Should I Write a Follow Up Email to Admissions Counselors...YES and here's how!

After I’ve taken a virtual or campus tour, my parents nag me to write a thank you email to admissions counselors. Really? Will it even matter? There are thousands of students sending emails and I don’t know what to say!!

Sound familiar? Well the first thing I’ll say is that especially now during “STAY AT HOME COVID 19”---YES! They want to hear from you!!  So you finished your virtual tour and took some notes (I hope---see my blog on College Virtual Tour Tips/Planner),
what should I write?

1. Did they answer all your questions? Go back and look at my blog Questions to ask on College Virtual Tours (or any live campus tour)...through ZOOM chat, Q&A, student conversations
   
2. Maybe you have a specific question about a major you are interested in or a double major.
   
3. Maybe you would like to talk to a professor or a current student in your major. They would be more than happy to connect you!
   
4. Maybe you have more specific questions about housing or financial aid
   
5. They can’t cover it all and I bet there is something you can think of that pertains to you and wasn’t covered in the session.
   

Keep in mind this is NOT the time to tell them your whole life story, nor write your common app essay! And this is NOT an opportunity to provide your resume with interests and activities.

Here are the steps to writing a short note that’s straight forward and expresses your curiosity and/or interest in their college.

Step 1: Go to the college websites and search for the admissions counselor that represents your local area, like Westchester, Fairfield County, San Fernando Valley. 

Most of the time you will find their name and email address. If you can’t find their personal email, then send it to the director, or maybe a generic email is provided.

Step 2: Subject Line Ideas

• Thanks for a great tour...a couple more questions
  
• Virtual tour follow up
  
• Questions after my virtual tour
  
• Questions about _______________
  
• Enjoyed the tour
  

Step 3: Salutation

• Just promise me you won’t start with Hey, ….!
  
• You don’t necessarily have to start with Dear…
  
• Hello or even Hi is easy and acceptable
  
• You can decide if you want to call them by their first names or not. They are usually pretty casual.
  

Step 4: Short Note that gets to the point: here’s what to include...

• Start by making a general statement that you participated in a virtual tour and the date
  
• State that you are a prospective student---Class of 20_ _
  
• Sentence about why you liked the school
  
• Why is the school a good fit for you...brief statement
  
• List your questions...I’m wondering if...
  

Step 5: Closing Paragraph Ideas

• I appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions
  
• The virtual tour was really helpful and I liked the students' responses to...
  
• I’m interested in ____________
  
• I look forward to meeting you on campus sometime soon
  
• Stay healthy and safe…
  

Step 6: Sign off Suggestions

• Thank you,
  
• Best,
  
• Thanks again,
  
• Appreciate it,
  

Important Writing Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Check spelling
  
• Check capitalization
  
• Check grammar
  
• Check the spelling of the admissions counselor’s name
  
• Make sure you mention the college associated with the college that this admissions counselor represents and not another school by mistake...it happens!
  
• Do not start every sentence with I I I I...mix it up!
  
• Keep it short and to the point!
  

Here’s an example:

Dear Kelly,

My name is Jack Green and I am a prospective student graduating class of 2021. I just participated in a virtual tour on your website and I’m excited about possibly applying to Purdue in the Fall. Although I’m interested in engineering, I’m not quite sure which specialty and Purdue offers a wide variety of options. While I was watching the tour I had a few questions that I was wondering if you could answer for me. 

1.What percentage of students live on campus?
2. I’m aware that Purdue accepts students within their major and I’m wondering if it is easy to transfer colleges if you decide to change your major?
3. How are housing arrangements assigned?

Thanks for taking the time to answer these for me. I look forward to meeting you sometime soon.
Stay healthy and safe.
Best,
Zach 


For any further help/support with college admissions, please email me:
Terri@thecollegefocus.com
Stay healthy and safe...keep in mind this won’t last forever and you’ll be back on campus soon!












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