How to "Demonstrate Interest" to your top choice school (and why it helps)

In this post, we will show you how to use an underutilized admissions hack - demonstrated interest - to increase the likelihood that you are admitted to the top schools on your college list.

This takes a little extra work on the part of the recruit, but it can really make a difference with getting the attention of schools on your college list.

Total Examples: 5 ✅ (with insights from D3 coaches & specific D3 school examples).

Why Colleges Measure “Interest”

Why schools track interest from students

The college admissions process is not an exact science.

Every school uses different criteria to evaluate an applicant’s overall body of work, as well as their likelihood to attend if accepted.

How do they do this?

By tracking your ‘demonstrated interest’.

Let’s break how you can use this to your advantage 👇

1 - Prepare Before You Reach Out

It goes without saying that recruiting involves a fair amount of outreach to college coaches via email, phone, or social DM.

While it will be tempting to just send out a mass email to a bunch of coaches, we suggest doing research and going with the more personalized approach.

Here’s why…

Sending a personalized message that mentions something specific about the school or program shows them that you are genuinely interested in THEM, not just playing somewhere in college.

Here are a few things you can do to prep before you reach out:

Before You Reach Out Checklist

Research the school & team
Prepare a few questions if the conversation lulls (for phone calls)
Fill out the recruiting questionnaire (if available)
Think about why you are interested in the school (major, club, tradition, etc.)
Get on the school’s mailing list - this may seem small but it is a metric some D3 schools track
Follow the team and school on social media - could be IG or X, just follow so you’re in the know

Combined, all of these elements will demonstrate to the school and coach that you are a serious recruit.

2 - Direct Communication with Coaches

After making initial contact, send follow-up emails to update coaches on your progress, new achievements, and any upcoming events where they can watch you play.

Consistent communication keeps you on their radar - but be careful not to overdo it.

Recruiting is the art of following up without being too annoying.

To get a sense of how to strike the right balance, we asked a handful of D3 Coaches what they saw from the most recent High school recruiting classes that they liked.

A lot of D3 coaches got back to us with examples:

How to be recruitable and get college offers (2024 edition)
How to be recruitable and get college offers (2025 edition)

3 - Engage with Admissions

Attend informational sessions, webinars, or other events hosted by the admissions office. Registering for and participating in these events gives them a clear indication of your interest in the school. Even better - find out who your regional representative is (aka the person who is responsible for recruiting students from your area of the country) and send them a note. They may not respond right away, but chances are this is who you will interview with should you make it through admissions. The earlier they know your name the better.

Beyond that, make sure to open all emails from your top choice schools. They have advanced metrics that track your open rate and how long you spend on the school website.

Don’t believe us?

Take it from the foremost expert in the college admissions space - Jeff Selingo. In his book Who Gets In and Why, he goes in depth on the tools schools use to gauge student interest.

The more you know, the more you can use demonstrated interest to your advantage in the recruiting process.

4 - Get On Campus

There is no better way to understand what a school offers and show that school that you are serious about attending like a campus visit. In our view, there are two primary ways to do this:

Campus Visits: Schedule and make campus visits to schools on your list. Participate in official tours run by admissions and, if possible, arrange to meet with the coach and team. A visit shows all of the above that you are serious about the school and gives you a chance to experience the campus environment.
Attend Camps and Clinics: Participate in camps, clinics, or showcases hosted by the college. This gives you an opportunity to be seen by the coaching staff and demonstrate your skills in person. Plus you get to compete against the other recruits the school is interested. No better way to stand out!
1. Find camps in your area with our annual recruiting camps list!

5 - Apply (Early, if possible)

In your application, write a tailored personal statement or essay that mentions specific reasons why you are interested in that particular college. Reference programs, faculty, or aspects of the campus culture that appeal to you (i.e. the things you learned on your visit to campus)

Here’s a D3 Basketball Head Coach on how an applicant can make a statement:

“Nothing is as impactful as the prospective student applying!
Other than that, setting up a visit, consistent communication & completing action items from the coaching staff (submitting questionnaire, sending film, sending transcripts, etc.)”
Evan Kee, Head Coach of Randolph College Men’s Basketball

Early Applications: Apply through early decision or early action if available. This indicates a strong commitment to attending the college if accepted.

Applying early is a great way to demonstrate genuine interest in a school. If you also complete your FAFSA early, it shows a coach you're organized & that you have your priorities in line.

PRO TIP: Fill out FAFSA when it opens October 1st!

Here's how one Division 3 school, Roanoke College, evaluates early applicants vs. other applications (via their website):

By taking these five steps, you not only demonstrate your genuine interest but also increase your visibility and make a positive impression on both the admissions office and athletic department.

Prepare before you reach out
Direct communication with coaches
Engage with admissions
Get on campus
Apply (early, if possible)

Thanks for reading!

We hope this post helps you better understand what "demonstrated interest" is and how you can use it to help your admissions chances.

If you still have questions drop us a comment below and we'll answer what we can.

For more D3 recruiting info, admissions advice, and coverage of D3 sports, check us out on Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube.

Underutilized Admissions Hack - Demonstrated Interest