Is this acceptable or can it be construed as a bribe?

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A letter of interest would suffice. At best, the gift would come off as gimmicky. At worst, it could be seen as unprofessional or even unethical.
 
waltzendless said:
I want to send some of the schools that I interviewed at a gift basket (either fruit or cookies) for the holidays with a message saying something along the lines of "I would like to express my continued interested in attending [school name] and in the meantime wish everyone happy holidays. Enjoy the cookies/fruit!"

Now, I intend for this to just be a reminder of continued interest in the schools with a bit of delicious presentation (who doesn't want to munch on some cookies at work? 😛). My friend joked that it sounds like a bribe and it made me reconsider my idea. I of course would not want the admissions to think I'm attempting to corrupt the office staff...

So, what do you guys think? Send them cookies and fruit? Letter without the pizzazz? Or send nothing at all and just hope for the best?
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Honestly, I would suggest that you don't do that for all the reasons you mentioned. You may also look desperate or something along those lines. Before people come in here and bash you (hopefully not), I think it was a nice and genuine idea. My mom would totally do something like this. Maybe you should just write a letter of interest and say happy holidays at the end. 🙂
 
Thanks for the responses guys! I will just send a card then. I'll save the cookies and fruits for the people who wrote me LOR's instead.
 
It's probably not a good idea, although if it were me I'd love to eat a basket full of cookies.
 
Send them to me with the names and addresses of the admissions offices. I'll take a look see, give them my stamp of approval or feast of rejection, and forward them on, if appropriate.

It's okay. I'm a certified food consultant. You can trust me like you can trust the President.
 
OP - not trying to make you paranoid, but you've gotta understand that the posters before me *might* be gunners sending their own gift baskets...

...Who's trying to have their gesture of delicious baked goods and fruits diluted? Nobody IMO.
 
lol I'd love to be in that office when a UPS guy comes in with a gift basket...will probably result in a few chuckles. I'd send it!
 
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STAT EKG said:
OP - not trying to make you paranoid, but you've gotta understand that the posters before me *might* be gunners sending their own gift baskets...

...Who's trying to have their gesture of delicious baked goods and fruits diluted? Nobody IMO.
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OP, now listen, I'm REALLY not trying to get you paranoid, but whose to say this guy isn't gunning to try and snatch your acceptance?
 
saveourpens said:
lol I'd love to be in that office when a UPS guy comes in with a gift basket...will probably result in a few chuckles. I'd send it!
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This. I think your intentions are good, but it easily could be construed as an attempt at brown nosing/gunning. I would eat the cookies myself 🙂
 
Stumpyman said:
OP, now listen, I'm REALLY not trying to get you paranoid, but whose to say this guy isn't gunning to try and snatch your acceptance?
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You can't trust any of them OP. Send me the gift baskets. Do the right thing. Spike Lee would appreciate it.
 
you will get rejected if you do so. I heard a story from a UCLA committee member who did not recommend his interviewee after this person gave him a gift. He would have otherwise.
 
Stumpyman said:
OP, now listen, I'm REALLY not trying to get you paranoid, but whose to say this guy isn't gunning to try and snatch your acceptance?
Click to expand...

Paranoia within paranoia. Paranoiception?! :scared:



And to answer your question: DON'T.

Think of medical school as a girl you are trying to date. You laid the ground work, you asked her out - now you wait for her reply. Send a text to remind her but don't send a gift basket to ask for that first date!
 
waltzendless said:
I want to send some of the schools that I interviewed at a gift basket (either fruit or cookies) for the holidays with a message saying something along the lines of "I would like to express my continued interested in attending [school name] and in the meantime wish everyone happy holidays. Enjoy the cookies/fruit!"

Now, I intend for this to just be a reminder of continued interest in the schools with a bit of delicious presentation (who doesn't want to munch on some cookies at work? 😛). My friend joked that it sounds like a bribe and it made me reconsider my idea. I of course would not want the admissions to think I'm attempting to corrupt the office staff...

So, what do you guys think? Send them cookies and fruit? Letter without the pizzazz? Or send nothing at all and just hope for the best?
Click to expand...

If you have to ask the question.... 😉
 
XklusivGuy said:
Paranoia within paranoia. Paranoiception?! :scared:



And to answer your question: DON'T.

Think of medical school as a girl you are trying to date. You laid the ground work, you asked her out - now you wait for her reply. Send a text to remind her but don't send a gift basket to ask for that first date!
Click to expand...

transferred over to the "If med schools were girls" thread lol.
 
Stumpyman said:
OP, now listen, I'm REALLY not trying to get you paranoid, but whose to say this guy isn't gunning to try and snatch your acceptance?
Click to expand...

It's like a taco inside a taco within a Taco Bell that's inside a KFC within a bowl that's inside your dream. (south park reference) 😀
 
Accepted=fresh cookies for a gift basket

Interview=write a nice letter

Rejection=stale cookies for gift basket
 
It could easily come off as unethical/bribery.

As others have mentioned, LOInterest would be best.
 
I'd advise against it. While it could be seen as a nice gesture, it does come off as desperate. Just send a nice letter. When you actually have a relationship with the admissions office, you can start sending them stuff.
 
I will have to say I agree with the mainstream here- don't send the gift basket! After you get accepted, send a giftbasket to everyone that has helped you on this journey (including your SDN buddies 😀)
 
Bforn said:
I will have to say I agree with the mainstream here- don't send the gift basket! After you get accepted, send a giftbasket to everyone that has helped you on this journey (including your SDN buddies 😀)
Click to expand...

this
 
Although the general consensus is no, I bet people at admissions get many freebies throughout the application season.
 
r1d1 said:
Although the general consensus is no, I bet people at admissions get many freebies throughout the application season.
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🙁 I've never seen any...

Have to agree with NickNaylor. It would be laughable to get a cookie basket from an applicant. It would be too far over the top...
 
LizzyM said:
🙁 I've never seen any...

Have to agree with NickNaylor. It would be laughable to get a cookie basket from an applicant. It would be too far over the top...
Click to expand...
aww...but if you ever reveal your identity, your office will be packed with gifts every day. 😉
 
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