actually its simple to prove whether you can know...call every admissions office in every dental school and ask them if a TY note can make a difference..tally up what they say and there you go...but honestly you would never call them and ask them that cause the idea of a TY helping you out after your interview(esp when everyone else sends them too) is kinda silly.
Sending thank you emails after interviewing
- Thread starter JustwantDDS
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better yet, explain to me how sending a TY note can help you? esp when another 200 kids sent in the exact same letter... the "you never know arguement" just doesnt cut it, put in some logic to why you think a standard TY letter can somehow make a difference.
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Do what you gotta do. I sent my TY letter and it got me a spot at one school that I know of. I'm content with that. The end. I'm not gonna bicker with a 22 yr old that knows nothing about the real world and how it works. good luck networking in the future.
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I asked a professor who used to be on an adcom about this. They said it never influenced their decision, but if they had made up their mind against the person it was awkward.
But they did say that if you genuinely had a good time and want to work with that person in the future, it is ok to let that person know (just don't send fake thank you letters).
But they did say that if you genuinely had a good time and want to work with that person in the future, it is ok to let that person know (just don't send fake thank you letters).
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Welll i sent a brief but simple thank you stating i enjoyed my visit. I got a nice reply back too....
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You should send a thank you note.
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It's a dog-eat-dog world with getting into dental school and like the majority have said, it won't hurt you. I sent them to 2 schools, because one gets 2,400 applications for 200 interviews for 80 seats and the other gets close to 5,000 for (who knows how many interviews) for 230 seats (obviously we know which one this is), so be courteous and take a few minutes to let the school know you enjoyed your time there, because I certainly did at both my schools.
The right way to word it or do it? Be sincere. At school A, I loved the presentation, thought my interviewer and dean were very informative (because they brought up info that I didn't find on the website) and was impressed with the clinics that I read were "sub-par" online. At school B, I loved that the dean disspelled some of the common myths, was interested in some of their 3rd year programs (that also weren't on the website) and thought the clinic was literally Steve Jobs' gift to dentistry (yea. THAT renovated).
I have no idea if this helped me, and it probably didn't, but on the slight off-chance that it did, I'm glad I spent a few minutes to thank the people that chose to interview me over the thousands of applicants that would send much more than small piece of stationary to get my spot. So do it. The worst that can happen is that it meant nothing, which puts you in the same spot you're in now, except you won't ever wonder "What if I did..."
Just my 2 cents and like any other opinionated response, it could be completely wrong! haha
***School A is also known for including hand-written notes in their acceptance packages, so I felt it be nice to "return the favor." I haven't heard back from them yet.
***School B accepted me, but it was a mass email that didn't have my name on it, so it was about as impersonal as they come and my letter probably never even made it to the building.
The right way to word it or do it? Be sincere. At school A, I loved the presentation, thought my interviewer and dean were very informative (because they brought up info that I didn't find on the website) and was impressed with the clinics that I read were "sub-par" online. At school B, I loved that the dean disspelled some of the common myths, was interested in some of their 3rd year programs (that also weren't on the website) and thought the clinic was literally Steve Jobs' gift to dentistry (yea. THAT renovated).
I have no idea if this helped me, and it probably didn't, but on the slight off-chance that it did, I'm glad I spent a few minutes to thank the people that chose to interview me over the thousands of applicants that would send much more than small piece of stationary to get my spot. So do it. The worst that can happen is that it meant nothing, which puts you in the same spot you're in now, except you won't ever wonder "What if I did..."
Just my 2 cents and like any other opinionated response, it could be completely wrong! haha
***School A is also known for including hand-written notes in their acceptance packages, so I felt it be nice to "return the favor." I haven't heard back from them yet.
***School B accepted me, but it was a mass email that didn't have my name on it, so it was about as impersonal as they come and my letter probably never even made it to the building.
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Well i sent a thank you Email & i got in! Idk if theres any correlation, but anyhow...
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Not to argue, but just because the school you sent a TY letter to accepted you doesn't mean that it was the reason you got into the school. More reasonably, they accepted you because of your interview, your grades, your DAT scores, extracurriculars, etc or a combination of the above.
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I dont think the TY letter can get you admitted alone, but it can be the icing on the cake to give you a final push if the school is not 100% sure about you. Meaning if the school likes you 85 to 90% and then sees the letter they might be inclined to push you into the 100% acceptance range.
Either way theres really no need to argue because no one knows if letters help, hurt, or dont do anything. But I know for example, NYU, adds a TY letter to your file. Then after your interview, when the committee meets to discuss your file, they have the letter and that can add weight to your chances.
Its obvious that people get in with or without the letters and again no one can know for sure 100% if the letters do anything. But then again what do you lose by writing a letter? Isnt it a nice thing to do anyway? I dont see any detrimental and I think its just a courteous thing to do. But I'm also someone that worked in the professional industry and I value those sorts of things more than a 21 yr old grad.
