Hello everyone! I am really nervous and scared that I may have made a mistake. I am early decision Lehigh University and one thing about this school that admissions looks at is student interest in the school. On top of my many visits, and interview, my admin rep and I have been emailing back and forth. One thing I did though was anytime I would bring up my love for Lehigh, I would add a “:)”. Is adding a smiley face going to ruin my chances because it could be looked at as being “informal”? I am so scared I have put so much work into my high school career and demonstrated interest and I do not want it all vanishing because of this. No smiley faces were on my application at all, only private emails. Thank you!
Well, in my opinion adding a smily face is informal. Because it makes the admin rep seem like a friend or someone you are familiar with. In the future I suggest not sending a smily.
Maybe better not to include it, but it is certainly not going to be the thing that makes or breaks your admission chances. Your rep has certainly seen worse. But maybe dial it back going forward. You’ve established your interest. Don’t take up too much of the rep’s time unless you have a legitimate inquiry.
Well, at this point, you can’t unring that bell - the email has been sent. I doubt that it will ruin your chances, but in the future, omit emojis in professional correspondence.
Of course you shouldn’t with professional correspondence. But, Lehigh really looks for kids who love the school. I have a friend who lives is Philadelphia and she said every student she ever met that went to Lehigh LOVED the school with a passion she had never seen with any other school. Your enthusiasm and passion is exactly what Lehigh loves in their students. I became friends with our admissions officer. We would go out to lunch when I came to visit my son. I have helped recruit in our region. I do not think your smiley face will affect your admissions one bit. She will find your honest love of the school endearing. Your application is in, so relax. When you get nervous come over to the Lehigh site and post all the things you love about the school!
Nothing you can do about it now so no reason to agonize about it.