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[dtermine]

Is the correct form of address for the Associate Dean - Dear Associate Dean Smith or Dear Dean Smith or Dear Dr/Ms/Mr Smith Associate Dean? Is there another acceptable opening other than "Dear" - that always makes me feel a bit squeamish - and yes I know I am obviously focusing on minutia to keep my brain from thinking of more terrifying things.

[msparticularity]

I use "Dr." if they have one--which the occasional associate dean doesn't. "Dear Associate Dean Smith" is perfectly correct, but it just sounds so weird, I avoid it if there is an alternative. I share your aversion to "Dear" for people I don't know, but "Hi" is just too casual for a professional letter. "Dear" is, historically, just a rote, meaningless salutation.

Now that that's settled, do you want to talk about shoes, or perhaps suits, for interviews? :)

Yes, it's clearly a stress response to focus on minutiae, but it's also something that's within your control, so it's a relatively harmless displacement activity--as opposed to trying to outguess what a SC is thinking.

[yellowtractor]

I agree that "Dr." is perfectly fine, not to mention less cumbersome than some of the other options.  But I still want to plug "Honeylambkins."

[laurel_knx]

Is there another acceptable opening other than "Dear" - that always makes me feel a bit squeamish

It gets to me, too. But knowing that the following is true:

"Dear" is, historically, just a rote, meaningless salutation.

I have forced myself to use it for job-related emails. It freaks me out a little less now having "dear"-ed a wide variety of strangers this year. Knowing that is absolutely required makes it easier to use, too. I will not "hi" anyone professionally again.

[david_perlmutter]

If somebody is an associate dean, address them as "Dean." It's correct as a form of address and they will like it! It's also polite. Would you be happy if, on the TT, somebody addressed you as "Dear Assistant Professor..." I always introduce and csp with faculty, whatever their rank, using "Professor." If for some reason I am talking to undergrads, about their instructor who is a grad student or adjunct, I also say "Professor..."

When dealing with unknown people on a SC, always err on the side of formal salutations and greetings. Wait for them to say, "Please call me Bob."

[dtermine]

Thanks for the replies - I will go with "Dear Dean...."
Now for those new shoes......