<p>So before I even ask this, I know everyone here is going to say, "You should have done it right away in the first place." I've been very prompt with all my interview thank you notes, but this one is overdue, and I'm afraid it's too overdue - by several weeks.</p>
<p>The story goes like this:</p>
<p>I had an alumni interview for a school I really like, it went well, I thanked the woman profusely at the end of it, etc. She said "call me if you have any questions" assuming I had her number from when she called me to arrange the interview, but she didn't give me a card, she didn't give me an e-mail address or home address and I figured it might be pesky to ask.</p>
<p>I was going to look her up in the phone book and send her a note to her house (would this be creepy, though? If she didn't give me her address, maybe she didn't want me to have it?) and I meant to write a handwritten note and had it written in my planner but to make a long story short, a dumb "I'm human and busy and all over the place at this point in my life" mistake, I never sent her a note.</p>
<p>Is this bad, given the circumstances? Will it have a negative impact on admissions? I figure she probably sent in my review on the interview soon after, before a note could even have come in, but would she contact them and be like, "This person never sent me a thank you note?" I think it's a dumb gaffe but I hope it's not admissions suicide, especially because it was an alumni interview and not one with a direct admissions officer.</p>
<p>I highly doubt she would send in something about the thank you note after her original submission. If, however, she didn't submit the review until after she expected the thank you note, it might make her less glowingly positive about you.</p>
<p>Don't worry. If you get rejected, it's definitely not going to be because of this.</p>
<p>Sending a thank-you is never out-of-line, even if belated. Yes, sending now would have zero impact on admissions, but it is still a classy thing to do. (And, not sending probably would have zero impact on admissions as well, since as you note, her report is long since gone.) </p>
<p>But, should you be admitted and run into her at some alumni functions, your note just might be remembered. And, of course, alums are great contacts for internships/jobs. But, just do it bcos it's the right thing to do.</p>
<p>I would have called the office of admissions and asked how you might get a note to her since she didn't give you a card and you met at a local coffee shop (or wherever since it wasn't her home). If you have no idea where her place of employment is this would be a good second choice. </p>
<p>If you get her home address, still send it. Apologize for how late it is in coming but do not put the onus on her for not giving you a card with address etc.</p>
<p>¥ou could always send her thank-you via the college's admissions or alumni office. Better to send it late than never. Given how small the world is, whether or not you're admitted, you're likely to run into her again.</p>
<p>...yeah, I have never sent thank-you notes for anything ever. Maybe that makes me a callous human being, but when I am grateful for something, I make a sincere effort to convey that gratitude in person. Why should I operate from the assumption that my thanks are not taken seriously? This whole dilemma is baffling to me. o.o</p>
<p>Like Northstarmom said, thanking one (no, not to get into the school but for the intrinsic motivation to thank them for what they have done) is good. DO NOT apologize.</p>
<p>If it's been longer than 3 weeks, it's beyond late and saying, While I apologize for how late this is in coming, but I wanted to be sure to say how much I appreciated your meeting with me.... is not out of line.</p>
<p>What's with the capital "DO NOT apologize?" As if it's bad form?</p>
<p>Well apologizing makes it seem like what you did is wrong blah blah blah. Sorry is overused, what you did is not wrong. Send it and tell him/her you really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Agree with Modadunn---the lateness was wrong, a brief mention of tardiness and apology is facing up to the reality of the situation, not a form of weakness. </p>
<p>The ability to make a polite (brief) apology is a sign of civility, the avoidance of the issue reeks of boorishness and a self-defensive ego.</p>
<p>Yeah, I constantly hear differing opinions on the thank you note conundrum - many say that a sincere, extensive "thank you" at the end of the interview is enough, but others insist on the note.</p>
<p>Wow, you could write a quick note in the time it takes to read all of these posts! Just write a friendly, brief note...note or no note, the interviewer won't hold it against you or your application. I did alum interviews for many years (taking a break this year) and while it was nice to get an acknowledgment, I really didn't take it to heart if no note arrived.</p>