Attaching my updated TOEFL score in a thank you email?

[chickenist]

I just finished an interview with the director of my top choice program, and I have said that I would email the director my certificate of achievement and final transcript. I recently took the TOEFL and received a higher score from before. Would it be all right to send it in the email as well (I want a better chance of being awarded a GTA)?

Thanks!

[GeorgiaTechPhd]

Well, it depends upon the context of the conversation you had with the director, what was your initial TOEFL score, and how much did it improvement. For e.g., if the improvement is marginal or if the original score was also at par anyway, it may not give out a good impression to point this out.

On the other hand, if the improvement is indeed significant, it might make sense to send it out. You can write a polite note like --'Additionally, i have been working on my language skills, as i felt that <insert something that links it to you being a GTA>. Therefore, I recently attempted the TOEFL again, and improved my score to X. I have also attached the score receipts for your reference.'

Also, keep in mind that some schools have a policy where they do not allow new material to be considered as part of your application once the deadline has passed. Since you gave the TOEFL again, the new scores would qualify as new material, and therefore you might want to check that out first before sending it to your director. You don't want to impose something on the director when they are not in a position to accept that as something valid. 

Edited February 6, 2020 by GeorgiaTechPhd