acceptance email etiquette

[michpc]

So, you get an email offering you a spot in the program you've applied to; you're in! Is there any etiquette involved in that? Are you supposed to respond and say "thanks, I'll be in touch!" Or are you just supposed to limit correspondence to whether you'll be accepting or not, and asking about visits, etc? Sorry, it's been 9 years since I applied to undergrad and even then I think most notices came in snail mail form! (wow, 9 years!). THANKS!

[hopelesslypostmodern]

So, you get an email offering you a spot in the program you've applied to; you're in! Is there any etiquette involved in that? Are you supposed to respond and say "thanks, I'll be in touch!" Or are you just supposed to limit correspondence to whether you'll be accepting or not, and asking about visits, etc? Sorry, it's been 9 years since I applied to undergrad and even then I think most notices came in snail mail form! (wow, 9 years!). THANKS!

Congrats on the acceptance!

I think it's nice to send an email to say thanks and that you're honored/happy to be accepted. It let's them know that you've received their notification and are still considering their program. You could also ask any initial questions you might have (I asked about visiting in one of my emails).

[Blackhawks10]

I personally have responded to the programs that have accepted me. I think its a good idea just to let them know you received the acceptance and you are still interested in the program, and I also think its nice to say thanks.

[neuropsychosocial]

I agree that it's a good idea to reply, but that it doesn't have to be very long or detailed - "Thank you, I am very excited to hear this news!" should probably suffice. I did not reply to the email from the DGS, cc'd to my advisor, at my top school, because I was afraid that I couldn't put a coherent sentence together ("WHEEEEEEEEEEE!" seemed like an unprofessional response) - and my advisor emailed me a few hours later to make sure that I'd received the DGS's email. I was a little embarrassed and made sure to reply more quickly to future emails. I always think that I have to sound articulate and thoughtful in every email, but a reply often suffices.

[Scottielass]

I got my email, but it clearly stated that the acceptance wasn't official until I received the letter in the mail. So, I was just waiting for the "official" letter to respond. The grad director called later in the week and offered tuition waiver . Maybe he thought I was playing it cool, but I just thought I wasn't supposed to make a move until I had the official letter.

Edited March 13, 2011 by Scottielass

[michpc]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[luckyfriend]

I agree with others that it's sufficient to reply with a well-phrased, "Thank you, this is great news," sort of thing without promising anything. That's what I did when responding to my 2 acceptance emails. They both said that more information would follow, so I also said something like, "I look forward to further information." So far, so good.