How to Thank LOR Writers?

[JustinG]

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How do you formally thank your LOR writers? Is it ok to give them a Starbucks gift card? Or just a thank you card? I've heard giving gifts seem like a bribe, but I don't know how to thank them for their time.
Any thoughts?

 

[austinap]

How do you formally thank your LOR writers? Is it ok to give them a Starbucks gift card? Or just a thank you card? I've heard giving gifts seem like a bribe, but I don't know how to thank them for their time.
Any thoughts?

A nice, hand written thank you note is enough. Keeping in touch with them says a lot more about your appreciation for them than any cheap gift would. Personally, I'm sending my letter writers an autographed copy of my thesis. I've also kept up with these people since finishing undergrad a few years ago too.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

How do you formally thank your LOR writers? Is it ok to give them a Starbucks gift card? Or just a thank you card? I've heard giving gifts seem like a bribe, but I don't know how to thank them for their time.
Any thoughts?

A nice thank you note should do. There's no need to get your professors/supervisors gifts.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

A nice, hand written thank you note is enough. Keeping in touch with them says a lot more about your appreciation for them than any cheap gift would. Personally, I'm sending my letter writers an autographed copy of my thesis. I've also kept up with these people since finishing undergrad a few years ago too.

Half of my LOR writers gave me nice autographed copies of my thesis...covered in red pen.

 

[austinap]

Half of my LOR writers gave me nice autographed copies of my thesis...covered in red pen.

Was yours a bound doctoral thesis with your committee's signatures on it? Of course, this is after the red-pen stage, assuming my committee reads it at all.

 

[Superman DO]

If you are close enough to your letter writers, a verbal thank you and maybe a small gift card works. That is what I did for my writers. . .if you are not so close, a handwritten thank you card would work (just like you would after your interviews). If you do nothing else, just get accepted and let them know. . .it makes them very very very happy!

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'd keep in touch with them. I also brought them nice beer unavailable in North Carolina when I visited.

 

[austinap]

If you are close enough to your letter writers, a verbal thank you and maybe a small gift card works. That is what I did for my writers. . .if you are not so close, a handwritten thank you card would work (just like you would after your interviews). If you do nothing else, just get accepted and let them know. . .it makes them very very very happy!

I think that's the biggest thing. If they wrote a good letter for you, it's because they genuinely want you to do well. Teachers usually have a lot of pride in their students.

 

[DrSmooth]

I think a gift is fine, but it might make more sense after you get accepted somewhere or decide for sure where you will matriculate. Like a "recognizing your part in getting me where I am today" type of thing. That way it's not like a "bribe" for the letter, just a token of your appreciation in general. I think this would be very appreciated, especially if it is a gift you know they would appreciate. Like (I know this sounds totally lame) I gave one LOR writer a cool pictorial periodic table because she is really into the elements and actually does a nerdy "element of the day" intro at the start of each class. She loved it. Just think of your professors like normal people, most of them are.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Was yours a bound doctoral thesis with your committee's signatures on it? Of course, this is after the red-pen stage, assuming my committee reads it at all.

Nope. Just your garden variety undergrad thesis 😛

So, you'll be Dr. Professor austinap?

 

[austinap]

Nope. Just your garden variety undergrad thesis 😛

So, you'll be Dr. Professor austinap?

Only in Europe 😛

Maybe someday I can move to Germany and be Doctor Doctor Professor austinap 😀

 

[inkpen]

I sent my professors a hand written thank you note telling them that I was accepted and to thank them for tolerating me 🙂. However, I had to mail it to their school's mailbox. Should I let them know that I mailed it to them so they will be expecting it or will that kill the surprise of letting them know I got in?

 

[DrSmooth]

I sent my professors a hand written thank you note telling them that I was accepted and to thank them for tolerating me 🙂. However, I had to mail it to their school's mailbox. Should I let them know that I mailed it to them so they will be expecting it or will that kill the surprise of letting them know I got in?

I would take your chances and just let them be surprised 😉

 

[loveoforganic]

Same advice for people you'll have a continuing relationship with?

 

[298609]

I'd keep in touch with them. I also brought them nice beer unavailable in North Carolina when I visited.

i've done something similar for the people who are going to write me LOR's.
but we tight.



there's one kid at school who made out with his prof to show his thanks. but i mean, her name was Dr. Amanda Hugnkiss, so i figure she likes random guys making out with her.

 

[royalewthcheese]

Yeah wow I would totally make out with someone who wrote one of my LORs.

that's awkward

 

[298609]

Yeah wow I would totally make out with someone who wrote one of my LORs.

that's awkward

Dr. amanda hugnkiss....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrnhOLYjj0k

 

[robertson]

If you get your letters but you're taking a year or two off, should I just go ahead and send them a thank you note, and then another after I actually apply? I actually told them I was applying this round but I decided to take another year off so I guess I should update them about that.

 

[JustinG]

Thanks!

^^Ya I'm not sure why you really need to redate your letters if nothing has really changed from 1 yr to the next in terms of your relation to your prof. Can someone explain why reapplicants need to redate letters?

 

[Jolt21]

i was going to get them all mugs from the school I decide to attend, attached with a thank you note.

 

[inkpen]

i was going to get them all mugs from the school I decide to attend, attached with a thank you note.

I like that idea! I may do something similar.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

step one, cut a hole in the box..

 

[JustinG]

Why do reapplicants have to re-date their letters for the current year? Is this an absolute requirement?