A recent article in the New York Times reported that thank you notes are the newest ‘tactic’ being employed by anxious and ambitious students applying to enter colleges across the nation in an atmosphere which has become very competitive. When a large school receives thousands of applications for only hundreds of openings it is not a bad idea to do whatever may make you stand out in a positive. I enjoyed reading a few of the more creative examples of the notes which students have included with their applications: Take the one that came with M & Ms candy to match the school colors, and with the applicant’s name inscribed on the candy. She thanked officials for her interview, adding, “Keep me on the tip of your tongue when reviewing applications!” All of the notes are not positive like the one from a young man who announced he had applied to a particular school because his parents made him and begged to be rejected. “He said, ‘My parents don’t know I’m sending this letter.’” Another sample of the admissions thank you notes that I liked arrived at the school in question printed on a post card from the Eifel Tower and it read: “I spent my spring break---
a) on last-minute college visits
b) in a month-long anxiety attack waiting to hear back from colleges
c) vacationing in Paris with my family, eating crepes, and being eternally grateful to (the admissions office) for her help.