Writing a thank you letter after a university interview

What's the best way to write a thank you letter after a university interview? Should it be handwritten or via email? I'm eager to leave a positive impression, so any tips on what to include would be much appreciated.

Typically, a thank-you note after a university interview should be sent by email within 24-48 hours of your interview. This is a perfect time frame as it's prompt enough to show your interest and not too prompt that it might come across as perfunctory.

While handwritten notes are a lovely touch, they are not common practice in an academic setting and can take more time to reach the interviewer.

When writing your note, make sure to include the following:

1. A clear subject line, something like "Thank you for the interview!" or "Great speaking with you".

2. Your gratitude for their time and the opportunity to discuss your application and learn more about the program.

3. Any specific aspect of the interview that stood out to you. It might be a particular point of discussion that you found interesting or any unique insight they provided.

4. Make a connection to something you talked about in the interview and how it ties back to your desire to attend the university. Avoid repeating anything verbatim from your discussion - instead, choose an element that resonated with you and expand on why.

5. Wrap up with a note about how you're looking forward to potentially joining the school or program and your hope of contributing to it in meaningful ways.

The aim of the note is to show you're interested and engaged. Make sure to keep the tone professional, but there's no harm in making it a little personal to make a connection.

Here's an example to illustrate:

Subject: Thank you for the insightful interview!

Dear [Name of Interviewer]

I want to express my gratitude for taking the time to discuss [University / Program name] with me on [date]. I found our conversation, particularly about [specific topic], very enlightening and it gave me a deeper understanding of what I can gain from and contribute to, should I be fortunate enough to attend.

Your comments about [university/program-specific point] really resonated with me because [reason]. It aligns with my interest in [related area/plan].

Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to the possibility of contributing to [school/program name] as a student.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name]

I hope this helps, and best of luck with your application process! Remember, each interaction in the admission process is an opportunity to demonstrate your interest and fit with the institution.