<p>Initially, I meant to write personal thank you letters to the admissions offices of all nine of the schools that rejected, wait-listed, or accepted me. But between one thing and another, it was never #1 on my priority list (I don't think I notified many of the schools I did not accept at all), and now it's the middle of June. Do you think it's too late to extend a gesture of common courtesy? I really do want to indicate to the admissions offices that I truly appreciate their time and effort, but I'm worried that it'll look too bizarre.</p>
<p>I may even re-apply to some of these schools during my gap year depending on a number of factors (such as if I choose to re-apply during my gap year - long story that I may start a different thread about at some point, so don't trouble yourself with advice re: this point right now), so I might even look a little like I'm trying too hard to curry favor, which perhaps is another concern.</p>
<p>no–not too late–just say something about how you are grateful and wanted to thank…
good for you and better than letting it slide forever. Even if you apply later it shows that you are thinking of them now</p>
<p>I am no authority on etiquette but personally I wouldn’t do it, unless one of the admissions officers went out of his/her way to do something special for you. Admissions officers are simply doing their jobs when they read your application. They are not volunteering their time for this.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you were interviewed by a volunteer (eg an alumni member) or if a faculty member met you during a visit to the campus, or if a student put you up in their room when you visited, then you owe them a thank you note and it is never to late to do that.</p>
<p>Are you considering this because (1) you believe etiquette dictates it or (2) you think it might help with the schools in future? Answer to (1) is it doesn’t. Answer to (2) is it won’t.</p>
<p>oregon101, vicariousparent - one to one! I may end up compromising - perhaps I won’t write to the colleges that did little other than reject me summarily, but, for example, one college gave me a 20k merit scholarship and wrote me postcards, and I think that perhaps I should provide them with a thank you.</p>
<p>ingerp - no, I am not doing this merely because I feel obligated to write a perfunctory thank you (“you believe etiquette dictates it”); I was brought up to value gratitude and I write thank you notes frequently for everything that I think merits such a handwritten note. I just don’t know if writing a thank you now would come off as something other than what I mean it to be, a gesture of, well, thanks.</p>
<p>And I don’t “think it might help with the schools in future;” I think I indicated in my first post that I was actually worried that it’d do just the opposite! I don’t think it’ll “help,” but I’m worried that it might come off as me thinking it might help! It seems like that might be a possible impression.</p>