Nearly 70% of colleges report “demonstrated interest” (DI) as a significant or considerable factor in admissions. We encourage DI with our Class 101 students for two reasons. First, a student should be actively engaged in their college research, leveraging every tool available to better understand and connect with colleges. This includes signing up for emails, opening emails and links, and attending tours on campus as well as virtual meetings when they are offered. Schools can track and measure this involvement, which is the second reason DI matters. Some colleges use a student’s DI to predict the likelihood of enrollment. Since 2020, college yield is one of the most volatile metrics in college admissions. With this in mind, colleges increasingly measure DI to understand if a student is truly interested. 

A Note to Families about Demonstrated Interest

There are many ways parents, guardians, and mentors can support a student as they explore and apply to colleges. However, expressing DI is not one of them. Let your student schedule the tours, request email information, interact with emails, follow social media accounts, and attend virtual meetings. Let their demonstrated interest be authentic. Working with Class 101 can be a good preview of the independence required at college. 

Take the Tour

Rather than follow an online tour or video visit, make a reservation and take the real admissions tour. This establishes a record of student interest, and it provides a chance to establish a relationship with your admissions representative. As you plan spring break or summer travel, it is easy to add a college visit to the itinerary.

Go to the Fair

College Fairs can be an excellent introduction to start building the college list and talking about college as a family. In a low pressure environment, students are invited to pick up brochures and swag, ask questions about majors or student life, and sign up to receive additional information from colleges. 

Class 101-Dayton College Fair Nights

Class 101-Dayton students can attend two upcoming college fairs in our office. College representatives will talk with students individually in an informal college fair, and then they will come together on a panel to give their best advice to our students for college applications! Both events begin at 7 p.m. at Class 101. 

January 27
University of Alabama, Ball State University, University of Louisville, and University of Cincinnati

February 10
University of Dayton, Xavier University, and Miami University! 

Class 101 students can sign up on their college planner page dashboard. 

College fairs in our area this spring

NACAC Greater Columbus College Fair 
February 7, 2026 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio 

Cincinnati Area College Fair
March 2, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m.
St. Xavier High School, 600 W. North Bend Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45224

Revised 1/25/26
We will add more college fair dates to this list as they are published.