<p>I think that at any school–unless admissions decisions are based on formulas–demonstrated interest (in the form of thoughtful essays, etc. and not how many times you’ve visited the campus) HAS to be a factor. Ctyankee’s example is pretty extreme, but I have a feeling that admissions officers have read enough applications to pick up on the subtleties, even if they don’t do it consciously.</p>
<p>Ideally, one would argue that “interest” is synonymous with “fit”, and of course that overall “fit” is what admissions officers are looking for when admitting students for every new freshman class.</p>
<p>In reality? Well, you could throw a lot of words around: the “game” of college admissions, “Tufts Syndrome,” “protecting yield rate” and so on…many of the reasons that applying to college is so unpredictable and I am glad to be done with the entire process.</p>
<p>Bottom line–showing interest never hurt anyone. And if Carleton is a top choice, odds are that you’ve conveyed your enthusiasm in your essays naturally.</p>