How to Write an Email to a College Admissions Office

There are many reasons you may want to email a college admissions office. You might have questions about deadlines, application requirements, financial aid, or getting off the waitlist, among other topics. Whenever you interact with a college, it's important to showcase your best self. This means you'll want to be thoughtful about any email you send them. 

But how do you write an email that’s professional, respectful, and gets your questions answered? In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to write an email to a college admissions office, with examples, tips, and mistakes to avoid.

4 Reasons to Email a College Admissions Office (And 3 Reasons Not To!)

Let's start off with discussing why you might want to write an email to a college admissions officer. There are a variety of reasons, and below are some of the most common. We've also included three reasons you should not email a college. Be sure to look those over so you don't end up putting yourself in a bad light!

Reason to Email #1: To Ask About Application Requirements

Reason to Email #2: To Express Continued Interest After Being Waitlisted

Reason to Email #3: To Ask About Financial Aid or Scholarships

Reason to Email #4: After Meeting a Rep at a College Fair or Info Session

What NOT to Email a College Admissions Office

College admissions offices are happy to help students, but that doesn't mean you can email them whatever you want. Certain topics might, at best, annoy them and, in extreme cases, even hurt your chances of getting in. Here are things you definitely don't want to email about:

• Information that can easily be found online
  • Don't email them asking when application deadlines are, what dorms freshman live in, what options there are for study abroad, etc. If the information is easy to find on the school's website, asking about it may make you seem lazy, which is definitely not the sign you want to send.

• Your application status
  • It's normal to be anxious to know if you've been accepted or not, but definitely don't ask the admissions team about it. It comes off as pushy, and they won't be able to tell you the decision sooner anyway.

• Angling to get special treatment
  • Hopefully you don't need to hear this, but it does happen! Emails that try to influence decisions, like asking to skip a part of the application, offering to send gifts, or suggesting a personal meeting with the dean, can come across as rude or inappropriate. Admissions decisions are made through a formal process, and trying to bypass it can backfire.

Why Writing a Good Email Matters

It's just an email, so should you really worry about the exact words you choose? Yes! Every interaction with a college, even an email, is a reflection of you as an applicant. Admissions officers take note of students who are thoughtful, articulate, and polite in their communications. A well-written email can help you:

• Get accurate, up-to-date information directly from the source
• Demonstrate genuine interest in the school
• Leave a positive impression with the admissions team

That said, your email doesn’t need to be overly formal or stiff. You're aiming for a polite and friendly tone. In the next section, we'll walk you through exactly how to write an email to a college admissions officer.

How to Write an Email to a College Admissions Office: 6 Steps to Follow

If you're not sure how to write an email to a college admissions office, this section will explain everything you need to do. Follow these six steps to craft a respectful, friendly email that will get you the information you need and make the admissions team think positively of you.

#1: Use a Clear Subject Line

Start off strong! Admissions offices get hundreds of emails a day. Make sure yours stands out by being direct and specific. The subject line should still be short (aim for less than 10 words), but the person reading it should have a general idea of what you'll be talking about within the email.

Examples:

• “Question About Standardized Test Requirements”
• “Prospective Student Inquiry: Financial Aid for International Applicants”
• “Follow-Up: Campus Tour on March 12”

#2: Use a Proper Greeting

Not sure how to address the college admissions team in email? It's a common issue to be confused about. You want to begin your email with a polite greeting. You don't want to start with "Hey" or, even worse, launch straight into your question with no greeting at all. Beginning with "Dear" is a good option that works for basically any email.

Examples:

• “Dear Admissions Office,”
• “Dear [College Name] Admissions Team,”

If you know the name of a specific officer (from a college fair, school visit, or email signature), even better:

• “Dear Ms. Ramirez,”

#3: Briefly Introduce Yourself

Admissions officers need context. You should begin the body of your email by explaining who you are. Keep this brief; one to two sentences is enough. 

Example:

• "My name is Taylor Kim, and I’m a junior at Lincoln High School in Seattle, WA. I’m applying to Duke University this fall as a psychology major."

#4: Clearly State Your Question/Request

After you've introduced yourself, now it's time to get to the meat of the email. This is where you'll ask your question/make your request/etc. Be polite but to the point. A common mistake students make is overexplaining and providing a lot of unnecessary details. Most questions can be asked in one to two sentences, and it's only in rare cases that you'd need more than five or so sentences to explain. Letters of continued interest for waitlisted students are an exception; for these you usually want to write several sentences that explain how you've become a stronger candidate since submitting your application. (You can see an example of this type of email in the next section.)

Examples:

• "I’ve taken dual enrollment courses through my local community college. Could you clarify how those credits are evaluated during the admissions process and whether they can fulfill any general education requirements?"

• "I'm planning to visit campus this summer. Are there any student-led tours or info sessions specifically for prospective engineering majors?"

• "I saw that your website outlines general financial aid policies, but I’m wondering if there are any need-based grants or scholarships specifically for out-of-state students from low-income backgrounds. If so, is there anything I need to do beyond submitting the FAFSA and CSS Profile?"

• "If I’m admitted and decide to take a gap year before enrolling, does your school have a formal deferral process? I’d like to understand what steps I’d need to take and if there are any restrictions on what I can do during that time."

#5: Thank Them for Reading the Email

Not sure how to end an email to get accepted to college? Thank them! Admissions officers are busy, and thanking them shows maturity and respect for their time.

Example:

• "Thank you for taking the time to read my email. I really appreciate any information you can provide."

#6: Sign Off With Your Full Name and Contact Information

The final step is the sign off. End with your full name and ways they can contact you. If you've already applied and have an application ID, include that as well. 

Example:

"Sincerely,
Taylor Kim
[Email]
[Phone]"

2 Sample Emails to a College Admissions Office

Now that you know all the steps for how to write an email to a college admissions officer, let's see what it looks like when you put it all together. Here are two example emails to college admissions offices:

College Admissions Email Example 1

Subject: Continued Interest in Northwestern University, Waitlist Follow-Up

Dear Northwestern Admissions Committee,

My name is Maya Thompson, and I was recently placed on the waitlist for the Class of 2029. I know that Northwestern is incredibly competitive and I’m glad that I am still being considered for admission. I'm writing to express my continued interest in attending, and to include some new information to add to my application.

Since submitting my application, I’ve been named a National Merit Finalist and was selected to present my independent research project on freshwater ecosystems at a regional science symposium. I believe Northwestern’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and its strong Environmental Sciences program make it the perfect fit for my academic goals.

I understand that this new information may not impact my admissions, as the candidate pool is so talented, but I wanted to share it with you anyways. If offered admission, I would gladly accept and am prepared to enroll. Thank you for continuing to consider my application, and please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide.

Sincerely,
Maya Thompson
[Email]
[Phone]
[Application ID]

College Admissions Email Example 2

Subject: Visit Options for Prospective Biology Majors – Summer 2025

Dear Admissions Office,

My name is Jordan Lee, and I’m currently a junior at Oak Valley High School in Austin, Texas. I’m very interested in applying to Boston University next year and am planning to visit the campus this July.

I was wondering if there are any opportunities to speak with a faculty member or current student from the Biology department during my visit. I’d love to learn more about the research opportunities and lab facilities available to undergraduates.

Thank you so much for your time and help, and I’m really looking forward to learning more about BU!

Sincerely,
Jordan Lee
[Email]
[Phone]

Final Tips: How to Write an Email to a College Admissions Office 

Now you know the entire process for how to write an email to a college admissions officer, how to address college admissions team in email, and how to end an email to get accepted to college. As you write your email, keep these final tips in mind:

DO:

• Proofread for spelling and grammar
• Keep it concise (ideally fewer than 200 words)
• Use a professional-sounding email address (not [email protected])
• Ask only 1-2 questions per email
  
  

DON'T:

• Ask questions already answered on the website
• Write in all lowercase or text speak
• Forget to thank them for their time
• Expect an immediate reply (give it 3-5 business days before following up)

What's Next?

Interested in learning more about the college admissions process? Learn about how to get a college application fee waiver, learn about the best extracurricular activities for your college app, and plan your college application timeline.

College admissions get more and more competitive every year, so you want to present yourself with the best application you can. Read about how to build a versatile college application here.

Working on your Common App essays? We break down every single Common App essay prompt in this expert guide so you can choose the best prompt for you.