LOR thank you notes/gifts

[OTLove]

Hi Everyone!

I've been trying to find some advice on when to give thank you notes to your LOR writers, what gift is appropriate, etc. and haven't been able to find a consensus. With my situation, I sent quick thank you notes when I was asking for the LORs, and wanted to wait until I received my decisions to send a more formal, handwritten note.
Unfortunately I was wait-listed, so I'm not quite sure how to put in the letter that I will be re-applying next year and will probably need another reference!! And if I should gift them a small gift card as a token of my appreciation for this past year?

If anyone has any advice or experience with this I would so greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!

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[raquel]

When I asked for my letters, I thanked the person when they agreed to write it and then when I received it. I did it via email. I would suggest you leave it at that. If you don't get in this year, I would periodically drop them an email throughout the year to just keep in touch.

 

[OTCareer]

I just thanked them in email left it at that.

 

[gymnastau]

I applied two years and felt a little uncomfortable asking them to print and sign letters a 2nd year. I shouldn't have been so worried though because everyone was super supportive and reminded me reapplying is often part of getting into graduate school.
Last year I sent each of them a thank you card by mail telling them how much appreciate their writing my letter, their mentorship and continued support.

 

[affa]

Hi Everyone!

I've been trying to find some advice on when to give thank you notes to your LOR writers, what gift is appropriate, etc. and haven't been able to find a consensus. With my situation, I sent quick thank you notes when I was asking for the LORs, and wanted to wait until I received my decisions to send a more formal, handwritten note.
Unfortunately I was wait-listed, so I'm not quite sure how to put in the letter that I will be re-applying next year and will probably need another reference!! And if I should gift them a small gift card as a token of my appreciation for this past year?

If anyone has any advice or experience with this I would so greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!

I gave one of mine some homemade hard cider and butter and sent the others chocolates for holiday gifts a few months after they wrote my letters. I think gift cards would be in an inappropriate gift, it seems too much like cash. A hand written note would be a sweet gesture and completely sufficient.