Grad student hosts

[hopsandskips]

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For interviews where you are staying with a graduate student, should you try to bring some kind of host gift? And if so, what type of thing?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I didn't, so I'd say it certainly isn't mandatory. If you do, definitely don't feel obligated to get anything expensive (i.e., aim for <$10). Maybe a coffee mug/some coffee, a bottle of not-too-expensive wine, or something similar.

Although again, I wouldn't feel pressured to do so.

 

[hopsandskips]

I didn't, so I'd say it certainly isn't mandatory. If you do, definitely don't feel obligated to get anything expensive (i.e., aim for <$10). Maybe a coffee mug/some coffee, a bottle of not-too-expensive wine, or something similar.

Although again, I wouldn't feel pressured to do so.

Thanks for replying! Was it common for other people to bring something or would it be unusual?

 

[WisNeuro]

nothing less than scotch, aged at least 18 years, maybe a fine smoked cheese.

 

[weeblewobble]

All of my applicants have, so at least for my small sample it's normal. I've gotten fancy chocolates, candles, and stuff that's unique to the person's hometown/university. I think just something small and thoughtful that shows your appreciation is wonderful, but not mandatory. The most essential thing is to be a polite guest.

 

[hopsandskips]

nothing less than scotch, aged at least 18 years, maybe a fine smoked cheese.

I will "accidentally" let the price tag of the scotch fall on the table

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks for replying! Was it common for other people to bring something or would it be unusual?

Not common but not unusual. If it's the type of thing you'd normally do anyway, then go for it. If not, no worries.

 

[calimich]

I've had several applicants stay with me over the years, not one brought a gift. Honestly I never considered it until this post and never heard fellow hosts say their people brought gifts. When I interviewed I did not bring a gift.

I'm wondering whether there is some class stuff going on here. It's expensive enough to travel for an interview and to me seems unreasonable pressure for an applicant to consider bringing a gift for the host. As someone else said, simply being a polite guest is the most essential.

 

[researchgirl]

I'm with calimich - never got a gift, never expected to or cared about it.

That being said, if any of you want to bring bottles of wine to my house, A+ for you.

 

[psychrat]

When I hosted an applicant, she mailed me a thank you note and Target gift card a week later. Not necessary, but very sweet.

 

[aly cat]

I've hosted 4 times and received a small gift half the time. One was a coffee cup from their university and the other was a bottle of BBQ sauce from their city (known for BBQ..). I thought it was a really nice touch but certainly not necessary.. I would definitely recommend sending a thank you note though, and either e-mail or hand written is perfectly appropriate.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I gave each a chocolate bar and a handwritten thank you that I gave them as we said goodbye. 🙂 I was so grateful and wanted to show them.

With that said, I never received a gift from any of the applicants *I* hosted and I don't really care.

 

[CBTFTW]

I've hosted several times, got a thank you card once and nothing on the other times. I was touched by the thank you card, but didn't expect it and was not offended at not getting anything from others. There's so much going on during interview season, I really don't expect people to add another item to their to-do list.

 

[hopsandskips]

I gave each a chocolate bar and a handwritten thank you that I gave them as we said goodbye. 🙂 I was so grateful and wanted to show them.

With that said, I never received a gift from any of the applicants *I* hosted and I don't really care.

Thanks, I like that idea a lot, seems thoughtful without being showy.

 

[syzergy]

I did something similar when I was on interviews. Short, handwritten note and a small bag of assorted chocolates.

 

[hopeful8]

Over the past few years, I've hosted several grad students; one of them gave me a gift (small box of chocolates), but the rest didn't. Don't feel pressure to bring a gift... coming empty handed will not hurt your chances or leave a bad impression. I offer to let applicants stay with me because I know the financial difficulties of interview travel... so I definitely do not expect applicants to spend money on a gift for me.

 

[FLpsychstudent]

As an interviewee, I tried to leave a thank you card and chocolates. Sometimes I didn't have time to write the card though. As a current grad student, a gift would be fine but I definitely would not expect one or be offended if someone didn't bring one. I think the most important thing is to just send a nice and personal thank you email after you leave, esp if they are in the lab you're applying to.

 

[buzzworm]

As a host, all I care about is getting a thank-you note or email -- it's nice to know that the person appreciated the effort I put into hosting. I've had a couple people leave chocolates, but I definitely don't think that's necessary.