school with a 5% acceptance rate.
We understand all the anxiety and confusion, though. Demonstrated interest has always been a nebulous category, and most prospective students want to do everything in their power to make an impression on the admissions office. We don blame you it would be undeniably sick to be a Columbia Lion in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. Fret no more, children Were here to tell you everything you need to know about demonstrated interest at Columbia, and you know what other words of wisdom we have? There nothing you CANT dooooo (okay). Empire state of mind, baby. LOCK IN.
Columbia Policy
To put it frankly, Columbia doesn care about demonstrated interest. You can stop reading here, but we did a lot of research so
If you don believe your eyes, go straight to the source. Columbia lists level of applicant interest as not considered, or read the one billion-point font on their that practically shouts at you to lose their number: please also note that we don track demonstrated interest, so there is no advantage or preference to be gained by contacting our office. Were really on a roll here with quoting iconic figures, so well borrow from our grandmother now. They don give a HOOT!
What This Means for You
This is, on balance, great news. It means you don have to carry out a years-long engagement campaign that basically amounts to stalking. No, you don need to call or email their office; no, you don have to like and bookmark all their Insta posts; no, you don have to watch their Facebook Lives; and no, you not only don need to but really should not find your admissions rep on LinkedIn or, worse, TikTok. Take a deep breath. Give it a rest, yall.
At the same time, some students find this disappointing; it might seem like theyve lost a way to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive applicant pool. But here the truth: demonstrated interest has never had a statistically proven significant impact on college acceptance, so it one less thing for you to worry about. Honestly, it would be worse for you if something as simple as signing up for a newsletter counted as demonstrated interest because, like, talk about low barriers to entry. Imagine if someone got in over you just because theyd watched a virtual tour of campus. Pardon our French here, but that would suck. Such demonstrations of interest have never been reliable indicators to colleges that someone will attend their institution if offered a spot for exactly this reason; theyre superficial gestures, and easy outreach isn the same as commitment (not to be dramatic or anything, but it the difference between flirting and proposing).
What You Should Do
If you think were saying to stop in your tracks because demonstrated interest doesn matter, were not at all. Were simply cautioning you to adjust your expectations. Demonstrating interest will never be the sole factor in getting you into Columbia or putting your application over the top. Demonstrating interest is, in the end, for you.
The things we think of as demonstrated interest (watching Columbia virtual Q&As, reading blogs from current students, looking through the course catalog, etc.) are all necessary, informative steps. The more you know about Columbia, the better youll understand if it the right academic and cultural fit for you. If you determine that it is, youll have more material for your supplemental essays. Youll have personable, well-researched writing with facts and anecdotes specific to Columbia that charmingly testify that it the perfect place to achieve your goals.
ճ where demonstrated interest. Not in the general info @ Columbia inbox, but in your essays. Admissions is looking to see, Does this student actually know our school or just want to go somewhere impressive? Are they likely to go here if accepted based on their future major and stated interests? Will this person enrich and engage with our community? Make sure your essays answer those questions. I promise, whoever runs their social media is not checking whether you follow them or not. Life too short! Go forth, apply to college, and prosper, my friends.
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