It's All In The Name...

Okay... so this is a subject area that needs addressing (and is long overdue!) But it was brought up again in the office last week when an applicant's email was revealed. Frank, our Web Wonder Boy, suggested it would make a good blog post.

As you can imagine, we get dozens and dozens of emails a day from prospective students -- sometimes even hundreds a day (between our entire staff) during the busiest times of the year. We communicate a great deal through email. Sometimes it's the easiest and quickest way to provide students with information.

I subscribe to the school of thought that "you never get a second chance to make a good first impression." So you can imagine my horror when we receive emails from prospective students who use inappropriate email addresses.

Let's get right to it. Here's a sampling of some of my favorites:

• BigBootyQT4U@...
• Vodkagirl@...
• HottieDoc@...
• greysanatomy33@...
• SixtyEightPlus1@...

And a few others I can't print here.

Yes, I've actually kept a list of some of these -- with the thought that I'd someday use them as an example! =)

This summer was the first time I actually let a student know that their email address was inappropriate. I think they were pretty embarrassed when it was pointed out to them but I was in a teachable mood and felt that the student should know.

Your email reflects who you are, in many ways. If you are still using a "cute" or "sexy" email address you created in high school, it may be time to update it.

You are entering a professional setting and now dealing with admissions representatives. Your email address is included on your application and your application is reviewed by members of Admissions Committees. Don't you want to present your best self? Wouldn't you want to be perceived as being professional and mature? Or do you still want to be known as ClowningNthaOC@....?

A quick Google search on "inappropriate email addresses" brought up the following article that gets right to the point! Professionalism and the email address (It's not specifically pharmacy-school related, but that's not the point. The point is you are now about to enter a professional school and are attempting to make a good first impression with your interactions with others.)

An email address is free! Get one that best reflects the seriousness in which you are approaching the application process. Your maturity can be seen not only in the content of your correspondence but also in the email address you use to send it. It's simple. Use a variation of your name. Keep it simple.

Inappropriate email addresses make for a good laugh in the office (yes, we sometimes share them with each other), but ultimately reflects poorly on the sender/applicant.

So here's hoping that my next email from YourMomsRxDr@.... has updated his email address to reflect the seriousness to which he wants to be taken. After all, it is all in the name.