How to Write an Email to an Admissions Office
If you have queries regarding the college admissions process, email is usually the best way to get them answered. But crafting an email that communicates your message clearly and succinctly can be challenging.
To help you write an effective email to the admission office, we’ve put together some tips. Follow them to make sure your questions are directed at the right person and demonstrate your enthusiasm for attending this college.
Keep it short and to the point.
If you have questions about a major or have been denied admission to your dream school, sending an email to an admission office is an essential first step. Not only does it allow you to showcase your writing abilities, but it’s also an opportunity for you to make an excellent first impression.
Before sending your email, take a few moments to consider what you want to convey and how. Doing this helps save officers’ time with questions that can easily be answered on the college website.
When crafting your email, strive to keep it concise and direct. Doing this will enable an admissions officer to respond promptly to you.
It is essential to show respect to the admissions office and their time. They are busy people, so don’t overwhelm them with too many emails.
When sending your email, it is essential that you remain professional. Make sure your grammar and spelling are accurate, and avoid using language that’s too informal or jargon-filled.
Another essential step is to make sure your email doesn’t sound spammy. This is particularly relevant if you are seeking information regarding the admissions process at your top choice school.
This email from a student is highly effective, demonstrating that the writer had done extensive research before crafting it. It’s also extremely detailed and organized, outlining who the student is, their questions, and what kind of assistance they hope to receive.
The student typically concludes their email with a thank you, which is always appreciated. They also include their phone number and mailing address for follow up, making this an excellent opportunity to stay in touch.
Include your name and high school graduation year.
To guarantee you contact the correct admissions office, include your name and high school graduation year in your message. This way, admissions officers can quickly recognize who you are and what information should be included.
In the United States, most students graduate at 18 years old after twelve years of primary and secondary schooling. If you’re uncertain of your graduation year, use your birthdate as a starting point and subtract that age from eighteen to get an estimated high school graduation date.
Your graduation year should be listed near the bottom of your application, if available. This way, employers and recruiters can quickly view it. Furthermore, updating this information as academic career progresses and degree renewal or promotion becomes available will give employers and recruiters a better overview of who you are as an individual.
Though some career experts suggest removing this information when you have five to 10 years of work experience, Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder of Brooklyn Resume Studio, advises including it for recent graduates or those with continuing education degrees. Doing so provides your resume with a sense of continuity.
When emailing the admissions office, keep it short and to the point. They have plenty of tasks on their plate; don’t make them waste time reading lengthy, wordy emails.
You can usually locate their email address on their website or through social media accounts. Nevertheless, it’s always preferable to contact an officer via phone if possible; many colleges have different admission officers for each region so a quick Google search or phone call should help you identify who to reach out to.
Don’t brag about yourself.
Bragging can be a dangerous act. Not only does it make other people feel envious, but it can also damage your own self-worth by leading you to believe that you’re on top of the world and encouraging you to pursue things which don’t satisfy you personally.
It’s not always necessary to brag about yourself, but you should try not to do it too often or excessively. Doing so could be a sign that you need to work on improving your self-esteem.
Bragging is a common way to express yourself. This could include something you accomplished, like winning an award or participating in an athletic contest. Additionally, sharing photos of yourself or your family with others is another popular way to brag.
Another way to brag is by celebrating someone else’s accomplishments. For instance, if you’re a grandmother, sharing photos of your grandson with friends or coworkers could be an adorable way to show off your joy; however, try not to do this too frequently or it could appear like bragging.
Additionally, boasting about your wealth or status should never be done. Doing so could lead to feelings of envy and even serve as a warning that you need to find more meaningful ways to express yourself.
When sending an email to an admission office, it’s best to keep any bragging to a minimum. Doing so could get you in trouble or worse. Therefore, keep your message short and direct while still addressing it professionally. Additionally, thank the admissions officer for their time by including your full name and high school graduation year in the message.
Be specific.
Crafting an effective email is essential for your admissions prospects. Colleges receive hundreds of emails daily and may be overwhelmed with other students’ applications. Therefore, taking time to craft a thoughtful message is vital.
Make your message stand out by being specific. Whether you have queries regarding allergy-friendly dining hall options or a scholarship essay question, being specific will enable the admissions officer to better comprehend your query and provide you with the most pertinent answer.
If you’re not sure who to email in the admissions office, check their contact information on the school website. Many colleges have different admissions officers for different regions of America.
Admissions offices are often responsible for assisting students in navigating the school and answering their queries about college life. Show respect to this important responsibility by treating the officer with kindness in your email correspondence.
Your email should be brief, concise and to the point. Admissions officers are busy professionals with limited time for reading long, wordy emails.
It’s perfectly acceptable to have some pressing questions, but don’t go overboard. Too much information may overwhelm the admissions officer and leave them feeling like they are being interrogated instead of helped.
Be sure to include in the body of your email why you are writing and how you learned about the admissions office. Doing this will help the admissions officer remember your message and respond promptly.
Though you should never request an admissions officer to list your credentials and qualifications in your initial email, it’s perfectly acceptable to include a few key points about yourself in the message. Doing this allows you to showcase your most pertinent accomplishments while also showing them that you have done some research beforehand.
Don’t forget to thank the admissions officer.
A thank you note is an integral component of college applications. It demonstrates your enthusiasm and consideration for the school, helping you stand out from other applicants.
Admissions officers often take notes, so it’s wise to send them a thank you letter after meeting or having an interview. After all, they keep track of all students they encounter during the admissions process, so sending them a thank you note shows your enthusiasm for their school.
Another reason to contact the admissions office is if you have questions about a program or major. This is especially relevant if the answer to your query isn’t readily apparent on the college’s website or if you haven’t submitted any additional information (like test scores) yet.
Admissions officers typically have a full schedule, so reaching out early will give them time to address your query and prevent missing the deadline for submitting your application.
Writing an email that is clear and concise is essential. Use professional language with proper punctuation and spelling, as well as including your full name and contact information at the end of the message.
The ideal emails are detailed, personalized, and well-researched. Furthermore, they should be polite and courteous without sounding impatient or demanding. It’s wise to have someone else read your email before sending it on to an admissions officer so that it is crystal clear and portrays a positive image of you.