Email etiquette

Question

I must confess- my email writing skills are not the greatest. As I look to start my networking phase, need some help with email etiquette and content etc.

Specifically:
1. What should the subject read when reaching out to alums? "Ross admit meeting request" or something bland like that?
2. What should the content be- a) when reaching out to someone you have never met and b) when reaching out to someone you met at a recruiting info session. Also what should the subject be for these emails.

Any other tips from current students will be greatly appreciated. I know this sounds like a trivial topic to most people but there are folks like me who just cant write good emails

togafoot · Answer

TITLE: FREE KICKASS NAKED PICTURES!

Yo Alum Dude!

Title caught your attention eh?
WHASSSSSUUUUUPP!
Can you hook me up with some bitches at your place so I can be made for the summer

Laterz

dosa_don

Ozmba · Answer

fkng hell......this was awesome ....had a nice laugh

lepium · Answer

Unless you know the alumn or someone introduces you, type the e-mail as you would a formal business e-mail. Dear Sir, thank you for your time, Sincerely, full signature (organization, phone, even e-mail address repeated).

The title depends on what you are trying to do. Are you just writing to say Hi? That's probably a bad subject (and likely an unnecessary e-mail). Try to convey what you are trying to get from the e-mail. If you would like to (hopefully) have coffee or drinks then convey so. If you have questions explain so. If you are just introducing yourself, say so, although it is likely that the alumn (if interested) knows about you from the school.

L.

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

This is a good point dosa_don!!

I actually have the same doubts when I want to contact a student. What should I write in the subject? should I use a formal language or maybe (because he/she is a student) a more friendly one?

I try to use a mix of both, something like:

Hi John,

let me introduce myself, my name is blablabla and I'm considering to apply to the BS you are attendig at.

I have a few question I hope you can solve, but please, If you are out of time, do not hesitate tell me.

Those are very important for me because

Thanks a lot

Also, I try to choose the people I contact to, i.e. look up in the data base of the BS and try to find someone from your city or country. The more you share something with the student, the more empathy he/she will feel

That's my two cents

Cheers

pelihu · Answer

I never address emails to alumni with "Dear Sir". I think it's too formal and goes against the sense of community that we have across classes. Admittedly, I have never "cold-written" anyone that is 20 years out of school, but even when writing to people 10-15 years out in senior positions, I address them by their first name - skip the "hi" until you get to know them. So, don't use "Hi John," just start with "John,". If you are writing to someone who does not know you, start with a sentence introducing yourself; definitely mention that you are a current student, perspective student, alumni, whatever, and something about yourself. Then, get right to the point.

I've personally had a 100% response rate to my cold-emails (at least 30-40 sent last year during recruiting and this summer), and was told by many even before starting that it's rare for our alums not to respond. Admittedly, every school will not have the same sense of community, especially across the years, so you might want to make sure that your address and level of formality matches the overall nature of your school.

Email etiquette

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards