Extra info in thank-you email?

[wuglife427]

I had a phone interview with a POI today, and overall I think it went pretty well (especially considering the scheduling happened very quickly, such that I had just a few hours to prepare). However, I was thinking more about one of his questions and realized that I could have answered one of his questions more fully, and that what I said didn't address my interests as much as it could (and perhaps should) have. Should I stick some additional info in a thank-you email? I'm thinking the pros on this are that it shows I am really thinking seriously about our conversation, plus giving him a better idea of my interests. The cons would be that it reveals that I don't have confidence on my first answer/wasn't so quick on my feet, and it might come off as desperate or disingenuous.

If it matters, I plan on sending a thank-you email tomorrow morning either way. This POI was very nice, and he gave me a lot of good information about the program structure, the atmosphere in the department, and the admissions timeline. I just can't decide whether adding this extra bit of information would help me out, or if it would cheapen any expression of gratitude (by making it seem like I only sent the email to add extra info) or make him view the interview less positively. Or, of course, if I am over-thinking this whole thing (as one tends to do during admissions season).

 

Thanks

[Chubberubber]

My advice- put in the extra info in the thank you e-mail. Don't make it the focus of the e-mail (just a scentence or two), and try to weave it in a way that doesn't come across as too scared. Though, I wouldn't worry about the professor thinking you lack confidence- especially if that POI was nice. I think they know we're very nervous during these interviews and couldn't possibly be the best versions of ourselves under these circumstances.

If you think your first answer doesn't reflect you and/ or your knowledge and opinions- then don't let the POI stay with that incorrect impression of you. If I were a professor (and I'm far from it...) I would rather take a student that doesn't stop thinking and can be relfective of herself/ himself over a dogged one. 

[wuglife427]

Thanks, Chubberubber! I mentioned it briefly, and in his response he seemed very happy with the new information ("I wholeheartedly agree about...") and my general performance in the interview. It's hard not to stress out about little things in interviews, so I really appreciate your advice!!

[Chubberubber]

You're welcome! As someone who's stressed about every comma I put in an e-mail to a POI, I know exactly what you mean. 

Glad it worked out well!