Preparing for admission interviews takes a lot but after all is said and done, it’s important to show appreciation. This you can do by sending a thank you letter or email after the interview. To be able to write a great thank you letter for college admissions, stay with us.
The thank-you letter is meant for two sets of people. The first set is people who wrote you recommendation letters like your teacher, guidance counsellor, and anyone else who helped you. The second set is your interviewer, your contact in the admissions office, or someone you met at a college fair. This letter shows good mannerliness and thoughtfulness on the part of students.
General Tips
There are some general tips that apply to all thank you letters, so let’s look into them.
- Keep it short. Think of it as a thank-you note rather than a full letter.
- Personalize what you write and be specific because the college receives tons of emails from other applicants as well. However, totally resist the temptation to copy and paste what others have written.
- Thank-you letters can be sent via email as they are convenient and easily accessible. You can also send hard copies of the letter if that’s the acceptable mode of communication.
- If you aren’t sure how formal or casual to be, it is safer to err on the side of formality.
Thank-you Letter Format
When writing to people who wrote letters of recommendation for you or helped with the admission process, start by expressing specific appreciation. Going further, you can explain briefly how this person influenced your journey and decision to study your course of choice. Finally, offer to keep the person informed about the outcome of the admissions.
Sample Format
“Thank you for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for my college application. Your Physics class last year influenced my decision to take Physics as a major in college. This is because I was totally fascinated by the principles of velocity and gravity. I can’t wait to let you know which schools accepted me, and which one I finally attend.”
Note: Do not forget or fail to follow through on your promise to keep this person updated, it’s a sign of integrity.
When writing to your interviewer(s) at the college, it’s your opportunity to express your gratitude and to sell yourself. While showing your manners, consideration, and appreciation, explain why you’re a great fit for the school.
Once again, be specific and give the person some context to remember who you are. Then make references to some specifics from the conversation to demonstrate your level of interest and engagement. Cap it up with some positive words about the college which you learnt from your interviewer(s).
Sample Format
“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me at the college fair at Horace Greeley High School last weekend. Being a science student, I was particularly impressed with your explanations about the university’s innovations in science and technology. Also, its architectural designs and beautiful horticultural layout sounds like the perfect learning environment which I hope to be part of next year.”
Note: Take absolute care to ensure you send the thank-you letter for college admissions shortly after the interview. A day or two later sounds perfect. However, if it takes longer than that, be sure to still send it rather than not to; it’s better late than never.
Click here for scholarships for Africans