How to Communicate Effectively with Admissions Officers
How to Communicate Effectively with Admissions Officers
Throughout your college search and application process, there is one central figure who looms large: the admissions officer.These are the gatekeepers who ultimately decide whether to offer you a place in their college or not. In spite of this, they are almost all very nice people who enjoy working with teenagers. Effectively communicating with admissions officers will help the application process run more smoothly and may sway an admissions decision in your favor if your application is otherwise on the fence.Below are a few tips to help you make the most of every interaction you have with someone from the admissions office.
Pick Key Times to Reach Out
You aren't trying to become the admissions officer's pen pal, but you do want to maintain a friendly and open channel of communication. Reach out around key events in your year.Here are some great times to send a quick note to the admissions officers at your top schools:
After a Visit
Assuming you met the admissions officer, which is always a good idea on a campus visit, you can thank them for their time and mention any specific highlights of your visit that helped influence your decision to apply. You can also ask any questions that arose during your time on campus.If you visit campus and don’t get to connect with the admissions officer responsible for your region, then be sure to ask for his or her business card.
Around the End of the Quarter
If you've had a particularly strong progress or midterm report, then share the good news with the admissions office.Some high school guidance counselors will do this for you, but not every school has this capacity. Be your own best cheerleader by alerting those reading your application that you're the kind of student who either does well consistently or has been making notable improvements each grading period.
After a Noteworthy Accomplishment
Did your team just win a championship? Did you successfully complete a solo recital? Was your science fair experiment awarded top prize?These kinds of milestone accomplishments are also worth alerting the admissions office. Sometimes your more noteworthy successes occur after you've already submitted your application. That's OK. They can still be influential in your process. When you've built a rapport with your admissions officer, it's easy to share this information and have it boost your chances of being accepted.
Create a Dialogue
Make sure you give the admissions officer a reason to respond and keep the conversation flowing. Your intention should be clear when you're writing. On that same note, have an intention when you are writing. Make sure there is a specific reason that you are reaching out, and that there is some reason for a follow-up. Not only is this good practice for effective communication, but it will also show the admissions officer that you are professional and respectful of their time.Ask great questions. Don't bother admissions officers with things you can easily look up online yourself. Engage them with questions that show you're invested in the school and are capable of higher-level thinking. Think of your admissions officer as a liaison between you and the rest of the college community. If you have questions about a particular academic department or extracurricular opportunity, then your admissions officer can often find those answers for you.Even better, they could put you in direct contact with other people on campus—like coaches, professors, or department chairs—who may be important for you to know. Remember, the admissions office wants you to apply to their school. Part of that effort is helping you find the information you need in order to make an informed decision. If you ask great questions, then you will get great answers.
Be Patient
Admissions officers have very full schedules and may not be able to respond immediately. Especially during busy travel season, it’s not uncommon for admissions officers to receive dozens of emails each day from students they meet all over the country.In addition to trying to respond to those, they have their usual office-related responsibilities that need attention. It is never their desire to ignore you. Don’t take a delay in communication personally.Keep your tone polite and communication professional. Avoid the sarcasm or slang you might use when responding to a peer. Wait a week or so before following up. If you don't get a response the second time, then consider calling the admissions office to schedule a time when you can connect. Your guidance counselor or an expert admissions consultant can be really helpful in drafting appropriate emails and responses.
Communicating with Admissions Officers Can Set You Apart
With so many qualified students vying for so few spots, it’s important that you find ways to distinguish yourself. Building a rapport with the decision makers at your dream college can play a role in helping you do that.The most important thing is to be genuine and appreciative when communicating with admissions officers. Make it easy for them to be your ally in this process.The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us