Why do a lot of schools want thank you notes, LOIs, updates, and other forms of communication?

[deleted993098]

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Some schools seem pretty open about wanting these things. I get that they want people to show interest in the school, but if I'm flying down for an interview, shouldn't that express interest enough? Plus, anyone can write a thank you note or LOI (it doesn't take much time), so idk why they all but require it? Some insight from adcoms would be nice.

 

[Goro]

They're either needy, or like seeing applicants grovel.

 

[u_raptor]

Coming from the South at least, thank you notes are just out of respect for the most part. LOI, well, on one hand it shows a commitment but as I believe Goro has pointed out, it is easy to be dishonest about it.

 

[deleted993098]

Coming from the South at least, thank you notes are just out of respect for the most part. LOI, well, on one hand it shows a commitment but as I believe Goro has pointed out, it is easy to be dishonest about it.

Is there a diff between a letter of interest and a letter of intent?

In my post, by LOI, I meant letter of interest. I guess I'm saying is that interest doesn't necessarily mean commitment and shouldn't it be common sense you're interested in the school? I mean if you paid all this money and flew down and interviewed, then what's the point of an loi? Don't your actions make it clear you're interested?

 

[Catalystik]

Some schools seem pretty open about wanting these things. I get that they want people to show interest in the school, but if I'm flying down for an interview, shouldn't that express interest enough? Plus, anyone can write a thank you note or LOI (it doesn't take much time), so idk why they all but require it? Some insight from adcoms would be nice.

Perhaps they feel that they'd like evidence you still feel positively about their school after the interview and that your interest is maintained over the months thereafter, which would not be the case if you got an acceptance from a school higher on your list of desirables. Why spend resources re-reviewing your file if you no longer care?

 

[u_raptor]

Is there a diff between a letter of interest and a letter of intent?

In my post, by LOI, I meant letter of interest. I guess I'm saying is that interest doesn't necessarily mean commitment and shouldn't it be common sense you're interested in the school? I mean if you paid all this money and flew down and interviewed, then what's the point of an loi? Don't your actions make it clear you're interested?

Ahh, yeah I feel like a letter of interest probably isn't very useful for reasons you have stated. But hey, some schools like it?

 

[premeddestiny]

I didn’t send a thank you note to the school I got accepted to. For most schools, it’s just a formality that you can take if you usually do so.

 

[notsobabydoc]

I am wondering the same... It seems so moot and a total waste of time, unless you have a very unique circumstance where you can substantiate your interest or intent.

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

I withdrew from a school that told us essentially we would all be waitlisted and have to write a thank you and interest letter to be seriously considered (this was post-interview). It was my first interview and as soon as so had a few others I withdrew, and I don’t think I’m particularly unique, so maybe the policy really does help with some yield protection.

 

[notsobabydoc]

I withdrew from a school that told us essentially we would all be waitlisted and have to write a thank you and interest letter to be seriously considered (this was post-interview). It was my first interview and as soon as so had a few others I withdrew, and I don’t think I’m particularly unique, so maybe the policy really does help with some yield protection.

May I ask which school it is?

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

May I ask which school it is?

Georgetown. This was closer to a decade ago (which seems surreal) though so no idea about current practices

 

[notsobabydoc]

Georgetown. This was closer to a decade ago (which seems surreal) though so no idea about current practices

Well, it makes sense that it’s such a low yield school.

 

[tessellations]

Georgetown. This was closer to a decade ago (which seems surreal) though so no idea about current practices

This is still the case, unfortunately. Made me not want to apply, tbh.

 

[notsobabydoc]

This is still the case, unfortunately. Made me not want to apply, tbh.

Why that insecure?!

 

[FISTMCLARGEHUGE]

Why that insecure?!

I doubt it is insecurity.
If I spent 150+ on an application, moved my entire schedule around, flew out to the school, and went through the entire interview act... I am interested. To ask for an arbitrary "you're the best and I wanna come here" letter just conveys some sense of self-importance or a view of the application pool that suggests we should grovel for the chance to be considered after all that.
I really respected UCLA's atmosphere. They basically brought up how much it cost in time or money to make it to the interview and they want to make it worthwhile and treated the group as adults they would be working with.

 

[notsobabydoc]

I doubt it is insecurity.
If I spent 150+ on an application, moved my entire schedule around, flew out to the school, and went through the entire interview act... I am interested. To ask for an arbitrary "you're the best and I wanna come here" letter just conveys some sense of self-importance or a view of the application pool that suggests we should grovel for the chance to be considered after all that.
I really respected UCLA's atmosphere. They basically brought up how much it cost in time or money to make it to the interview and they want to make it worthwhile and treated the group as adults they would be working with.

Yeah, everyone is ok with the Georgetown name, but the minute they have a better option, they jump off that ship... so sad.

 

[strappysandals]

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