Improper "Thank You" for LOR?

[Confused2626]

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For the LOR providers who are around me, I've taken them out to lunch or for a coffee as a little thank you.

I would like to do something for the ones who are far away. Once they submit my LOR, is it improper to send a thank you note with like a $5 or $10 gift card to Starbucks or something? Or will a thank you note suffice?

 

[DrJosephKim]

Do not give any gifts.

 

[AdemTD]

For the LOR providers who are around me, I've taken them out to lunch or for a coffee as a little thank you.

I would like to do something for the ones who are far away. Once they submit my LOR, is it improper to send a thank you note with like a $5 or $10 gift card to Starbucks or something? Or will a thank you note suffice?

I've wondered this myself.

 

[AdemTD]

Do not give any gifts.

Can you state why not to give anything to a letter writer? I am just curious. Thanks!

 

[235009]

bribes = wrong

money on a gift card is still money

a well written thank you note/email is the way to go

 

[Confused2626]

bribes = wrong

money on a gift card is still money

a well written thank you note/email is the way to go

I guess personally I don't see it as a bribe because the LOR is already sealed and submitted. But again, this is why I asked to see if it appears improper to an observer.

Thank you for the responses!

 

[BlueElmo]

I gave my letter writers $20 Starbucks gift cards along with a thank-you card before they wrote my letter.
All of them sent me an email thanking me for my "thoughtfulness." I don't think it's a bribe at all, I was just showing them my appreciation for taking the time our of their busy lives to do me a favor.

 

[flip26]

Do not give any gifts.

I agree with this.

Send them a nice hand written thank you after they submit the letter to Interfolio or wherever.

Then keep your letter writers periodically informed of your progress during the cycle, and let them know how it all turns out.

But gifts, no matter how token, should not be given. Poor etiquette for professionals.

 

[pietachok]

Wow. Seriously? I was going to give each of my writers a bottle of wine (and yes I know they all drink) along with a personalized heartfelt letter of thanks now that my 3 year process of applying has come to an end.

Albeit, I work with many of my writers, and am a non-trad, not a college student talking about giving a gift to a professor, but I think this is entirely appropriate. Not only are these the people who wrote my letters, but they also helped keep me motivated during the hell that has been getting into med school for me.

 

[EkramVahsedi86]

$5 starbucks gift card is fine AFTER he has already written it for you and submitted it and its after the fact. Some say $20 is too much, some say $0 is correct, but think about it if you just wrote a letter to help some student get into med school...

 

[binko]

No one is going to construe a Starbucks gift card as a bribe. Buying someone a cup of coffee or two is usually not enough to get their soul in the deal.

It's clear from this that none of you have actually tried bribing anyone recently.

 

[ar2388]

i gave my writers a box of Godiva and a hand written thank you card. 🙂 they seemed pleased.

 

[BlueElmo]

No one is going to construe a Starbucks gift card as a bribe. Buying someone a cup of coffee or two is usually not enough to get their soul in the deal.

It's clear from this that none of you have actually tried bribing anyone recently.

That's my thought exactly.

 

[09medstudent13]

Well to put a couple of thoughts together...

I personally think that a thoughfull and sincere letter of thanks goes a long way. There is an obvious difference between a heartfelt letter and a stock letter.

I also think that a small gift like something to a coffee shop or chocolates is fine as long as they are delivered after the letter has been written and submitted. That removes any question of a bribe, since it's after the fact.

I personally, just sent sincere thank you cards, and have kept them updated as my process unfolds. They seem to like being kept in the loop.