Your college admissions interview is over. You walk out of the room and breathe a sigh of relief. The preparation and interview may be done, but there’s one more thing you can do to end the interview process on a great note.
Writing a college interview thank you email is a simple task that reflects well on you and can impact the interviewer. Ahead, we’ll break down how to write a college interview thank you note and provide sample templates.
When to Write a College Interview Thank You Email
Compose your thank you email while the interview conversation is still fresh in your mind. Ideally, you should write the note on the same day that your interview takes place. Additionally, interview etiquette proposes that you send a thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview; however, not immediately after.
Leave time after the interview to reflect on the interview and write a thoughtful note. If you took notes during the interview, reference them while you write. Otherwise, you can rely on memory since the interview took place very recently.
What to Include in a College Interview Thank You Email
Now that you understand when to write and send a college interview thank you letter, it’s time to discuss the note’s contents. While your message should be unique to the conversation you had, it’s important to follow general guidelines.
As the name suggests, a thank you note should express your gratitude to the interviewer. Your expression of thankfulness should be clear and genuine. Rather than just saying “thank you,” include what you are thankful for. Thanking the interviewer taking the time to speak with you is a great place to start. If they offered any tips or suggestions that you found useful, you could mention these as well.
Another important component of a college interview thank you email is personalization. Add specific details from the conversation you had with the interviewer. You can do this by:
- Mentioning an activity or interest that you and the interviewer both had in common
- Discussing a program that the interviewer suggested you look into
- Referencing an answer the interviewer gave when you asked a question
The sample thank you letters below offer concrete examples on how to weave details like these into a meaningful note.
In addition to conveying your gratitude, your college interview thank you note should express your interest in the school. In the letter, discuss a few key aspects of the school that excite you and make you eager to attend. Convey your enthusiasm about potentially attending the institution.
Also, keep in mind that the interviewer likely has a busy schedule. A college interview thank you note is not meant to be an essay or a recap of the entire interview. The thank you note should be concise and to the point.
Sample Thank You Letters for After a College Interview
Composing the thank you letter is easier after reading a couple of examples. Remember that your note should be unique to your conversation. A cookie-cutter thank you note won’t come across as thoughtful, so take time to personalize your note before you hit send.
Sample College Interview Thank You Note #1
Dear [interviewer],
I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with an alumnus about the impressive and diverse school that is [university]. I remain enthusiastic about attending [university] and becoming involved in the student body. Speaking of involvement, I looked into the [student program] you mentioned and am impressed by the positive impact the group has made on sustainability at the school. It’s a testament to just how driven and innovative the university’s students can be. Thank you for sharing that with me and for the opportunity to interview. Please let me know if there is any additional information that I can offer.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
The sample thank you note above begins and ends with gratitude. It referenced a specific detail from the interview and emphasized the candidate’s interest in attending the university. For a different approach with similar core components, read the sample letter below.
Sample College Interview Thank You Note #2
Dear [interviewer],
It was a pleasure meeting with you this morning. Thank you for sitting down with me and taking the time to get to know me. Hearing about your experience as a [university] student brought a unique perspective that excited me even more about the prospect of attending. It’s nice to know how welcoming the student body is.
I also enjoyed learning more about the opportunities that the [department] offers for students like me that are interested in double majoring. It’s clear that I would have the opportunity to pursue both my passions at [university]. Overall, speaking with you was a beneficial experience, and I want to thank you again for your time and consideration.
P.S I stopped by the [on campus cafe] you recommended and tried one of the blueberry muffins. You were right—they are delicious. Thanks for the tip!
Sincerely,
[your name]
This sample note takes a slightly less formal approach than the first and references multiple conversation pieces from the interview. There are multiple expressions of gratitude in the letter, and an upbeat tone helps convey enthusiasm.
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