Thank you letters for interviews?

[Gr8DaneGirl]

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What does everyone think about sending thank you letters to your interviewers? For job interviews, there is no question- you should always do it. But I've gotten mixed information on whether or not it is proper to send one after an academic interview.

Some people have said, only send one if you have a particular connection w/ an interviewer. For example, you have similar research experiece.

What do you guys think?

 

[meyao]

Absolutely, without question, send thank you notes! "Only if you have a connection?" No way. Treat this as a job interview.

I think email notes are perfectly fine (just be sure to proofread carefully and still use "Dear So and So" and "Sincerely" or another formal closing and all the other hallmarks of a "real" letter) but if you want to send a letter or notecard, that would also work.

 

[skibum]

Absolutely send a thank-you note. Always err on the side of appearing too professional, in my opinion. That means definitely wear a suit to a vet school interview and in your case, definitely followup with a thank you note. These people took time out of their busy day to meet with you, and they should be thanked! I agree with meyao that email notes are okay, especially since there can be a quick turnaround time for when the interviewer interviews you and when the committee makes their decisions on acceptances.

 

[Gr8DaneGirl]

Absolutely send a thank-you note. Always err on the side of appearing too professional, in my opinion. That means definitely wear a suit to a vet school interview and in your case, definitely followup with a thank you note. These people took time out of their busy day to meet with you, and they should be thanked! I agree with meyao that email notes are okay, especially since there can be a quick turnaround time for when the interviewer interviews you and when the committee makes their decisions on acceptances.

OK, well in that case, I had an interview last sat 1/7/06, but then I went on vacation (straight from my interview), do you think it is too late to send one now???

Thanks guys!! 🙂

 

[skibum]

Not at all. Definitely send one. I just know that the turnaround time at CSU was about a week, which is the only reason I said that. But all schools are different, and you still haven't heard yet, so I would send one along.

 

[meyao]

OK, well in that case, I had an interview last sat 1/7/06, but then I went on vacation (straight from my interview), do you think it is too late to send one now???

Yeah, Skibum is right on. It's never too late... Well, let me restate. My personal rule of thumb is within a week after the interview/event/etc., and it shouldn't be put off for too much longer, but don't think that if you went on vacation you've somehow missed the window of opportunity for sending one! It will be a nice reminder to them of how considerate you are!

 

[MiMiTX]

As a member of a Selections Committee for several years, I loved recieving handwritten thank-you notes following the interview. Out of the hundreds of interviews I did, very few sent thank-yous. It definitely kept their application in the front of my mind when scoring the candidate.

 

[verbal_kint]

As a member of a Selections Committee for several years, I loved recieving handwritten thank-you notes following the interview. Out of the hundreds of interviews I did, very few sent thank-yous. It definitely kept their application in the front of my mind when scoring the candidate.

I've never been to an academic interview, so I was wondering... how do you get the address for each of your interview people and do you just memorize their name, etc?

 

[PsychoLulu]

I've never been to an academic interview, so I was wondering... how do you get the address for each of your interview people and do you just memorize their name, etc?

Usually, you contact the admissions office, and they can either forward the letters for you, or you can ask for the interviewer's direct email address. If you can't remember the name of the person you interviewed with, you can also give the office your name and they can look that up for you. (A friendly receptionist would be your best friend in this case.... 😛 )

Of course, the other approach would be to call BEFORE your interview, say you would like to know who you are interviewing on the day of your interview, and if the school knows, they might be willing to pass on that info. (Am doing this with my upcoming Tufts interview because I read in another thread that previous year interviewees were told to call and ask for information regarding their interviewers....Didn't say so on this year's letter, but when I called and mentioned that a current Tufts student recommended this, they were more than happy to tell me who I would be talking to!)

 

[mokadet]

When I interviewed at Tufts last year they gave everyone a sheet with the names of their interviewers on it. It was helpful, especially for correct spelling, etc.

 

[MiMiTX]

Following each interview, I would give the applicant my business card. It had all my contact information on it.

If your interviewers don't give you their information, be sure to ask for it.