How to address email to admissions office

I really don't know what to say. Does 'dear admissions office' sound ridiculous? The University I'm emailing lists the names of two members of staff under the contact details, so I'm hesitant to use one name in case the message is received by the other person. I feel really stupid for asking this. :redface:

Reply 1

CJAW

Just put 'Dear Sir or Madam'
Usually the email will go through a secretary first anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

Reply 2

StillIll

I'd put "To whom it may concern" which is what I usually put when addressing things to people I don't know the name of.

Reply 3

Juno

Depending on what you're emailing them about, it might be a better idea to phone and ask for a specific person to email. This is suitable if it's a question specific to your application - such as dropping a subject - but not really necessary for general queries.

Reply 4

Venomilys

you aren't writing a letter to the queen, just be casual!

I start mine of with a 'hello there'.

Reply 5

internet tough guy

is it even necessary to address them?

can't you just skip that and get straight to the point?

Reply 6

awesomeollie

You could just go with a friendly "Good Evening" or "Good Morning"

Reply 7

Pitt1988

Original post by StillIll

I'd put "To whom it may concern" which is what I usually put when addressing things to people I don't know the name of.

This.

Reply 8

Newky

Be formal.

Pick one person and find their specific [email protected]
Surely there is a head of admissions?

Begin "Dear Dr/Mrs/Mr X"
End "Kind regards"

Corresponding with an admissions officer, particularly regarding an application, is serious, and requires a formal format.

Reply 9

jelly1000

Address it to both or to Dear Sir/Madam

Reply 10

Infallible

I just put 'hi' and 'thank you'. It's only a university.

Reply 11

sweetascandy

I second the good morning/afternoon/evening. Works every time. :cool:

Reply 12

logiadoevus

'Hi' works best. People vastly overstate the actual need to use To-whom-it-may-concern's and Dear-Sir-or-Madam's. I tend to find it's not something anyone actually ever uses in real life, it's just a formality taught at schools when 'formal' language is considered. Of course, this is not 100% true, but you can't go wrong with:

Hi,

I am writing in relation to...

Blah blah blah.

Kind regards,
Me.

Reply 13

thegodofgod

If I don't know who will be reading the message, I use "Dear Sir or Madam" and "Yours faithfully"; if I do know the person whom I am writing to, then I use "Dear Dr. X / Mr. X / Mrs. X etc." and "Yours sincerely". :smile: