Eli Clarke, Associate Director of counseling, private high school, Washington DC
At some point in your college search, you will probably have some specific questions about one or more schools. If a particular athletic program or academic major catches your attention, what’s the best way to find out more? Websites, college fairs, and your high school resource room can help, but they can only take you so far. In some cases, the most effective way to make contact with the school and get information is through an inquiry letter.
Inquiry letters have a number of advantages. Obviously, you are able to get specific information that will help you make the best decision. You may be able to contact an athletic department or find out about specific scholarships offered by the college/university. The inquiry letter also establishes a paper trail and helps you make consistent contact with the admissions office.
This paper trail can have a very positive effect on your application. Admission committees want to admit people that seem interested in attending, so they frequently keep track of how often you contact a school as a way of measuring your interest. Of course, you should not go overboard with inquiry letters and send them all over the campus.
You may wish to send inquiries via e-mail. While this is convenient, be aware that it may not make as strong an impression as a paper letter sent through the mail. People often get swamped with e-mails and yours may get lost in the shuffle. If you do choose to send an e-mail inquiry, be sure to include a very clear subject line. Also, be certain to compose your email as carefully as if you were writing a formal letter.
