Thank You Cards Are Important Step in College Admissions Process

February 23rd, 2010

Early action and early decision notifications might have already gone out weeks ago, but if you applied regular decision, chances are you’re counting the days on the calendar until April. And unlike the characters on “Lost,” time travel is not an option, though there are certainly things you can do to keep yourself busy so that time goes by just a little faster. Like write thank you cards, for example.

You remember thank you cards, right?

There are so many techie gadgets coming and going these days that it’s easy to forget how to pick up a pen—a real pen!—and write out a thank you card to someone who has helped you during the college admissions process. But regardless of where we are in cutting-edge technology, an old-fashioned thank you card is a great way to remember those who advised and mentored you as you searched for and applied to schools.

Thank you cards don’t need to be fancy—you can pick up a pack of plain cards at any office supply store or supermarket. A simple sentence or two like “Thank you for all of your assistance during the college admissions process” will do.

Why handwrite a card when it’s so easy to email? It goes back to the idea of being old-fashioned—many years ago, people had a lot more time on their hands and were able to write long letters to friends and family members. A short, handwritten thank you note shows that you are taking time out of your hectic schedule to thank those who took time out of their hectic schedules to help you. While each student has their own unique team of helpers, here are some key people who should make your thank you list:

1. Your guidance counselor. Yes, it is his or her job to be there to answer your questions about college applications and transcripts. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t thank your guidance counselor for a job well done.
2. Your recommendation letter writers. One day, you will be asked to write a letter of recommendation—which is not always an easy task, by the way–and you will appreciate what your teachers have done for you. But don’t wait for that day to come—send a note to all of your teachers, coaches, and staff members that had your back by writing a rec letter.
3. The admissions counselor who gave you your campus interview. Just as you will for each job interview you have four years from now, you should write a note to the admissions counselor who interviewed you on campus and thank them for your time. This note is important because it is two-fold: yes, you are expressing your thanks, but you are also reminding the admissions counselor of who you are—and why you are still very interested in attending their school.
4. Coaches and professors. If you are being recruited for a sport or a specific program, there’s a very good chance that you met various important people in athletics or academics. Can’t remember all of their names? Go to the college’s website and search the directory, or else send a general note to the department to express your appreciation.

Other people you might consider adding to your list include your SAT or ACT tutor (if you have one) and the current college student who shared his or her dorm with you for an overnight campus visit.

After writing countless drafts of college essays, a simple thank you should be a piece of cake. In this case, no one will tease you for being old-fashioned.

–Barbara Bellesi

Entry Filed under: Advice,College Admissions