Be Professional With All College Representatives!

Juniors and sophomores, as you begin searching for colleges and visiting campuses, remember to be professional in all interactions with college and university representatives. You MUST give a professional impression, whether it is during a phone conversation, while asking questions at a college fair, or during a campus visit. Your professionalism (or lack thereof) will be noted and factored into college admission decisions. In addition, your parents should be courteous and respectful in all interactions with your colleges and universities.

Be courteous and respectful with ALL people you speak with and meet (especially during campus visits). College admission officers may ask receptionists, tour guides, and student workers in the admissions office for their impression of you. If you are immature, boastful, disrespectful and/or discourteous, your chances for admission will be hurt.

Professionalism must be included in written correspondence as well; written correspondence includes E-mail, written letters, message boards and blogs.

With regard to E-mail, proper etiquette must be used at all times. E-mails should not include language that has no place in professional correspondence; also, casual abbreviations should not be used (e.g., btw im writing 2 plz ask u 4 admission). E-mails should be addressed to “Dear Mr. A” or “Dear Ms. B”; don’t use first names or nicknames. Use spell check on your E-mails and attachments before sending them electronically.

In addition, your E-mail account should be appropriate. Receiving an E-mail from love2party@xxx.com or bewildwithme@goodtimes.com will only raise questions with admissions officers.

Unprofessional behavior, poor manners and improper etiquette will negatively affect admissions officers’ decision regarding your acceptance. Be smart and make the best impression possible.

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