Does Columbia or Duke value demonstrated interest more in admissions?

Neither Columbia nor Duke treats demonstrated interest, such as campus visits, event attendance, or contacting admissions, as a formal factor in its admissions review.

At Columbia, engagement is most useful as research for the application itself. Columbia’s required writing asks applicants to explain their interest in the university, so a visit, virtual session, departmental lecture, or conversation with a current student can give you specific material about academic programs, New York City opportunities, or the Core Curriculum. The value is in writing a credible, individualized response, not in having your name recorded at an event.

Duke similarly uses its supplemental writing to assess whether you understand the institution and can articulate why its academic and community environment fits you. Exploring Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Pratt School of Engineering, research opportunities, residential communities, or interdisciplinary programs can strengthen that explanation. Sending routine emails or attending an information session solely to signal interest will not improve your odds.

Put your research time toward identifying programs, courses, and communities you could discuss concretely in each school’s required responses. Apply Early Decision only if one school is truly your first choice and the financial commitment is workable, rather than treating it as a substitute for demonstrated interest.