<p>I applied ED to a school and they send me back a verification email, telling me to reply if there was anything that needed to be changed. There was a correction I needed to make, so I emailed. Today I got an email back from the assistant director of admissions saying:</p>
<p>"Hello curiouskatie,
I made the change."</p>
<p>Should I send a thank-you email back? I dont want to swamp this probably-very-busy-person with an extra email, but I want to be polite. If so, what should the email say?</p>
<p>Absolutely thank the Assistant Director! He/she took the time to answer your email. You can never go wrong with thank you notes. A short, simple thank you note shows you appreciate this person's response to you.</p>
<p>I'd have to disagree here. I don't think a thank you note is at all necessary in this situation. katie, you're right that they are incredibly busy right now and receiving another email which isn't essential is not what they're looking for, even if it's in appreciation. It won't make a difference either way in the review of your application, but there's no need to clog their email with something like this, in my opinion. I can tell you from the friends I have who work in Admissions offices, that the title of Assistant Director of Admissions is given to most who work in the office! ;)</p>
<p>I understand alwaysamom's point of view, but at the same time, this is one of those instances where "no one really cares if you do, but it is noticeable if you don't." Someone took time to reply to your query, and promtly at that. It wasn't an automated message; so you should just give a quick thank you, and leave it at that. I doubt you'll be rejected for sending them a thank you note - and contrary to alwaysamom's point of view - it's not your job to make their life (or their email-checking) easier.</p>
<p>While I agree that it may not be necessary in this particular instance, I see nothing wrong with the quickest acknowlegement to show that she saw the e mail and says thanks for taking care of the change. In this particular instance, either writing it or not writing it would not reflect poorly. Normally when the matter is anything more significant than this, surely a note back or a thanks is required. This time it is more of an "unrequired" acknowledgement but it still is in good taste. I just don't think it matters either way in this instance. But it is common practice to shoot a one line e mail acknowledgement. </p>
<p>A general life lesson is that it never hurts to say thank you. Ever. In this case, given the reality of cyber life, it is also an acknowledgement to the school that you know they have made the change.</p>
<p>E-mails are so easy. Just hit reply and type in "Tks for your help!--curiouskatie." One more e-mail won't overwhelm this person, and it may lift her/his spirits to know that the help has been appreciated and acknowledged.</p>
<p>Given what I've read about the quality of life any assistant director of admissions faces for the next few months, receiving a brief thank you might be just the thing to brighten their day. No way anyone could confuse this politeness with an attempt to suck up (the only downside I can see).</p>
<p>I'd argue a general rule similar to what's posted above: anytime someone does something for you, particularly if they personalize it as it seems this was, deserves at least a brief thank you.</p>
<p>A thank you that acknowledges how busy you imagine the admissions director to be seems perfectsomething like, "Thanks for your help at what must be a hectic time for you."</p>