Post Interview Thank You

[Pandoo]

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Is it necessary/appropriate to send a thank you email/postcard after your interview at a school? Will it help your chances at all?

 

[MrAvicii]

Is it necessary/appropriate to send a thank you email/postcard after your interview at a school? Will it help your chances at all?

i say go for it, you never know. an email is free and doesnt take too long to write, what do you lose? or how much can you really gain 🙂

 

[dentalWorks]

Is it necessary/appropriate to send a thank you email/postcard after your interview at a school? Will it help your chances at all?

No to both (ofc I have no evidence to back this up ~ just common sense)

Although, there are some schools that will SPECIFICALLY tell you to write them a TY note after the interview if you are still interested in their program (Temple did this last year). Obviously, this one is a no-brainer

 

[DesertSonata]

Most of the schools that I've interviewed at I was told by the dental students to write a thank you note. They said they did it and it helped them...at least thats what they claim. I've read somewhere here that it may hurt you. Some schools specifically say they don't want a thank you note on their website. I don't know why it would hurt. It may make you seem like a kiss ass, but if you're really interested in that school, this is one way to show it.

 

[MrAvicii]

Most of the schools that I've interviewed at I was told by the dental students to write a thank you note. They said they did it and it helped them...at least thats what they claim. I've read somewhere here that it may hurt you. Some schools specifically say they don't want a thank you note on their website. I don't know why it would hurt. It may make you seem like a kiss ass, but if you're really interested in that school, this is one way to show it.

what schools have said that this will hurt you?

 

[DesertSonata]

what schools have said that this will hurt you?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8482663

last post on that thread

I believe it depends on the schools or the interviewers. I come across a dental school website says that they don't want students to send any thank-you cards.

 

[MrAvicii]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8482663

last post on that thread

2009 thread with zero evidence? i dunno how much validity there is in that post.

 

[DesertSonata]

2009 thread with zero evidence? i dunno how much validity there is in that post.

True. But we can't shoot it down either. Consider it if you wish. Personally, I've been sending thank you notes despite that comment.

 

[MrAvicii]

True. But we can't shoot it down either. Consider it if you wish. Personally, I've been sending thank you notes despite that comment.

yes thats what im saying. i am still sending them but i am not listening to that post because it has no evidence. that post is similar to saying UFOs exist but i cant offer evidence lol

 

[YoHomey]

Definitely not. There have been some threads on this the past month.

 

[MrAvicii]

Definitely not. There have been some threads on this the past month.

again its all opinion based. there is no proof against or for the letters.

 

[dantemac]

All based on opinion. I didn't send one to Temple because it was a video interview and I didn't send one to another school (that shall remain nameless) because the interview never offered his/her name, his/her position at the school, or even a hand shake.

 

[MrAvicii]

All based on opinion. I didn't send one to Temple because it was a video interview and I didn't send one to another school (that shall remain nameless) because the interview never offered his/her name, his/her position at the school, or even a hand shake.

damn no hand shake thats just unprofessional. then again imagine that school being your #1 choice.

 

[dantemac]

I would have sent a thank you card but I honestly did not even get the interviewer's name. The other person in my group didn't even catch it either. Nothing I can do to upkeep courtesy in that case.

 

[Golfguy]

I'm not going to. I think it's a bit tacky when schools are interviewing hundreds of students and the individual interviewers have their jobs to do as well.

In all of my interviews so far, they wrote their evaluation of me during the interview and immediately afterwards. I don't think they're going to pull my file and change anything because of a thank you note.

It's bad enough that some pre-dents act completely douchy during their interview day. Trying to "out do" their peers by being louder, asking more questions (some of which are irrelevant), and constantly trying to schmooze.

 

[MrAvicii]

I'm not going to. I think it's a bit tacky when schools are interviewing hundreds of students and the individual interviewers have their jobs to do as well.

In all of my interviews so far, they wrote their evaluation of me during the interview and immediately afterwards. I don't think they're going to pull my file and change anything because of a thank you note.

It's bad enough that some pre-dents act completely douchy during their interview day. Trying to "out do" their peers by being louder, asking more questions (some of which are irrelevant), and constantly trying to schmooze.

lol we had one guy who literally went to the admissions office, he was kissing ass left n right, but hey whatever works!

 

[Golfguy]

lol we had one guy who literally went to the admissions office, he was kissing ass left n right, but hey whatever works!

I know, it makes me cringe inside when I see that. A simple handshake and thanks are fine, but some go way overboard. If anything, I would think that student would overstep their peers as a dental student, and may not be cut out for working in groups.

 

[MrAvicii]

I know, it makes my cringe inside when I see that. A simple handshake and thanks are fine, but some go way overboard. If anything, I would think that student would overstep their peers as a dental student, and may not be cut out for working in groups.

they're called gunners... ive seen a few on here...

 

[amanda9717]

Is it necessary/appropriate to send a thank you email/postcard after your interview at a school? Will it help your chances at all?

It's definitely not something that's necessary or required. If I had to guess whether it will help your chance at a school, I'd probably say that it won't. I typically send a quick thank you after any sort of interview just to be polite, but I realize that it's a matter of personal preference and doubt that it counts for anything.

 

[Pandoo]

It's definitely not something that's necessary or required. If I had to guess whether it will help your chance at a school, I'd probably say that it won't. I typically send a quick thank you after any sort of interview just to be polite, but I realize that it's a matter of personal preference and doubt that it counts for anything.

out of all the schools i interviewed at so far, ONLY LECOM has been like

"PLEASE E-MAIL US LETTING US KNOW YOU REALLY WANT TO COME and you LOVE PBL!"

 

[little Buddy]

out of all the schools i interviewed at so far, ONLY LECOM has been like

"PLEASE E-MAIL US LETTING US KNOW YOU REALLY WANT TO COME and you LOVE PBL!"

This is so true lol

 

[MrAvicii]

I've been emailing schools and I think that even if it doesnt work, it shows that you liked the program and are respectful. Respect goes a long way.

 

[Chloco]

Hey guys,

has anyone else who interviewed at Columbia been sent an email basically asking for you to send your interviewer a thank you note? Seems a bit pretentious doesn't it?

I know there're some mixed opinions on here as to whether or not to send a thank you note, but I suppose in this case we ought to send something at least.

 

[2th Doc]

I myself have been wondering about whether or not to send thank you notes, and were it not already 6 weeks post-interview I still might just send something small just to be courteous. But, I'm also of the opinion that for the most part your file will have been evaluated and decided by the time they receive your thank you. If it's not a definite positive, and has potential negative... and if you can't be sure how each school feels about it, it may be safer just to forgo the thank yous. Besides, your gratitude for their interviewing you should have been well expressed during the interview.

 

[MrAvicii]

the email is free. after a while (like a week or more after your interview) its probably useless to send it. but if you send it the day after your interview, it could go a long way. you never know when the adcom has to finish and submit his evaluation and that email might (if used properly) help your chances. Yes, it wont make or break your acceptance, but every little bit helps. I dont understand why so many applicants are against the letters. There is no proof that it will hurt you.

From personal experiences, i've gained full time employment due to my thank you letters (I know how to tie in the personal knowledge I have gained about the interviewer during the interview.) And I write a very nice and custom email reiterating my interest and thanking the interviewer for their precious time.

Remember you get more in life with honey than with vinegar 🙂

 

[toothexplore]

Remember you get more in life with honey than with vinegar 🙂

i wrote a thank you email post-interview. keep in mind that you are not just thanking them for that 20 min time slot. the adcoms did a lot to invite you to their school, prepare information, shine their program up real nice, tour you, feed you, etc. it's only natural to share your appreciation 🙄

 

[MrAvicii]

i wrote a thank you email post-interview. keep in mind that you are not just thanking them for that 20 min time slot. the adcoms did a lot to invite you to their school, prepare information, shine their program up real nice, tour you, feed you, etc. it's only natural to share your appreciation 🙄

agreed. its no different than shaking someones hand at the beginning and end of an interview. I dont see why its such a big deal for predents. its not like you're giving up a kidney lol

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

My interviewer at NYU joked around with me and gave me his card afterward (I didn't ask for it!). I'm definitely writing him a thank you note, even if only for being such a nice guy.

 

[YoHomey]

No way will I ever write a thank you. It's total kiss ass and shows weakness (aka desperation). It's like calling a girl moments after your first date to tell her how much you enjoyed the date. Besides appearing like a tool, you automatically become less desirable. People who support thank you's are rookies who think like rookies.

 

[toothexplore]

No way will I ever write a thank you. It's total kiss ass and shows weakness (aka desperation). It's like calling a girl moments after your first date to tell her how much you enjoyed the date. Besides appearing like a tool, you automatically become less desirable. People who support thank you's are rookies who think like rookies.

if i liked the guy, and openly provided my number, why wouldn't i want him to call?

 

[YoHomey]

i wrote a thank you email post-interview. keep in mind that you are not just thanking them for that 20 min time slot. the adcoms did a lot to invite you to their school, prepare information, shine their program up real nice, tour you, feed you, etc. it's only natural to share your appreciation 🙄

This is incorrect way to view it.

Interviewees volunteer to interview meaning they want to spend their 20 min. in a given day to play Adcom. No one is twisting their arm to waste 20 min. on you. The school is only providing a $7 or so lunch voucher which is partially paid by you (your app fee). Trust me they are not subtracting the $7 off your app fees for a smaller profit; instead they are adding $7 to your app fees. The tour, presentation, etc. is merely a sales pitch so they can collect $200-300K from you for the next 4 yrs.

If the schools really went out of there way for your visit, then they would pay for your travel expenses and hotel accommodations, in much the same way a company does for a prospective employee at a convenient date for that interviewee. Schools do the exact opposite, they expect you to pay 100% on a date that's convenient for them.

 

[DentalGunner]

No way will I ever write a thank you. It's total kiss ass and shows weakness (aka desperation). It's like calling a girl moments after your first date to tell her how much you enjoyed the date. Besides appearing like a tool, you automatically become less desirable. People who support thank you's are rookies who think like rookies.

If your personal statement is anything like your personality, it's no wonder why you're getting rejected by "bottom of the barrel" schools. Who wouldn't want a charmer, like you, in their class? Boggles my mind.

There's a huge difference between appearing desperate and grateful. Sorry that you lack the ability to articulate that through your words.

 

[YoHomey]

if i liked the guy, and openly provided my number, why wouldn't i want him to call?

Only if he was the only boy you could date. But if you were on multiple first dates, then you sure wouldn't be attracted to the dude who was desperate for you, no?

 

[toothexplore]

If your personal statement is anything like your personality, it's no wonder why you're getting rejected by "bottom of the barrel" schools. Who wouldn't want a charmer, like you, in their class? Boggles my mind.

There's a huge difference between appearing desperate and grateful. Sorry that you lack the ability to articulate that through your words.

ya mystery solved as to why you're scratching your head about not getting dates. i mean interviews.

 

[YoHomey]

If your personal statement is anything like your personality, it's no wonder why you're getting rejected by "bottom of the barrel" schools. Who wouldn't want a charmer, like you, in their class? Boggles my mind.

There's a huge difference between appearing desperate and grateful. Sorry that you lack the ability to articulate that through your words.

FYI genius (and to wzhu), at my last interview, the interviewer said my PS got the highest rating from the admissions office. I don't know if it meant it was the highest among the entire applicant pool or among the ones being interviewed that day, but it's safe to assume that it was a pretty darn good essay. In fact, I had my PS critiqued by my friend's mom, who served on a dental school adcom for 12 years, and she said I nailed it. I guess your mind should be boggled lol.

EDIT: Perhaps the bottom of the barrel school rejected me because they assumed they were a safety school? Would an average school take an applicant with 4.0/26 DAT score (not my stats) seriously when they know the person will likely go to an Ivy? Ever think of that wild idea? Genius.

 

[iralex801]

I don't get the fuss in this dilemma. A thank you letter is just a polite gesture. Just as in all polite gestures you shouldn't expect anything in return. Thus, the thank you isn't going to help your chances or hurt them. It boils down to this. If your a polite person, then send the letter. If you're not, then don't. Lol crazy Sdn people.

 

[MrAvicii]

FYI genius (and to wzhu), at my last interview, the interviewer said my PS got the highest rating from the admissions office. I don't know if it meant it was the highest among the entire applicant pool or among the ones being interviewed that day, but it's safe to assume that it was a pretty darn good essay. In fact, I had my PS critiqued by my friend's mom, who served on a dental school adcom for 12 years, and she said I nailed it. I guess your mind should be boggled lol.

EDIT: Perhaps the bottom of the barrel school rejected me because they assumed they were a safety school? Would an average school take an applicant with 4.0/26 DAT score (not my stats) seriously when they know the person will likely go to an Ivy? Ever think of that wild idea? Genius.

hey yohomey

I agree with a most of your posts, but your post about kissing ass is absurd and amateur. When you go for a job interview or prof. school interview, a thank you letter is never necessary, but it is always appreciated. You never know how the interviewer will perceive it. Yes some people might think your kissing ass and dislike your email, but the majority (esp if you act professionally during the interview) will find your letter as further proof of your interest in the school and as a respectful gesture.

I know of many situations where i've gotten job offers (very shortly) after I sent out my thank you emails. And yes while the professional working world is not exactly like d-school. I dont believe that people are so different in different fields. When I write my emails, I write them with personal details to show the interviewer that I cared about them and I always give hints of what I remember about them. Because in the end of the day, they are wholeheartedly more interested in their own lives versus my life.

In addition, there is absolutely nothing wrong with sending emails. If you think its kissing ass and being desperate, then please explain to me why you've applied to schools where you clearly have no intention of going to (i.e your backup schools.) Isn't that a bit desperate? The moral of the story is that one has to use all possible avenues in order to secure an acceptance. And a thank you letter is just another way to show your interest and try to secure that acceptance.

Hope this helps, ps try be nicer in your posts.

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

Word to the wise, my interviewer at NYU said that it is not his decision as to whether or not I am admitted. He merely writes some stuff about me and submits it to someone with the actual power to grant admissions or hand out rejections. I don't know if that's the case at every school, but it would only make sense that there are many interviewers who merely submit their opinions to the actual admissions committee, who only need to read blurbs and look at numbers to make a decision, rather than literally think about who it was they spoke to.

In that case, a thank you note is just that. It won't help you or hurt you. It's just a nice thing to do.

And even if the person interviewing you DOES have the absolute power to admit you or reject you, if your interview honestly went well, and you believe you're a good candidate for the school, how on earth is a freaking thank you note going to hurt you? It takes a brash and overly-sensitive person to think "Oh, this kid's a kiss-ass. I'm just going to ignore the rest of his application and the great conversation we had, 'cause I don't want someone who sends thank you notes at my school." What a ridiculous notion. I'm fairly sure the people we trust with evaluating our applications have a little more tact and insight than that.

 

[YoHomey]

Someday I'll be on an adcom giving interviews and whenever a kiss ass sends me a thank you, I will ding them for sure lol, I kid you not. So if you have any younger siblings interviewing in the future, they better watch out with their thank you's hahaha.

 

[DentalGunner]

Someday I'll be on an adcom giving interviews and whenever a kiss ass sends me a thank you, I will ding them for sure lol, I kid you not. So if you have any younger siblings interviewing in the future, they better watch out with their thank you's hahaha.

Yeah, shame on those who are courteous. I'm willing to bet those brown nosers even shook the interviewer's hand. HAHA. Losers.

 

[MrAvicii]

lol haters gonna hate. gotta grow up kids. you're in the real world now.

 

[dantemac]

I think someone said before that thank you notes are just "polite gestures". It is the same thing as holding a door for someone, letting other people eat lunch before you, etc. It is just a small little thing that can't hurt you, but it's probably not going to help you too much either.

Also, you never know how the interview process goes. The people who interview you may or may not sit on an admissions committee

 

[MrAvicii]

I think someone said before that thank you notes are just "polite gestures". It is the same thing as holding a door for someone, letting other people eat lunch before you, etc. It is just a small little thing that can't hurt you, but it's probably not going to help you too much either.

Also, you never know how the interview process goes. The people who interview you may or may not sit on an admissions committee

true but hey since you never know, you might as well send it. i've gotten jobs before just based on my thank you emails. who knows? maybe ill get into my top choice based on my professional attitude.

 

[iralex801]

Someday I'll be on an adcom giving interviews and whenever a kiss ass sends me a thank you, I will ding them for sure lol, I kid you not. So if you have any younger siblings interviewing in the future, they better watch out with their thank you's hahaha.

I really think you don't know what kissing ass is. So you don't think, "making a concerted effort for 2 years to get to know various director of admissions" is kissing ass, but you think sending a polite thank you for their time is kissing ass? 😕 lol

 

[YoHomey]

I really think you don't know what kissing ass is. So you don't think, "making a concerted effort for 2 years to get to know various director of admissions" is kissing ass, but you think sending a polite thank you for their time is kissing ass? 😕 lol

I think I do as I can be found kissing some fine ass on a weekend night. But the other kind of ass kissing does no good. Think about it, immediately after the interview and before you even leave the school building, the interviewer has written their evaluation of you. Your outcome is already set in stone and anything you do at this point makes no difference. So what are you going to do--use your smart phone to send a thank you while you're riding the elevator down? Also, they've encountered countless number of ass kissers throughout the admissions process and it would be a shame if they mistakenly categorized you with this group even if your thank you was a gesture of politeness. Thus it does more harm than good and not worth the risk. At the end of the day, the great interviewees get the acceptance and not the ones who send nice thank you stationary. Peace out.

 

[MrAvicii]

I think I do as I can be found kissing some fine ass on a weekend night. But the other kind of ass kissing does no good. Think about it, immediately after the interview and before you even leave the school building, the interviewer has written their evaluation of you. Your outcome is already set in stone and anything you do at this point makes no difference. So what are you going to do--use your smart phone to send a thank you while you're riding the elevator down? Also, they've encountered countless number of ass kissers throughout the admissions process and it would be a shame if they mistakenly categorized you with this group even if your thank you was a gesture of politeness. Thus it does more harm than good and not worth the risk. At the end of the day, the great interviewees get the acceptance and not the ones who send nice thank you stationary. Peace out.

dude, you've probably never worked in a professional setting before. So please stop commenting like that. its immature, if you dont like thank you emails, dont send em. but to call it ass kissing is very ignorant and shows that you might not be ready for d-school (at least mentally.)

 

[iralex801]

I think I do as I can be found kissing some fine ass on a weekend night. But the other kind of ass kissing does no good. Think about it, immediately after the interview and before you even leave the school building, the interviewer has written their evaluation of you. Your outcome is already set in stone and anything you do at this point makes no difference. So what are you going to do--use your smart phone to send a thank you while you're riding the elevator down? Also, they've encountered countless number of ass kissers throughout the admissions process and it would be a shame if they mistakenly categorized you with this group even if your thank you was a gesture of politeness. Thus it does more harm than good and not worth the risk. At the end of the day, the great interviewees get the acceptance and not the ones who send nice thank you stationary. Peace out.

Lol. I agree that great interviewees get the acceptance. That isn't what I asked you. I'm pretty sure making a concerted effort for 2 years to get to know adcoms is kissing ass. Hopefully, the adcoms didn't categorize you in the kissing ass group.

 

[YoHomey]

Lol. I agree that great interviewees get the acceptance. That isn't what I asked you. I'm pretty sure making a concerted effort for 2 years to get to know adcoms is kissing ass. Hopefully, the adcoms didn't categorize you in the kissing ass group.

Actually, I didn't interact with the adcoms like the way you envision. I have an effective style of asking insightful questions which won't be construed as kissing ass. I'm well rounded with nice stats so these adcoms didn't see me as another desperate wannabe.

 

[bluepills]

Two schools just sent me "thank you for interviewing/visiting" letters. What hypocrites! Calling me a brown-nosing suck up and then doing the same thing...

 

[SFDENTIST]

after we sent out thank you letter, will they reply us in the most cases?