<p>This college is extremely informal that the admission officer starts every e-mail to me with "Hi [my first name]" and ends it with his first name. He does this even as I write formally ("Dear Mr. [his last name]") each time. What should I do? Should I continue to write formally or go with his informality?</p>
<p>What's the college? If it's Quaker, everyone at such a college goes by first names, so your using the adcom's first name would be appropriate. Otherwise, I think it's fine to stick with using the person's title.</p>
<p>The same thing happened with me when I contacted my adcom.
Hi, Nastynate0315
blah, blah, blah,
Warm Regards, Keith Hernandez</p>
<p>I still said Dear, Mr. Hernandez and Respectfully, nastynate0315</p>
<p>I just think formality it keeps it professional.</p>
<p>I use "Dear [First Name]" and end with "Best regards, [my full name]". I don;t think they care too much actually</p>
<p>People in positions of power are allowed to call subordinates by their first name, but not vice-versa. So at work the VP comes by your desk and says "Hi Bob, how is the report on the Fitch account coming?" Your response is "Well, Mr. Jones, I'll have it done by Friday." There are exceptions and regional differences, but it's what I'd follow in an unknown situation. And of course in face-to-face contact if such a person says "Please, call me Joe" then it's ok.</p>
<p>Unless they tell you to be informal with them, don't.</p>