So you’ve nailed your college interview, and you’re wondering what next steps you should take. Or maybe you bombed it — either way, you should first send out a thank you note to your interviewer. After all, they took time out of their likely busy schedules to sit with you and give you a shot at getting into your dream school. The least you can do is thank them! Doing so is not only the right thing to do, but it will also increase the chances that your interviewer will write positive things about you to your prospective school’s admissions office.

However, when we at Ivy Coach say “thank-you note,” we don’t mean what you might think we mean. There’s no need for a hand-written, wax-sealed letter sent through the mail that invites your interviewer over for tea. A simple email will suffice, and snail mail will certainly not make it to your interviewer in time to leave much of an impression. But there’s a way to do this key email correctly and a way to swing and miss. We’re here to walk you through it!

Time is of the Essence After Your College Interview

You never know how quickly your interviewer will submit their report to the admissions officers at your prospective school. That’s why it’s crucial that you send your thank-you email as soon as possible, preferably on the same day that you sat for your interview. Your email should show that you’ve listened to what they’ve shared during your meeting. If they told you a bunch of specifics about their alma mater, recount some of these things, and perhaps even highlight how you can’t wait to participate in them yourself one day. If they shared details about their time at school or some good old-fashioned life advice, show gratitude for their words and state that you hope you’ll come away from your time at their alma mater with similar experiences.

No need to reinvent the wheel! If there’s a question you forgot to ask during your interview, by all means, ask it in this email. If you couldn’t find an answer to a question they asked you, you might want to answer it here too (although you should have come prepared in the first place. For more information on acing your college interview, read our blog on the subject).

Thank You Emails Smooth Over Poor Interview Experiences

Let’s say your interview didn’t go so well. It might go without saying, but don’t take this as an opportunity to voice your grievances. If you can’t point to any specific things to thank them for, just thank them for your time and reiterate your interest in the school you’re applying to. The last thing you should do is try to sell yourself when it’s already too late. 

Don’t brag and boast about all the accomplishments you forgot to state during your interview. Don’t do anything that runs the risk of making you seem unlikable. College alumni interviewers, just like admissions officers, are people like you and me. They play favorites, hold grudges, and hate the applicant who’s full of themselves. Don’t think that your impressive resume will do the trick your conversation couldn’t. And anyway, you never know how far a thank-you can go!

The same rule goes for flattery. Your interviewer will see through your attempts to inflate their ego. So keep it simple by sharing some details from the interview that stuck with you, restating your interest in their college, and thanking them for their time. And remember, don’t delay!

Ivy Coach’s Assistance With the College Interview Process

If you still feel underprepared for your upcoming college interview, turn to Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers. We’ll give you the expert preparation you need to succeed at this stress-inducing task.

If you would like to optimize your child’s odds of admission to the school of their dreams, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch to outline our go-forward services.