MBA Interview Follow-Up: Thank You Emails and Post-Interview Strategy

Your interview is over—but your execution isn’t. A clean follow-up can reinforce fit, professionalism, and clarity.

The 3 rules of strong post-interview follow-up

1. Follow the school’s policy (some explicitly discourage thank-you notes)
2. Be specific (reference the conversation)
3. Be brief (4–8 sentences is usually enough)

Timing

Same day (best)

Send within a few hours while details are fresh.

Within 24 hours (still great)

This is the safe default.

What to write (and what to avoid)

Include

• gratitude
• 1 conversation-specific detail
• 1 sentence reinforcing fit or excitement

Avoid

• long recaps
• new achievements that weren’t discussed
• anything that sounds scripted

The 10-minute debrief (do this before any email)

Right after the interview, write down:

• the 4–6 questions you were asked
• which stories you used
• what you did well
• what you’d improve
• 1–2 “fit anchors” that came up (clubs, classes, culture, career support)

This debrief becomes your interview prep asset for other schools and helps you write a specific follow-up.

Template: alumni interviewer

Thank you, [Name]

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. I especially appreciated your perspective on [specific program resource] and how students use it to [specific outcome]. Our conversation reinforced my interest in [School]—particularly because of [specific fit point].

Thanks again, and I hope to stay in touch.
[Your name]

Template: admissions committee interviewer

Thank you for the interview today. I appreciated the chance to discuss [specific topic] and learn more about [program element]. The conversation reinforced my excitement about contributing to [club/class/community] and pursuing [goal] through the program.

Best regards,
[Your name]

More templates (advanced scenarios)

Template: you interviewed poorly (recover without panic)

Subject: Thank you

Hello [Name],

Thank you for speaking with me today. I appreciated our conversation about [specific topic]. I remain very excited about [School], especially because of [fit anchor tied to your goals]. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Keep it short. Do not write an apology email. Do not try to “correct” every answer.

Template: you forgot one important point (one sentence only)

Add one sentence like:

• “One additional detail I wanted to share is [one metric-backed point].”

Then stop. If you can’t do it in one sentence, it’s not a follow-up email item.

Template: group/case interview follow-up

Thank them for the session, reference the case topic, and emphasize collaboration:

• “I appreciated the chance to collaborate on [case theme]. It reinforced my interest in the program’s collaborative culture and learning environment.”

Post-interview strategy (beyond the email)

Do a quick debrief

Write down:

• questions asked
• stories you used
• your strongest moments
• anything you would improve

If you’re still applying elsewhere

Apply the learnings immediately to your next interview or essay.

For general interview prep, see /interview-prep.

When (and how) to send post-interview updates

Only send updates if:

• the school allows updates
• you have a meaningful change (promotion, new role, major deliverable, new score)

Keep the update short:

• 1–2 sentences of context
• 1–2 bullets with metrics
• 1 sentence connecting it back to your goals/fit