I heard it makes them remember you, and gives you a better chance of getting in at a school. Is this true? What can I usually talk about after applying?
I would like to know the same. My D has read that many reps find this obnoxious, but on the other hand, her college advisor told her to do this. She refuses. Anyone out there have some knowledge about this?
Do NOT do this. They will remember you, in a negative way. If you want to show interest, check on your portal regularly. Some colleges apparently now track this – a student who never bothers to go check the status of their app might be considered unlikely to attend, so colleges worried about their yield may not offer a spot. Not all colleges, but it seems prudent to me. And beats annoying admissions officers when they are working 12 hour days reading apps. The time to get to know your admission officer was before app season, not now.
Of course, if you have a legitimate question or update to your app, reach out. But if you want to make certain the info gets to your app, use the general email for admissions – individual admin staff members sometimes get reassigned or quit or whatever, and the website doesn’t always get updated – and you can’t count on getting a response in the busy season.
Thanks, i’ll keep this in mind!
What you can do that isn’t annoying is provide an update with your first semester grades and any new awards/honors. If the school is your first choice, you can always mention that as well. But one such communication is generally enough unless you are being showered with high level honors and simply have to add to your list of accolades.
I understand that most high schools automatically send the first two quarter grades or first semester grade to any college you apply to. At least that is the case for the colleges my daughter is applying to.
Do not bug admissions officers. They have so much to do right now and it is annoying if you keep emailing them. (even as an admissions processor I get annoyed when students don’t check their application portal and email me instead asking what they are missing. just go look yourself! unless you have a certain question)
They are exceedingly busy people this time of year. Don’t call/contact them for no reason – it will not help your application. If you have a meaningful update to your application you can send a short email.
At what point does it become appropriate to contact them? Daughter’s portal still says “application is complete” for a school that supposedly has rolling priority admission. However, several people who say they applied later than she did are posting up saying they got admitted.
They probably still haven’t gotten a look at your daughter’s application? I’ve taken intparent’s advice and I only contact them when I have a serious question. For example, I sent the admissions officer an email yesterday with an update of my activities list.