Thank You Letters

[JourneyToMD]

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So, are thank you letters in the form of emails not as acceptable as those in the form of snail mail?

What is your take on this please?? If I send a card tomorrow... it'll take 3 days to get there... meaning that, including the weekend, it'll arrive on Monday...

What to do??

 

[QuantumMechanic]

thank you cards are a requirement by no means...

I sent some by email and some by letter...I prefer email since it requires no handwriting and I am sure that the interviewer actually got the message.

 

[LizzyM]

I've received both and I find either to be acceptable. I'd estimate that about 25% of the applicants whom I've interviewed have sent a thank you note.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

Don't send them. It's really just your own placebo to calm yourself--you'll get better results sending one to Santa Claus after Christmas. They've probably already scored your interview and put your app into a pile.

 

[GoinBack2Cali?]

Enough about sending letters to your interviewers (personally I think its pointless). What about sending thank yous that are more deserved, like the people that wrote letters of support. Should you send it once you have gotten in somewhere (not necessarily your first choice) ? or Do you wait until all is said and done, so that you can say "I am going to . . . "

Because honestly I think LORs carry more weight than the interview. Because if your LOR suck, you won't even get an interview. So they therefore require more gratitude.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

Enough about sending letters to your interviewers (personally I think its pointless). What about sending thank yous that are more deserved, like the people that wrote letters of support. Should you send it once you have gotten in somewhere (not necessarily your first choice) ? or Do you wait until all is said and done, so that you can say "I am going to . . . "

Because honestly I think LORs carry more weight than the interview. Because if your LOR suck, you won't even get an interview. So they therefore require more gratitude.

I always have kept in touch. After the process is over is probably the most appropriate time. Plus I followed up after I started school. If you respect them, there is nothing wrong with keeping in contact.

One year I gave them all computer-generated certificates for "Best recommender" or something like that. One of the profs actually framed it and put it in his office.

 

[zenhiking]

In nearly all instances, sending a thank you note will have no bearing on your application. A couple or few sentences is adequate. It is a matter of etiquette, so it is a personal decision.

 

[Haemulon]

In nearly all instances, sending a thank you note will have no bearing on your application. A couple or few sentences is adequate. It is a matter of etiquette, so it is a personal decision.

Your probably right about it having no effect. However it certainly couldn't hurt and there is always the possibility that it will help if your interviewer is the one to champion your application to the committee.

My small experience with this doesn't mean anything really, but for what its worth: the one school where I sent hand written thank you notes offered me an acceptance, the other school where I did not send thank you notes but instead sent several update letters/letters of interest I am still on a waitlist. Most probably a coincidence, but still ....

 

[Psyche Estrelle]

I've always heard that you should send actual formal letters with letterheads instead of Hallmark cards. ...not that I know much of anything, but I was just throwing that out there. :b lol

 

[LizzyM]

I just pulled out the stack I've received this year. Almost all are cards in small envelopes. Only one person sent a letter in a business envelope (and that letter was handwritten on letterhead). The remainder send cards: most were Hallmark cards that were blank inside and had either "Thank you" or artwork on the outside. Some had custom made stationery printed with their name on the outside (in the business these are called "informals"). At least one send me a similar informal with the undergrad logo on the front (college bookstores sell these).

It is never wrong to say thank you. It may not help in the short run but believe me, it is a day brightener that shows you cared enough to take the time and effort required to send a note.

 

[notdeadyet]

It is never wrong to say thank you. It may not help in the short run but believe me, it is a day brightener that shows you cared enough to take the time and effort required to send a note.

Agreed.

I love how any mention of "thank you" letters brings out hordes of people who talk about whether or not it has an impact on your acceptance.

Regardless of impact (zero, imho), sending out thank you cards is simply the considerate thing to do. Period. Unless a school forbids it, it can create no harm and would make your mother smile at the thought that she raised you right.

 

[Shpamme]

Thanks Lizzy for shedding your light on the issue. It is really reassuring to hear from a Adcom that it definitely can't hurt.. and that it's a day brightener rather than something that adds to your hassles.

 

[TexPre-Med]

So, are thank you letters in the form of emails not as acceptable as those in the form of snail mail?

What is your take on this please?? If I send a card tomorrow... it'll take 3 days to get there... meaning that, including the weekend, it'll arrive on Monday...

What to do??

Doesn't matter at all. It is true though that the decision on you has been made before you'd have time to write the thank you card.

However, it would be interesting if you sent the thank you card to the admissions committee before the interview. Never thought of that one. haha