Thank you note vs. letter?

[DOapplicant]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Two question I could use some help in answering-

1) Should you send a thank you note (eg, hand-written message on a hallmark card) or a one-paragraph letter (eg, MS word document)?

2) Do you need to write a different note/letter for each person you interviewed with? One program had me interview with 8 people! Can I just write a note/letter addressed as "Dear Dept of X at Y Hospital" or just one addressed to the program director and mail into the PD or his/her assistant?

I don't want to seem arrogant by not sending thank you's, but I also don't want to have to write 100s of them.

Thanks you for any opinions you guys are willing to share with me.

Best of luck to my co-applicants. The season is starting to get very busy.

 

[sikegeek]

1. I think you should send a thank-you note. I hand-wrote mine on a stationary thank you card. I think that shows personality and sincerity. But there would be advantages to typing one too. Whatever you're more comfortable with. I think if you're a guy, typing would be more expected.

2. I chose to write individual thank you notes to all those who intervewed me. I think I wrote about 8 for one program. I would not write one to "dept X at Y hospital." I'd write one to the PD personally. If you're typing them anyway, it wouldn't be hard at all to change the name(s) and individualize them a little.


I was really happy with some of the feedback I've received after the PD got the thank-you note. I think it was a good way to send feelers out to find out how the program felt about me. However, I highly doubt t would change their ultimate decision.

 

[gng930]

Handwritten on card is always best.

And it doesn't have to be a hallmark card. I just bought a pack of 50 at Staples for $10.

 

[DOapplicant]

Thanks guys.

And you're right...I need to save some cash for interview expenses. I'll go to Staples tomorrow.

 

[c5a]

how many people actually write thank you cards?

i've heard around 20%, but i can't remember where exactly.

 

[sikegeek]

how many people actually write thank you cards?

i've heard around 20%, but i can't remember where exactly.

really? I guess I thought most people did it 😕

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

How long are thank you notes usually? Some of the samples I've seen online are 3-4 paragraphs, but that seems like overkill if you are writing ~5 letters per program.

 

[gng930]

How long are thank you notes usually? Some of the samples I've seen online are 3-4 paragraphs, but that seems like overkill if you are writing ~5 letters per program.

Are you kidding me? Most thank you cards you get from office supply stores really only have room for a few lines. Even your average hallmark card doesn't give you nearly enough room to write 3-4 paragraphs. As a PD, I'd hate to shuffle through that much from every single one of my candidates. Personal statements are barely read as it is.

Get some confirmation on this, but I'd actually advise against writing something that long. I'll usually write enough to fill one side of a 3x5 card.

 

[sikegeek]

As a PD, I'd love to know an applicant put some thought into my program. Mine were read and responded to by at least one program.


Mine were two paragraphs.

 

[Dr Serenity]

Are you kidding me? Most thank you cards you get from office supply stores really only have room for a few lines. Even your average hallmark card doesn't give you nearly enough room to write 3-4 paragraphs.

This is why I chose to type my thank-you letters (at least those I send to my interviewers). I found that I could not fit what I wanted to say inside one of those thank you cards from an office-supply store (My thank you letters are 2 paragraphs tops). I did send cards to program/interview coordinators, though.

Perhaps I need to cut some stuff out of my thank you letters so I could actually send handwritten cards...😛