Gratitude That Counts: Thank You Notes and the Admission Process

During the admission season, you will meet many people and attend numerous events.

You will want to be remembered (for the right reasons) and you want to put your best foot forward.   One way to set yourself apart is to write thank you notes.  Writing a thank you note is an effective way to show your appreciation and gratitude for the time people in the Admission Department spent speaking with you.

Thank you notes serve multiple purposes.  First, they are a great way to have another point of contact with the school so you can share your interest.  Second, they are proof of your involvement in the admission process.

Thank you notes are powerful communication tools because they show your sincerity and appreciation for someone’s time, effort, and energy invested in your experience. Sending a thank you note after a school interview allows you to make an impression on the interviewer, as well as demonstrate that you are organized, thoughtful, and courteous. It also gives an opportunity to express why the school would be the best fit for you, which will help your application stand out among all the others received by the school.

You might want to thank the Director of Admission after an open house or a tour.  You definitely want to thank the person who interviews you!   You can thank the folks in the admission department who help you schedule events or sort out problems for you.  You can send a thank you note for a virtual event, and you should definitely send a thank you for events that are in person. If you have a child who is applying to secondary school, s/he should write a note after events as well.  ESPECIALLY after the interview.

When writing a thank you note, there are several key elements that should be included. First, always address it formally using “Dear [Name],” followed by thanking them specifically for their time and consideration during the interview process. Then, reiterate why this particular school is the right fit for your educational journey while expressing how excited you are about attending if accepted. When you write your thank you notes, you should be as specific as possible.  For example, don’t just say “The campus is beautiful.”,  Write that “The library is so impressive and it reminds you of the library at your high school.”   OR “It was fascinating to learn how the robotics team creates a strategy for events.”   You get the idea…..

Be sure to add something personal in your thank you note. It might be a drawing your child does, or a phrase in a foreign language that you and the Admission Director both speak.  Perhaps you can refer to a conversation you had during your visit. Whatever you do, be sure your note is heartfelt.   Finally, finish off with another expression of gratitude before signing off with your name. 

Thank you notes are always appreciated! You can send your thank you in an email or in a beautiful card.  Thanking someone for their time and energy can go a long way in making an impression on those who interviewed or assisted in your admissions process. It doesn’t matter how you send your thanks, but it does make a big difference!