7 Tips for Email Communications with Colleges

This article first appeared on GoLocalPDX.com on July 29, 2015.

I know email is so “old school” that most teens don’t see the purpose of using it. Text, IM, SnapChat and Instagram are all more immediate and the preferred means of communication. Students: when it comes to day-to-day communication with your friends, you get to pick your communication vehicle. When it comes to college applications, you need to embrace email.

True story: this year one of my students never checked his email. He got multiple email messages from the Honors College at our flagship university telling him that his application was missing one component. He never saw them and followed up, so he was denied admission despite being an ideal candidate.

Here are some tips related to email communication with colleges:

1. Use a neutral email address. Your name is the best choice if possible. “SparklyPony” or “FootballFanatic” may have been great when you picked them, but for college applications it is ideal to stick with something clear and simple. Check the display name. This week I was surprised when I worked with a student whose email address was his name, however the display name was “John Doe” rather than his. Even if you cannot get your name as the actual email address, put your name as the display name that the reader sees.

2. You probably won’t remember to check multiple email addresses. If you are using a separate one for college, have the emails forward to the one you are willing to check on a regular basis.

3. Starting now, commit to checking your email a minimum of twice per week. Pick two days and put a recurring pop-up reminder on your phone. If this is unlikely to work for you, get an accountability buddy. That person agrees to bug you/remind you twice per week to look at your email and makes sure that you actually do so.

College students walking to class. Photo by: Nazareth College

4. Go on the admissions website of the schools that you are applying to and sign up to be on their email list. This is one way that you demonstrate interest. This will ensure you are notified when the admission rep will be in town, when you can sign up for alumni interviews, and they will send you any critical notices like changes in deadlines. Most colleges use their list as a marketing tool, and try to send news stories/videos/interactive options that will keep you interested in actually applying. Note: the school can tell if you open the emails they send you. Signing up and deleting everything that comes to your inbox is not a good idea.

5. Treat emails you send to colleges as if they are part of your college application, because they often are added to your file! That means you should use full sentences, capital letters, and proper punctuation. No text speak like “LOL” or “gr8”.

6. If you email a college after you have applied, be sure to put your common app ID number or the college-generated student ID number in the subject line, along with your full name.

7. When you get an email request, respond! This sounds obvious, but many students don’t actually do it. For example, if you receive an email alerting you that one of your recommendations is missing, go and get the scoop. Then respond to the college via email with the news such as, “My coach will complete it this weekend and upload it through the link the Common App sent him. Thanks for letting me know this was missing.”

Once the college application process is over you can once again decide to avoid email, however it is likely that the college you choose will be sending you important information about roommate matching, orientation and class enrollment, so you might consider this whole email process as practice with a tool you will use in your more “grown-up” life.