Thank you notes in college admissions

The New York Times recently reported on what they think is a new trend in college admissions: the thank you note. Thank you notes after an interview or after meeting with a professor have always been appropriate and continue to be so as common decency. This has not changed in 100 years. What the New York Times was reporting on are those that are written simply for strategic purposes such as those that include items meant to be meaningful such as food or using college stationary to write the thank you notes.

College admissions officers and other receiving such notes appreciate receiving sincere thank you notes but they are not stupid and those notes sent for strategic purposes are seen for exactly what they are; attempts to gain an advantage by those who do not feel that their academic and other credentials are sufficient to gain admission.

Show common decency and write thank you notes where appropriate. But using insincere tricks to try and gain an advantage doesn’t work.