Is thank you letter following interview neccessary?

[dokita]

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Hi guys,

I just want to ask if a thank you letter following interview is neccessary. Who do you address such letter to and how? Should it be snail mail or email will be just fine. Also what should be the content of such letter. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

--dokita

 

[Idiopathic]

WITHOUT QUESTION!

After all interviews, send a thank-you card to anyone who did ANYTHING with you. I sent a minimum of 6 at every interview I went to (no small $, either). I filled some of them out ahead of time, wrote down the names of interviewers and chaperones, and mailed them as soon as I left.

 

[DOtobe]

I think it would be a nice gesture, but I'm not sure it is necessary. I got into LECOM before I even had a chance to write a thank you note (I was working at the time and writing a note was not the first thing on my mind).

As to who to address the letter to, I'd say the interviewer(s) or possibly the admissions person who is in charge of your group for the day. I'd use snail mail instead of email, since your own handwriting is more personal.

But as I said, I don't think thank you notes are necessarily a requirement...

 

[LP1CW]

My dad is a professor, physician. He said that it a waste and that it is seen as kissing butt. It's generally known and believed that we do it because we feel we should and are not because we are acting out of a heart of sincerity. It comes off as fake. So, I'm not doing it. Because what I'd like to say is: "Thanks for making me sweat, thanks for being late for the interview, not maintaining an interest, being distract, thanks for putting me through another bs day of listening to financial aid crap, school junk...incidentally, FAFSA is the same thing at every school...so thanks for more bs to deal with during this wonderful process of stressing us out."

 

[DOin2007]

Though it sounds almost harsh, I actually agree with LP1CW's response. In my experience, I got in, and I didn't send out a thank you note. Even if I wanted to send one out, it would have been late because my acceptance letter was sent out 2 days after my interview. Plus, here's the way I look at it....it's definitely appropriate to send out a thank you note when you're interviewing for a professional job where there are relatively few candidates. In med school interviews, the interviewers come in contact with so many applicants that 1) they won't remember who you are when they're reading your note, and 2) they're probably so busy this time of year that they won't even carefully read your note because they know that it's one of those "this is what I think I SHOULD do, not what I necessarily WANT to do" formalities. In the end, do what you want and what you think will give you the best shot.

 

[Idiopathic]

Just because you got in and didnt do it, doesnt mean it shouldnt be done. It is the courteous, respectful, and polite thing to do. I had my acceptance waiting for me when I got home, but I still sent thank you cards. Whether you look at it as an attempt to gain something or as a polite gesture, it is important.

 

[DireWolf]

Completely unnecessary.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Just tell them, "thank you" when you get up to leave the room.

 

[deleted9493]

While they might enjoy doing it, interviewing candidates is probably an obligatory function. It's not like anybody is doing a favor for you.

If you do feel compelled to write a thank you card, wait until you have been accepted or rejected before sending it and make mention of your status in the note (e.g. "I've been rejected, but I wanted to say thanks for making me feel welcomed to the program here...". This allows demonstration of intentions that are good and right.

I won't be writing any letters but if I were...this would be how I would do it.

 

[Idiopathic]

This is complete nonsense and goes against every notion of sanity that I know as familiar...when you interview at a medical school, you send a thank you card to the people who interviewed you. It isnt a philosophical matter, or a practical matter, but a nice thing to do. Karma never hurts, either...

 

[polo8250]

I just wanted to say that i like your avatar!! I don't know too many people who know who strongbad is..lol😛

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

You are applying to a professional school, and you are expected to become a profressional. Therefore you should write a thank you card.

Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Will it help you get in or keep you from getting in? Most likely no to both.

There are some people who throw them right in the trash and do feel that the student is kissing butt. But there are others who actually expect them, and get disappointed when they don't receive one.

In the end, it won't hurt to send one. If anything, you may make someone feel that their effort to take the time to interview you was worth it. Remember, most schools have students, outside affiliated physicians and/or professors to sit-in on interviews. They are taking personal time for you.

Do you need to send a minimum of 6 thank you cards? No.


Good Luck to everyone applying this year. YOU ALL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE GETTING YOURSELVES INTO!!!!!!! Trust me, I thought I knew how tenuous it would be. Multiply it by 10 and that's what you can expect! But i LOVE it !!!! It's great and is totally worth it!

 

[luckystar]

I sent one thank you card to the Admission's office of each school I interviewed at. I brought it with me to the interview, so I dropped it in the mail before I headed back home. It was those smaller-sized(3.5"x5"), very simple, blank-on-the-inside but nice-looking cards, so I didn't have to write much. I agree with SM-UCLA tech, that this is just a courteous gesture and won't sway their decision either way. What you write determines whether or not this is an act of butt-kissing, but sending the card itself, with a short, simple message inside is more on the side of politeness, like Idiopathic said.

 

[DireWolf]

once again... completely unnecessary.

 

[LP1CW]

It's not going to help us. They won't be like..his MCAT was okay, grades were fair...i was on the fence with this kid...but then this sweet note game and I said, "Damn he'll be a fine doctor with such good penmanship" Why waste your time guys? karma? I think when we operate from a sincere heart and do things because we want to do it that's a good place to be, but none us are feeling terribly altruistic at this stage when it comes to adcoms..interviews...the discourse could be challenging and unpleasant and we'll still put up a front....I don't care how many of you think you're doing it for some greater reason than kissing ass...you're just not being completely honest...you're still trying to sell yourself...A card won't fix deficits in any application...wait toss 50 bucks in it...that might be more persuasive

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

DireWolf.....you are totally right. Completely unnecessary!


LP1CW....you are missing the point!!!!!! You make it seem as if your world will crumble if you show a polite gesture.

I wrote thank you cards after interviews because it was "polite". But that's just me. I feel it is important to treat people with respect, and that just part of my demeanor.


Don't feel you must be obligated. If you are not the type of person that likes to do it, then don't do it. But by no means should you think that it's something that people should not do. I really feel that it is proper to send one.

It's like showing up at a housewarming party without a gift.

 

[DunkinDOnut]

If you are sitting on a waitlist then it might be beneficial to remind them who you are and your continued interest in their school. But as a formality, I don't see the necessity.

 

[luckystar]

Originally posted by LP1CW
It's not going to help us. They won't be like..his MCAT was okay, grades were fair...i was on the fence with this kid...but then this sweet note game and I said, "Damn he'll be a fine doctor with such good penmanship" Why waste your time guys? karma? I think when we operate from a sincere heart and do things because we want to do it that's a good place to be, but none us are feeling terribly altruistic at this stage when it comes to adcoms..interviews...the discourse could be challenging and unpleasant and we'll still put up a front....I don't care how many of you think you're doing it for some greater reason than kissing ass...you're just not being completely honest...you're still trying to sell yourself...A card won't fix deficits in any application...wait toss 50 bucks in it...that might be more persuasive

I didn't think one could have such strong feelings about a thank you card. 😀

Again, SM-UCLA tech's posts echo my sentiments exactly.

 

[bobg504]

If it's something you want to do, then do it. Personally, I didn't and just got an acceptance to DMU and soon to be accepted to UHS (hopefully). It is a nice gesture, but if they don't let you in over a stupid card, I don't think it's the place you should be.

 

[Buster Douglas]

Originally posted by LP1CW
My dad is a professor, physician. He said that it a waste and that it is seen as kissing butt. It's generally known and believed that we do it because we feel we should and are not because we are acting out of a heart of sincerity. It comes off as fake.

I, personally, think it wouldn't hurt to write thank you letters. Not everyone is so self-centered to think that a common formal gesture of thanks is some form of ass kissing. These are the kind of people that try to justify not buying gifts at Christmas time for their "loved ones". Try telling your GF next Valentines Day that February 14th is overrated and flowers are meaningless. Maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but seriously... "Where's the love ya'll?"

 

[WillowRose]

Not necessary. Even without the non-sincere/butt-kissing argument, why would I write a note to thank someone for doing their job? Polite? Maybe, but that's taking manners to a whole new level where just because I'm being polite or professional, I'm sending out formal notes to anyone who does anything at all for me.

Does it make a difference? Certainly not (and I know this from experience).

Lest you think I'm just an impolite ingrate, I own thank you cards and have already used them in relation to my application, but in places where I was sincere and actually felt that showing my appreciation *would* make a difference. I sent a note to the doctor I shadowed in August (also switched my kids over to her office, but that's another story..hehe). I will send notes to the folks who are writing letters for me in the next couple of weeks--giving them some time to actually get those letters in.

It's really up to you if you want to send them or not. I personally think the time and effort is better spent elsewhere.

Will~

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

hmmmm.......let's see.....i seem to remember that at least two of the three people that interviewed me here did so because they wanted to. neither of them were paid. So the "it's their job" argument doesn't wash there. One was an MS-III and the other was an alumni.

Also, it's never a waste of time to be polite. That's an important thing to remember sometimes as a physician.

 

[WillowRose]

I am well aware that interviewers are often volunteers rather than faculty members. However, they are still doing the job they signed up to do *for the school*--I think that's my main feeling about it. Whether they get monetary compensation or not, they are doing something for the school, not for me. A polite smile and a sincere thank you (if warranted) at the time of the interview is all that is required.

For example, if an interviewer said she/he was going to recommend that I be admitted, I would certainly thank her at the time of the interview (and be sincere). But, I've also been in interviews (many years ago) where the interviewer didn't even attempt to find out anything about me. Does that require the same response as the first scenario? I don't think so. There's polite and then there's patsy. I'm not going to send out a thank you letter that isn't sincere (unless it's for a wedding gift and then if you don't, people get mad).

Sometimes the most polite thing to do is to say nothing at all. 🙂 If I can't send a thank you note that is actually personal--not just that fake generalized thank you, then I won't send it. "Thank you for taking the time to interview me" doesn't mean much to the person sending it or the person receiving it. At the most, you'll get someone to think "Oh look...a thank you note." Now if that person actually had some impact on me, I might reconsider my position...maybe if she gave me a tip on a good horse....

Will~

 

[Idiopathic]

I really think most of you are missing the point. This isnt always about helping you get your spot, this is about what is polite and respectful. Whether the interviewers ever read the card or not. And considering the number of random buttkissing things you will have to do for the rest of your life, it would be good to get in the habit😉

Unneccesary...maybe. But definitely appropriate.

 

[WillowRose]

Idiopathic,

I understood your point. I just don't agree with it! 🙂 I think a general thank-you note is no more polite than no note at all. I'll kiss some butt if I need to, but I prefer to do it face-to-ass! LOL