We wrote a handful of posts recently on how (and when) you might be able to add things like an updated GMAT score or change in job situation to your application after you’ve already submitted your MBA app.
That sort of overlooks an important part of the process that we should call out separately.
There are times when contacting the admissions office is necessary – either before you apply, or afterwards. This post is for the afterwards communications.
When you submit anything to admissions, try to make their job as easy as possible:
- Make sure you submit from an email account that has your full name (with proper capitalization) as the sender, ideally from the same email address that you have used in their online app
- Use a descriptive subject line – something like “Updated GMAT score report”
- Either in the subject line or in the first part of the email, identify your application file by whatever method the school uses – either an app ID number or your date of birth.
Then write a formal email, with a salutation, a short paragraph (emphasis on “short”) explaining why you’re contacting them, and a formal signature line.
If you’re submitting something, do not forget the attachment! (Pro Tip: Attach the file before you write the body of the email. If you get in this habit with all your email correspondence, you are unlikely to ever forget the attachments.)
If you’re submitting something, then request that they add it to your application – phrased POLITELY, as a REQUEST.
The EssaySnark Team often gets “requests” for stuff and we are frequently surprised at how they are written. A request usually is in the form of a question (that would be one way to approach it, at least).
Remember that EVERYTHING IS BEING EVALUATED. There’s a right way and a wrong way to go about things.
How NOT to ask questions on an #MBA admissions chat: "what happened to the admission team blog? You have not updated it since…July?!"
— Essay Snark (@EssaySnark) September 25, 2014
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