Business Cards

[icalz]

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So I interviewed at utsw today and over the course of the last 3 schools that I have visited I have been given 2 business cards by the interviewer followed by the statement "If you have any questions or comments just shoot me an email." One even said, "Stay in touch and let me know where you end up." Obviously this is not standard procedure or else everyone would've given me a card, which leads me to believe that this was a personal impulse on the part of the interviewer. My question is....well, one of confusion. Should I email them a 'thank you' or some type of appreciation email? Can anyone shed some light on their thought process because I'm sure these are very busy doctors and they don't need some pre-med sending them "how's it going?" emails.

I'm sure this has been covered in some other thread somewhere but couldn't find it.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Yes, you should definitely send your interviewers a thank-you note. No need to bother them otherwise unless you do have legitimate questions, but you should say thank you especially since you have their contact information.

 

[AlanAlanine]

It's just a friendly gesture; feel free to write them a thank you note. A lot of interviewers will give you a business card or an e-mail address and say something like that. But no, it doesn't mean you should e-mail them to say hey... what's up, doc?

In other words, don't read into it too much.

 

[dukemed22]

I seriously wonder where some of you guys actually come from. I mean, there is a thread asking if it would be appropriate to list that you worked as a stripper.... really? And another thread dealing with how to stay with a student host, where it outlines the basic guidelines of human-human interaction. I have no doubt that most kids on here are actually cool people, but some of these questions (including this one) truly baffle me.

OP, have you never been on interviews before (for jobs, school, volunteering, anything)? It is common practice for the interviewer to give a business card, and its also common practice for you to send a quick "Thanks for meeting with me" e-mail. Giving you a card doesn't mean anything, and also don't read much into it if he doesn't respond to your thank you. If you have some legitimate questions, ask them. If he says keep in touch... then keep in touch. This is how you go about building professional relationships. Who knows, if you build a solid relationship with this person and you end up going to his school, he may be able to help out once you start there.

Sorry if I was a little rude OP, but congrats on the interviews (you're obviously doing something right) and best of luck

 

[icalz]

I seriously wonder where some of you guys actually come from. I mean, there is a thread asking if it would be appropriate to list that you worked as a stripper.... really? And another thread dealing with how to stay with a student host, where it outlines the basic guidelines of human-human interaction. I have no doubt that most kids on here are actually cool people, but some of these questions (including this one) truly baffle me.

OP, have you never been on interviews before (for jobs, school, volunteering, anything)? It is common practice for the interviewer to give a business card, and its also common practice for you to send a quick "Thanks for meeting with me" e-mail. Giving you a card doesn't mean anything, and also don't read much into it if he doesn't respond to your thank you. If you have some legitimate questions, ask them. If he says keep in touch... then keep in touch. This is how you go about building professional relationships. Who knows, if you build a solid relationship with this person and you end up going to his school, he may be able to help out once you start there.

Sorry if I was a little rude OP, but congrats on the interviews (you're obviously doing something right) and best of luck

Nope, apology not accepted....you can't be rude and then just say sorry as a means of dismissing or excusing it entirely. Also, this entire forum is intended for people who need to get specific questions answered....the stripper came to the right place for advice.

I posted my question with the hopes that someone might provide me with a bit of advice that I hadn't already thought of....that perhaps there was something that I hadn't thought of. While your response is slightly appreciated it, it is entirely common sense, overtly obvious and pretty much unnecessary. I apologize if I conveyed the mistaken notion that I am completely oblivious to the practice of handing out business cards...and I especially apologize if I have been rude in return (there, all better now 🙂).

 

[DocMcCoy]

My SOP has been to send just a thank you email and tailor the message to have something about having a Happy Thanksgiving/Christmas/Holidays etc. for a little bit of a personal touch. Just a quick couple of sentences about how I liked the school.

About half of the interviewers have emailed me back afterwards to say 'thanks' for the thank you!

 

[dukemed22]

Nope, apology not accepted....you can't be rude and then just say sorry as a means of dismissing or excusing it entirely. Also, this entire forum is intended for people who need to get specific questions answered....the stripper came to the right place for advice.

I posted my question with the hopes that someone might provide me with a bit of advice that I hadn't already thought of....that perhaps there was something that I hadn't thought of. While your response is slightly appreciated it, it is entirely common sense, overtly obvious and pretty much unnecessary. I apologize if I conveyed the mistaken notion that I am completely oblivious to the practice of handing out business cards...and I especially apologize if I have been rude in return (there, all better now 🙂).

I accept your apology 🙂

Well, you did (at least to me) convey the notion that you were oblivious to the practice of handing out business cards, as you asked: "Should I email them a 'thank you' or some type of appreciation email?" And you were confused about what to do in this situation, and didn't think that handing out cards is a standard thing. If you already knew how to handle this, why create this thread? You should have worded the original post differently, or if I just completely misinterpreted what you meant, then I truly do apologize for that. Of course, if you have a specific question, then maybe ask that and someone may be able to help you out.

 

[doopdidoop]

I accept your apology 🙂

Well, you did (at least to me) convey the notion that you were oblivious to the practice of handing out business cards, as you asked: "Should I email them a 'thank you' or some type of appreciation email?" And you were confused about what to do in this situation, and didn't think that handing out cards is a standard thing. If you already knew how to handle this, why create this thread? You should have worded the original post differently, or if I just completely misinterpreted what you meant, then I truly do apologize for that. Of course, if you have a specific question, then maybe ask that and someone may be able to help you out.

it's not everywhere. in one interview, i didn't get a single one. and at another, i got four. it really depends on the interviewer and on the conversation you end up having with the person. an interview for med school isn't like a job interview - you're not applying to work for that particular person....they know that if you have any real questions that you should be directed to the admissions office and oftentimes don't see it as necessary to give you a business card. OP, i sent thank you cards to all my interviewers, but i wrote a more personal note to people who gave me business cards, recalling on specific topics we touched on during our conversation. and their cards were nicer

and there's really no reason to be so judgmental. a lot of stuff that seems like common sense to you isn't to others. the reason this forum exists is to provide a place where people interested in medicine can benefit from the experience and guidance of other students who have been through similar situations. i really don't understand why so many people on this forum are so mean, they usually don't even know the person! the average person wouldn't be so rude to a complete stranger in person...so why are people so quick to suddenly judge/attack people hiding behind anonymity on the internet? /rant

 

[icalz]

it's not everywhere. in one interview, i didn't get a single one. and at another, i got four. it really depends on the interviewer and on the conversation you end up having with the person. an interview for med school isn't like a job interview - you're not applying to work for that particular person....they know that if you have any real questions that you should be directed to the admissions office and oftentimes don't see it as necessary to give you a business card. OP, i sent thank you cards to all my interviewers, but i wrote a more personal note to people who gave me business cards, recalling on specific topics we touched on during our conversation. and their cards were nicer

and there's really no reason to be so judgmental. a lot of stuff that seems like common sense to you isn't to others. the reason this forum exists is to provide a place where people interested in medicine can benefit from the experience and guidance of other students who have been through similar situations. i really don't understand why so many people on this forum are so mean, they usually don't even know the person! the average person wouldn't be so rude to a complete stranger in person...so why are people so quick to suddenly judge/attack people hiding behind anonymity on the internet? /rant

Ok, thanks everyone...this is pretty much what I had assumed, but I wanted to ask in the off-chance that perhaps it might be ok to contact the interviewer with some questions about where I am in the process. I suppose this whole waiting game is starting to mess with my brain and I don't want to develop that stereotypical pre-med paranoia.

 

[doopdidoop]

Ok, thanks everyone...this is pretty much what I had assumed, but I wanted to ask in the off-chance that perhaps it might be ok to contact the interviewer with some questions about where I am in the process. I suppose this whole waiting game is starting to mess with my brain and I don't want to develop that stereotypical pre-med paranoia.

honestly, i don't think it's a bad thing if you want to email them with questions. they DID offer to answer questions in the first place....and oftentimes that person is your one link to the adcom. especially if you think you hit it off with your interviewer, i would shoot them an email. BUT don't be surprised if they can't answer your questions or direct you to the admissions office. a lot of times, interviewers present an applicant to the committee (usually just write a report....not even in person) and then don't really have much to do with your file as far as voting and stuff. most importantly though, don't be surprised or offended if they don't respond and i think one email should do it....you don't want to push it. good luck with your application and remember to breathe 🙂

 

[dukemed22]

i really don't understand why so many people on this forum are so mean, they usually don't even know the person! the average person wouldn't be so rude to a complete stranger in person...so why are people so quick to suddenly judge/attack people hiding behind anonymity on the internet? /rant

That's exactly why we're mean. I'm not going to be rude to someone I meet personally, so I'm forced to fill that void on a relatively anonymous forum such as this.