Gift for LoR writer

[emboli]

Hey all,

Been thinking about what I can do for my LoR writers. Besides a thank you card, what else would be appropriate? What do most people do??

I was thinking a gift card to Starbucks or something like that..

Ideas?

Thanks!

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[gutonc]

Hey all,

Been thinking about what I can do for my LoR writers. Besides a thank you card, what else would be appropriate? What do most people do??

I was thinking a gift card to Starbucks or something like that..

Ideas?

Thanks!

A thank you note is fine, and more than most people do.

 

[QuacksterVu]

A thank you note is fine, and more than most people do.

Agreed. A thank you note is good enough. However, I'd also add that it depends on how close you are to the letter writer and if the letter is "amazing".

In my particular case, I will be flying back to visit my letter writers during my interviews in the area. Some of my interviewers have remarked that the letters were "very strong", so I will be getting some personalized gifts for my writers as a special thank-you during my visit (read: wine for the wine enthusiast, bonsai for the green thumb, etc.).

 

[Winged Scapula]

A gift is really not necessary nor expected. If you spent a significant amount of time with someone (more than the typical rotation length) and they were especially helpful, I can understand your desire to do so, but honestly a thank you is enough.

 

[QuacksterVu]

A gift is really not necessary nor expected. If you spent a significant amount of time with someone (more than the typical rotation length) and they were especially helpful, I can understand your desire to do so, but honestly a thank you is enough.

Good to know. I'll just drop by and say hi during my visit then (already gave them a thank you card).

 

[inmyslumber]

A student that rotated in our department gave attendings a gift card from Starbucks after they agreed to write a letter (or evaluation). It felt strange.

Also, it seemed like a generic (i.e. I don't really know you and this gift will show you I have no imagination) gift. Just my opinion.

 

[Rebs28]

Just bumping this. Is the conclusion still that we shouldn't give gifts to our letter writers? I have just given thank you cards to the first three, but for the fourth, I was wondering about a plant - she has several nice plants in her office already that she cares for, and there's lots of sun.

 

[rkaz]

A thank you note is fine, and more than most people do.

This is something I wonder about also. I have already thanked some of my attendings multiple times over email (when they told me that they'd write the letter, when I emailed them my CV and other materials, when they told me that they had submitted the letter, etc). So I'm wondering if sending a card looks a bit oddly clingy by saying thanks over and over. For the attendings who I already gave a card at the end of the rotation, I won't send another card as that would be over the top. But for the one attending who I did not give a post-rotation card (but who I thanked at least 5-6 times over email over the course of the letter writing process), I'm wondering if a card is still necessary. I think she got the point that I appreciated her help.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Just bumping this. Is the conclusion still that we shouldn't give gifts to our letter writers?

Yes, the answer has not changed since last October.

Gifts are completely unnecessary.