Help with how to send thank you letter please!

[Kiroro]

I just had an interview with 12 faculty members and finished writing thank you letter for all of them but am not sure about if I should just send them all in one envelope with Attn: to the program secretary and have her deliver each to individual attendings? or should I send one for each attenings (12 envelopes and 12 stamps)??

Please advise. Thank you!

[ResidentMD]

Originally Posted by Kiroro

I just had an interview with 12 faculty members and finished writing thank you letter for all of them but am not sure about if I should just send them all in one envelope with Attn: to the program secretary and have her deliver each to individual attendings? or should I send one for each attenings (12 envelopes and 12 stamps)??

Please advise. Thank you!

I would do 12 envelopes. Seriously? You want the PC to do your work? I know its logical to ask her to do it, and in all probability, it will come back to her (all 12 letters) to place in your file. It just looks really weird though. I am sure you will be remembered, and I am not sure I want to be remembered for something like this.

[agatha721]

Should we be sending thank you letters to all who interviewed us? I was just planning on sending one to the chairman or PD if they were the ones who interviewed me...

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Originally Posted by agatha721

Should we be sending thank you letters to all who interviewed us? I was just planning on sending one to the chairman or PD if they were the ones who interviewed me...

I just send one letter to the PD and specifically mention my interviewers in the letter.

[lakeplacid]

For medical school interviews, I sent a card to each person who interviewed me--this was usually 2-3 per school. I personally thought it was excessive and don't think it did anything to help.

For program interviews, I'm having a harder time sending out cards/letters to each person, because there are many more: 5-10 per program. And some of the interviews were a little uncomfortable. I don't know, should I just send a letter to the PD and chair, or send cards to everyone who interviewed me even the ones who didn't seem to care for me? I think it's pointless to send a card saying you really enjoyed chatting with someone when it was pretty obvious they were reading your app at the time of the interview *shrug*. If some other folks would care to give input, that'd be great...

[doc20]

are we still in 19th century that we need to send stamped postmark thank you letters? I thought email was the preferred means of communication and sending one to every faculty that interviewed was the a good secure way to get it to them directly without involving our dysnfunctional USPS and secretaries?

[SwineLake98]

Originally Posted by WhoisJohnGalt

I just send one letter to the PD and specifically mention my interviewers in the letter.

This is the info I was looking for! Everyone will tell you "don't forget to send thank you notes," but now as I'm getting out on the interview trail, I realized no one mentioned if we only send them to the PD or everyone who interviewed us. I think I'll go with your suggestion. As for e-mail versus snail mail, our dean told us that e-mail is OK, but handwritten notes are "really appreciated" (if they can read your writing)! She just wanted to make sure we did them. I plan on handwriting. I know I always appreciate a little bit more a real piece of paper!

[ResidentMD]

Originally Posted by SwineLake98

This is the info I was looking for! Everyone will tell you "don't forget to send thank you notes," but now as I'm getting out on the interview trail, I realized no one mentioned if we only send them to the PD or everyone who interviewed us. I think I'll go with your suggestion. As for e-mail versus snail mail, our dean told us that e-mail is OK, but handwritten notes are "really appreciated" (if they can read your writing)! She just wanted to make sure we did them. I plan on handwriting. I know I always appreciate a little bit more a real piece of paper!

I agree -handwritten notes are the way to go. The only thing I think about is - how do they get back to us?

It has become so convenient to hit the reply button to an email. But when you get a thank you note, you probably need to track down that interviewee's email ID, and then make the effort to send him/her the response.

I was leaning towards email only so that I can at least get a response back. Any thoughts?

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by doc20

are we still in 19th century that we need to send stamped postmark thank you letters? I thought email was the preferred means of communication and sending one to every faculty that interviewed was the a good secure way to get it to them directly without involving our dysnfunctional USPS and secretaries?

The attendings interviewing you may live in the 19th century.

While some may prefer email and its certainly easier for you, there is something to be said for the fact that sending a handwritten note shows that you spent more time and care with your response. Email simply is not as formal and doesn't involve the same level of involvement/work on your part.

Bear in mind that what you clearly think is old-fashioned is considered polite and appropriate in many professional and social circles. I know that when my consultants want to thank for me sending them business they do not email/text/phone me but send a nice letter on embossed stationary. I wouldn't think any less of them if they did send an email or text but I have to admit getting the letter is nice.

Use of wax stamp seals is up to you, however (very nice if you are real old skool).

On another note, I'd think sending 12 letters seems a bit much; I'm not sure where the line is between enough and too much but I'd agree that in those situations (ie, more than perhaps 4 letters), one to the PD mentioning your interviewers names is appropriate. If there is a faculty member whom you thought was especially involved or interested/interesting, then an additional one to that person could be warranted.

ResidentMD: just include your email in the handwritten letter - if they are inclined to write, they will.

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by Kiroro

I just had an interview with 12 faculty members and finished writing thank you letter for all of them but am not sure about if I should just send them all in one envelope with Attn: to the program secretary and have her deliver each to individual attendings? or should I send one for each attenings (12 envelopes and 12 stamps)??

Please advise. Thank you!

See my comments above about the 12 interviews and letters.

I've noticed that most of your posts have several grammatical errors. This is an internet BB so I don't care about your sentence structure here.

However, you might consider (if the way you write here is an accurate reflection of your use of the English language) having someone review your letters for grammar and sentence structure before sending them.

This isn't mean to be hurtful, but to offer some constructive criticism. You appear to be applying to Nsgy which has a fair number of uptight surgeons who may notice things like grammar.

[LucidSplash]

As an adjunct - normally I would default to the hand-written note on nice stationary. However, when the program goes out of their way to provide you with the a list of the e-mail addresses of your interviewers, is this their way of directing you to that form of communication? Normally I refuse to allow myself to engage in this sort of "OMG WHAT IF I MAKE THE WRONG IMPRESSION" thinking and just make it a point to be myself. But it WOULD be so much easier to write the e-mail and if that's what they'd prefer...

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by LucidSplash

As an adjunct - normally I would default to the hand-written note on nice stationary. However, when the program goes out of their way to provide you with the a list of the e-mail addresses of your interviewers, is this their way of directing you to that form of communication? Normally I refuse to allow myself to engage in this sort of "OMG WHAT IF I MAKE THE WRONG IMPRESSION" thinking and just make it a point to be myself. But it WOULD be so much easier to write the e-mail and if that's what they'd prefer...

I think if they make a special point to give out the emails *perhaps* that is their intent. Who knows? The reality is that few will be offended with an email instead of a letter with a nice little wax stamp on the back. All of this does not make a significant difference in your application. Its not really how you say it, but what you say in these cases.

BTW, I see you have quoted me in your sig. Good stuff (and inside joke that a few outsiders have found offensive apparently).

[LucidSplash]

Originally Posted by Winged Scapula

BTW, I see you have quoted me in your sig. Good stuff (and inside joke that a few outsiders have found offensive apparently).

That's silly (to be offended) - the real-world FM lounges really do have cookies more often than any other specialty.

Besides, it made me chuckle, fits my "life POV," and is a much more creative way to say "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." Glad you're not upset that I borrowed it.

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by LucidSplash

That's silly (to be offended) - the real-world FM lounges really do have cookies more often than any other specialty.

Besides, it made me chuckle, fits my "life POV," and is a much more creative way to say "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." Glad you're not upset that I borrowed it.

No worries...heck I stole it from the former moderator there. I can't remember when or how he said it but it was in response to some students/residents bitching about something in another specialty forum and he said, "hey we have cookies in the FM Forum c'mon over there." For some reason it stuck with me.

My surgical office has good cookies and chocolates, BTW (which I have to fight to keep my partner from eating).

[ResidentMD]

Originally Posted by Winged Scapula

I think if they make a special point to give out the emails *perhaps* that is their intent. Who knows? The reality is that few will be offended with an email instead of a letter with a nice little wax stamp on the back. All of this does not make a significant difference in your application. Its not really how you say it, but what you say in these cases.

BTW, I see you have quoted me in your sig. Good stuff (and inside joke that a few outsiders have found offensive apparently).

Pardon my ignorance - but what's with the wax stamp? Do people still do this (honest question)?

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by ResidentMD

Pardon my ignorance - but what's with the wax stamp? Do people still do this (honest question)?

I was just goofing around given the earlier poster's comments about letters being "19th century". Since glued envelopes didn't exist at the time, the wax sealing stamps were used. I liked them when I was a young girl and used them too.

YOU do not have to use them (its sorta nice on formal things like wedding invitations though, IMHO).

[DarthNeurology]

Originally Posted by Kiroro

I just had an interview with 12 faculty members and finished writing thank you letter for all of them but am not sure about if I should just send them all in one envelope with Attn: to the program secretary and have her deliver each to individual attendings? or should I send one for each attenings (12 envelopes and 12 stamps)??

Please advise. Thank you!

It would be interesting to hear the point of view of the interviewers concerning thank you letters. I.e. if they interview 200+ people do they really have the time to open and read each letter?? It sounds like making busy work for people. I did write a bunch of very well thought out thank you letters to a place that I wanted to go to big time, but didn't match there so I think it can make you look bad to send them as it could make you look desparate.

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by DarthNeurology

It would be interesting to hear the point of view of the interviewers concerning thank you letters. I.e. if they interview 200+ people do they really have the time to open and read each letter?? It sounds like making busy work for people. I did write a bunch of very well thought out thank you letters to a place that I wanted to go to big time, but didn't match there so I think it can make you look bad to send them as it could make you look desparate.

At least in surgery, not many people write thank you letters, so we aren't reading all that many. Those that do, are only a few lines long, so takes about a nanosecond to read and pass off to the PC to put into the applicant's file.

I don't think anyone considers them desparate unless there are tear stains and bloodletting on the paper.

Remember these things are NOT for helping you match. They make NO difference in whether you match or not. Write them because its the polite thing to do, not because you think its going to get you something.

[Kiroro]

Originally Posted by agatha721

Should we be sending thank you letters to all who interviewed us? I was just planning on sending one to the chairman or PD if they were the ones who interviewed me...

Send letters to all of the people you interviewed. Everybody has a vote and everybody deserves a thank you for taking time talking with you.

[Kiroro]

Originally Posted by DarthNeurology

It would be interesting to hear the point of view of the interviewers concerning thank you letters. I.e. if they interview 200+ people do they really have the time to open and read each letter?? It sounds like making busy work for people. I did write a bunch of very well thought out thank you letters to a place that I wanted to go to big time, but didn't match there so I think it can make you look bad to send them as it could make you look desparate.

It truly sucks having to write so many thank you letters. Especially for my specialty, we need to go from 15-20 interviews to ensure matching so it's even more tedious. That being said, programs want to match people that are high on their rank list. So if there is a good sign that you are interested in going to that program over many other appicants, then they will tend to rank you higher. We don't like to match into a program that's #15 on our rank list. They don't want a candidate that's #15 on their list either... So basically, I think writing letter helps some, especially if you continue to keep in touch with them in some form throughout the process.

[It'sElectric]

I'm sending thank you letters primarily just to the PDs (unless there was a particular interviewer who I connected with). For what it's worth, I spoke with a former PD who said that he thinks it's important and worth sending actual thank you cards (vs email). He said they keep the cards and put them away in your file. I highly doubt it's ever going to be the deciding factor, but hell, it can't hurt.

[southernIM]

I'm doing "real mail" thank-yous to the PD and dept chair. At my first interview there was a very personable faculty who I "clicked" with and he will probably get one as well (though he did give me his card and encouraged me to e-mail him so I may go that route for him). I think writing 10+ per interview is a bit excessive (plus I will run out of stationary).

For the programs that end up high on my list, I think later in the season I will e-mail the PDs with some additional follow-up.

[hanjoko]

Originally Posted by Kiroro

Send letters to all of the people you interviewed. Everybody has a vote and everybody deserves a thank you for taking time talking with you.

So just out of curiosity, suppose you interview 3 faculty members. Do you guys write each one a VERY different letter? i.e. nothing is identical in any of the letters?

I plan to tailor my letters to each individual but there are some lines I would like to re-use, e.g. "this is xxx from xxx who you interviewed last week" or "I believe that your program is blah blah blah"

Is this okay or definitely a no-no since they are going to put all 3 letters together in your file and therefore they will see you use the same line?

[lakeplacid]

Another quick question:

I interviewed with a couple faculty at my home program who also wrote me LORs (chair, PD, etc.) I was wondering if in my thank you note, I should also thank them for writing an LOR, or if I should just focus on the interview and how much I liked the program. Yes, I probably should have written a thank you card much earlier for the LOR, but I didn't think of it until now...

[DarthNeurology]

Originally Posted by Winged Scapula

At least in surgery, not many people write thank you letters, so we aren't reading all that many. Those that do, are only a few lines long, so takes about a nanosecond to read and pass off to the PC to put into the applicant's file.

I don't think anyone considers them desparate unless there are tear stains and bloodletting on the paper.

Remember these things are NOT for helping you match. They make NO difference in whether you match or not. Write them because its the polite thing to do, not because you think its going to get you something.

Is signing the thank you note in blood included under the rubric of "blood letting"?, especially if it wasn't my blood?


It sounds like from WS post that not everybody does thank you notes, but that if nobody did it then presumably somebody would get upset? I write thank you notes when I mean it, like if a place I went to was great, i.e. if I rotated there and loved the attendings. If a place was so-so, or worse, then why make up a bogus thank you note? It *is* interesting that the thank you note is put in the applicants file though. In the end, you may be giving people more fodder for your file which could be seen in a bad light. Some residents write thank you notes with teddy bears on them, . . . and this is laughed about for *years* after the person interviewed.

[Winged Scapula]

Darth you are making the common mistake that thank you notes are only for programs you like.

It doesn't matter if it was a fantastic or mediocre experience. You are writing to thank the program for it's consideration of your application and for going to the time, trouble and expense of interviewing you. These things are expensive, difficult to organize and I can tell you from personal experience, it's unpleasant to spend two days (especially if I wasn't scheduled to be on-we interviewed on the weekends) preparing for candidates who don't show or whom are clearly not interested. The vast majority of applicants are fantastic of course but when you give up your free time and spend money, the few ungrateful bad apples stand out.

I was raised in an era and by parents who stressed the importance of thank you notes and you can bet that most attendings were as well. That said I've had to get used to a society where manners are seen as "19th century" and I suspect most of your interviewers have as well and don't expect thank you letters.

I wouldn't worry about what happens to your letter. If you are that big of an impression that faculty are going back and reviewing your note, you have either done very well or very poorly. But use plain white or embossed cards or letters, save the Teddy bear notes for grandma.

[DarthNeurology]

Originally Posted by Winged Scapula

Darth you are making the common mistake that thank you notes are only for programs you like.

It doesn't matter if it was a fantastic or mediocre experience. You are writing to thank the program for it's consideration of your application and for going to the time, trouble and expense of interviewing you. These things are expensive, difficult to organize and I can tell you from personal experience, it's unpleasant to spend two days (especially if I wasn't scheduled to be on-we interviewed on the weekends) preparing for candidates who don't show or whom are clearly not interested. The vast majority of applicants are fantastic of course but when you give up your free time and spend money, the few ungrateful bad apples stand out.

I was raised in an era and by parents who stressed the importance of thank you notes and you can bet that most attendings were as well. That said I've had to get used to a society where manners are seen as "19th century" and I suspect most of your interviewers have as well and don't expect thank you letters.

I wouldn't worry about what happens to your letter. If you are that big of an impression that faculty are going back and reviewing your note, you have either done very well or very poorly. But use plain white or embossed cards or letters, save the Teddy bear notes for grandma.

OK, I see your point.

However, after having paid sometimes $400 for a plane ticket to podunk residency program in the middle of nowhere, sometimes paid for a hotel room and transportation to the interview, and show up and the interviewer doesn't seem to have read my application and we get the same food as the residents . . . Hello? I guess this is why some programs send thank you notes to applicants too, both sides put a lot of energy into it.

Some programs put a lot of time and expense into wining and dining residents, true. However, I felt that if I sent a thank you note to a residency program that I didn't like it would give the false impression that I would somehow rank them higher.

I guess I have been appropriately schooled as thank you notes would be/are nice. However, some attendings can be beyond abrasive to students, . . . after my first few clerkships I was like "Wow, most doctors have no manners and are creeps." Personally I like the graciousness of people who have manners, but these manners are beaten out of you in medical school. It does look old fashion and plain goofy to write a thank you letter to attendings for having the privilege of interviewing somewhere when they go cuss out of the next student in line.

[LucidSplash]

I hear and understand all your complaints Darth. It does seem unbalanced and lack of a thank you note in such circumstances would seem like appropriate quid pro quo.

However, IMHO, I look at these situations as times when I find it important to act appropriately/do what I know is the right thing even when another party isn't doing so. For me, just because the program might suck at being appropriately prepared for my interview day doesn't mean I'm free of my obligations.

That's just my $0.02.

And that's coming from someone petty enough to consider it a mark against a program because they did not provide breakfast and apparently had to fight the department to get funds for the cheese cubes provided at the Meet & Greet with the residents.

Originally Posted by DarthNeurology

OK, I see your point.

However, after having paid sometimes $400 for a plane ticket to podunk residency program in the middle of nowhere, sometimes paid for a hotel room and transportation to the interview, and show up and the interviewer doesn't seem to have read my application and we get the same food as the residents . . . Hello? I guess this is why some programs send thank you notes to applicants too, both sides put a lot of energy into it.

Some programs put a lot of time and expense into wining and dining residents, true. However, I felt that if I sent a thank you note to a residency program that I didn't like it would give the false impression that I would somehow rank them higher.

I guess I have been appropriately schooled as thank you notes would be/are nice. However, some attendings can be beyond abrasive to students, . . . after my first few clerkships I was like "Wow, most doctors have no manners and are creeps." Personally I like the graciousness of people who have manners, but these manners are beaten out of you in medical school. It does look old fashion and plain goofy to write a thank you letter to attendings for having the privilege of interviewing somewhere when they go cuss out of the next student in line.

[MedObsession]

I agree... It's simply good manners to send a thank you note. I sent a letter to everyone I interviewed with (residents and faculty alike) and included at least 1 individualized sentence specific to our interview.

Regarding the first question about the 12 thank you letters, I went to a few programs where the program coordinator specifically asked for applicants to mail all letters in one large envelope. Some departments have all of the faculty mail boxes in a central area and they would have likely had to distribute them anyhow. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by LucidSplash

And that's coming from someone petty enough to consider it a mark against a program because they did not provide breakfast and apparently had to fight the department to get funds for the cheese cubes provided at the Meet & Greet with the residents.

That's 'cause you're applying for the wrong specialty LS. Surgery programs are notoriously cheap - no hotels, lousy cheese cubes, maybe something frm the cafeteria. It just toughens you up for residency.

You want croissants and French milled coffee at your interviews? Apply for Derm.

[LucidSplash]

Originally Posted by Winged Scapula

That's 'cause you're applying for the wrong specialty LS. Surgery programs are notoriously cheap - no hotels, lousy cheese cubes, maybe something frm the cafeteria. It just toughens you up for residency.

You want croissants and French milled coffee at your interviews? Apply for Derm.

Except that the majority of my interviews ARE providing dinner, breakfast, and lunch and at least 3 are providing hotels. Maybe it has something to do with the wide range of programs I applied to - I've got interviews at the more desperate ones?

[Winged Scapula]

Originally Posted by LucidSplash

Except that the majority of my interviews ARE providing dinner, breakfast, and lunch and at least 3 are providing hotels. Maybe it has something to do with the wide range of programs I applied to - I've got interviews at the more desperate ones?

Maybe, or maybe the programs I applied to and trained at were just cheap (actually Hershey did supply hotel and food-probably why I ranked them high )

[tarlovcyst]

Agree with Winged Scapula.

Though email is the preferred communication for us youngsters, many of the current (and especially older) attendings are more old school.

Write thank you cards or letters. They don't need to be an essay. Just 4-5 lines with your email under your signature.

Keep in mind that thank you cards, in 99% of the time, do not affect where you end up on the rank list. They are just a sign of professionalism and courtesy, especially in this medical career.

Don't send an email for the ease of the interviewer to reply back or just because you are curious what their afterthoughts were. Simply mail your thank you card. Put your email address at the bottom of the card. If they really want to reply back, they will. Sometimes, when you email your interviewer, they feel pressured that they need to reply back, or it shows some desperation on your part to elicit a reply.

To make things short, hand write your thank yous for program directors and attendings that interview you. Emailing fellows or residents is fine.

[lilzelda2]

When should we send out the letters? A week or month later?

[artesian]

What exactly does one include in a thank you letter? are there samples on the internet somewhere or is everybody just winging it?

[tarlovcyst]

The thing I always tell other medical students is to send out thank you cards the day of your interview. I always would try to mail them right before you leave the city or that area. You want to remain fresh in the program director's or interviewer's mind when they receive your thank you card.

As to what to include in a thank you card, 4-5 lines should suffice. Start it off like -- It was a pleasure to meet (or interview) with you on so and so day. I enjoyed this and this. Talk about what you liked about the program and whether you are considering the program more now.

Again, 99% of the time, the thank you card will not affect your place on the rank list. It is just a token of professionalism that seems to be decreasing in this medical profession these days. The old school attendings and faculty will appreciate it. Keep in mind that they took our time out of their busy lives to talk to you and ultimately endorse you for the residency.

[lanzarlaluna]

Originally Posted by tarlovcyst

The thing I always tell other medical students is to send out thank you cards the day of your interview. I always would try to mail them right before you leave the city or that area. You want to remain fresh in the program director's or interviewer's mind when they receive your thank you card.

An equally valid argument that I've heard is to wait a few weeks; therefore, they are reminded of you just before all recollection of you disappears. The purpose of this would be to try and bridge the gap between now and the end of interview season. Of course, at this early of a stage, you would also have to email them here and there as a refresher as well.

That being said, as others have pointed out, thank you cards are just a no-brainer from a social niceties standpoint, which may be a foreign concept to some of my Yankee colleagues. *sarcasm*

[glasshouse]

I really don't think that interviewers care if you send an email versus snail mail! I think you guys are obsessing about nothing. I'm planning on sending emails...