For those sending thank you email notes and expecting replies, would you expect a handwritten reply to a handwritten thank you note?

Not every email requires a response.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:which schools? We have regularly heard from two we applied two - heard somewhat from other 2 and zero from one.

I should have said that the contact we have had had been very generic - four of the five sent us thank you notes after our tour. One we sent a thank you note to and never even got a reply. However any contact we have received I definitely think all applicants have received as well - some of the schools seem to just be better at it than others.

You expected a thank you for your thank you note?

The other four schools sent us thank you notes an hour or two after our tours. This school we emailed a thank you and personally if I were an admissions person and I wanted people to remember the school favorably I'd probably reply that it was a pleasure meeting us as well and please let me know of any questions ...so yea I guess we did expect a reply.

I'm a NP and I think it's bad form on the schools part. The school we ultimately accepted was this way as well, though. I sent a thank you email and never got a response back. All other schools did respond.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:which schools? We have regularly heard from two we applied two - heard somewhat from other 2 and zero from one.

I should have said that the contact we have had had been very generic - four of the five sent us thank you notes after our tour. One we sent a thank you note to and never even got a reply. However any contact we have received I definitely think all applicants have received as well - some of the schools seem to just be better at it than others.

You expected a thank you for your thank you note?

The other four schools sent us thank you notes an hour or two after our tours. This school we emailed a thank you and personally if I were an admissions person and I wanted people to remember the school favorably I'd probably reply that it was a pleasure meeting us as well and please let me know of any questions ...so yea I guess we did expect a reply.

Anonymous wrote:You expected a thank you for your thank you note?

Not PP, but we wrote thank you e-mails after DC's play visit and our parent interview at two schools, and both got replies from the admissions office wishing us well.

What about invitations to meet division heads in a group setting? We've received these from a couple of schools in the last few days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:which schools? We have regularly heard from two we applied two - heard somewhat from other 2 and zero from one.

I should have said that the contact we have had had been very generic - four of the five sent us thank you notes after our tour. One we sent a thank you note to and never even got a reply. However any contact we have received I definitely think all applicants have received as well - some of the schools seem to just be better at it than others.

You expected a thank you for your thank you note?

Anonymous wrote:which schools? We have regularly heard from two we applied two - heard somewhat from other 2 and zero from one.

I should have said that the contact we have had had been very generic - four of the five sent us thank you notes after our tour. One we sent a thank you note to and never even got a reply. However any contact we have received I definitely think all applicants have received as well - some of the schools seem to just be better at it than others.

Anonymous wrote:Does it mean anything?

It means they're on top of their marketing. It's in their interest to keep your interest up, and you can learn more about the school and community so that your decision-making is further along if your child is eventually offered a spot.

Beyond that, I wouldn't read too much into it. It's an outreach gesture, and a friendly one at that. It's very unlikely it's meant to convey anything more.

Good luck at decision time!
Peter
_____________________

Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's easy to be uninformed, personal, or simply mean-spirited if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools, and I have counseled hundreds of students in finding their next schools. I hope I can be helpful to some folks. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students and parents ahead of you. If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter <at> arcpd <dot> com

NP here. We were sent a list of current families who live in our area. I can't decide whether they're testing us to see whether we reach out to express interest or just letting us get a jump on they post-admission decision making process.

I recall Potomac and Maret would give applicants -- or perhaps it was anyone who had gone for a tour (?) -- email notices of upcoming theater performances and sports games

We get generic admissions newsletters, that's about it.
I think athletes at some places get invited to practices/games to make sure they are legit

Hear from them about what?

which schools? We have regularly heard from two we applied two - heard somewhat from other 2 and zero from one.

Does it mean anything?