Thank You notes post interview

[Lednerg]

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This is standard procedure, right?

What's the general consensus on this? A card, a letter?

I'm thinking a short letter with a very brief thank you, maybe 1 or 2 references to my interview. Do I really need to pimp myself anymore than I already have?

Anyone know of a general template somewhere on the web I could use?

 

[saylorsdad]

I created a poll that follows this topic, not trying to hijack the thread. Just trying to get everyone's opinion.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

IMO, a nice, short, hand-written letter.

 

[Jpc984]

I am behind in mine, but plan to work on them this weekend.

 

[Tanner82]

wow I didn't even think of this... do most people write notes post-interview? I didn't think anyone did

 

[GoingCrazy]

This is standard procedure, right?

What's the general consensus on this? A card, a letter?

I'm thinking a short letter with a very brief thank you, maybe 1 or 2 references to my interview. Do I really need to pimp myself anymore than I already have?

Anyone know of a general template somewhere on the web I could use?

I asked my advisor today and he said that writing a post-interview letter isn't typical. He said it shouldn't hurt unless they are annoyed by it but that the only post-interview letter I should send to a school is a letter of intent.😉

 

[Playmakur42]

.

 

[Doc driven]

Thank you for your time. What did you guys put in your thank you cards after interviews? I am struggling and would appreciate any advice.

 

[ellinopedo182]

I emailed one to Rachel from NOVA after my interview, it was part of an email that updated her about my LOR that were not complete because of a mistake on the schools part.

 

[Punchap]

So...do you think my sent thank you cards were a bad idea?

 

[prionsRbad]

So...do you think my sent thank you cards were a bad idea?

No. I don't think anyone would be annoyed with someone just trying to be polite . . . maybe only if they specifically asked you not to send one.

I can't remember what school it was, but in their "admissions FAQ's" section they specifically say to "send a thank you note, not because it will increase your chances, but because it's the right thing to do".

 

[Punchap]

No. I don't think anyone would be annoyed with someone just trying to be polite . . . maybe only if they specifically asked you not to send one.

I can't remember what school it was, but in their "admissions FAQ's" section they specifically say to "send a thank you note, not because it will increase your chances, but because it's the right thing to do".

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I've been stressing over all the details lately...I'm going crazy. 😱

 

[StringerBell]

For what it's worth, I sent out thank-you cards to my interviewers. They were short, and simply expressed my gratitude for their taking time out of their busy days to read my file and to get to know me and present me with an opportunity.
Fast forwarding, on the day of my white coat ceremony, one of my interviewers came up to me and said "Remember me?" I did. She said that she got my card and that she knew that I was waitlisted and was wondering (up until that point) if I had gotten in. So there you go. Depending on who your interviewer is, they may actually read it.
Remember, though, it will probably most likely not affect your admission decision whatsoever. Do it because you want to do it, and because you genuinely appreciate the opportunity.
Remember also that from now on, you are constantly being evaluated, by interviewers, faculty, student representatives, the dean, residents, attendings, program directors, your girlfriend's mom, etc. etc.
And they can all smell BS. If it's in your nature to send thank-you notes, then by all means do so. If it isn't, then rest assured that it won't make or break your admission decision. But I wanted to share my experience with everyone.

 

[StringerBell]

Thank you for your time. What did you guys put in your thank you cards after interviews? I am struggling and would appreciate any advice.

There's another thread on it, but I'll summarize for you.
Basically, if you're going to write a thank you card, mean what you say in it.
For me, it was essentially to thank the interviewer for the opportunity, for taking the time to read my file and to get to know me beyond the numbers, and for taking the time out of their day to interview me.
I've had to be humble because I'm a non-trad who took a long, long route to medical school, after a lot of failure in the past. So really, every time I got an interview, I definitely looked upon it as an opportunity, and had to be thankful to have that opportunity.

 

[huckaaa]

I can't believe this is even up for debate. It is always appropriate to send a thank you note after an interview. This applies to a medical school interview as well as a job interview. I understand that the admission staff is very busy, but I can't imagine a thank you letter would ever be looked down upon. By the way, it needs to be hand written.

 

[orchid07]

a few things...

I sent them to all my interviewers b/c i assumed its the right thing to do... One school said if you plan on it send an email, so i did that and i had one of the interviewers write back (which was really nice! 😀)

also why does it have to be hand written? I typed mine on a standard thankyou note card and signed my name, it was specific to that person. That said, i would not hand write it... my handwriting looks like that of a 3 yr old and i wouldnt wanna have them look down on it. should be ok either way!!! 😎

 

[Jpc984]

One of the DO schools recommended sending it by email.

 

[huckaaa]

by handwritten I really meant not email. If they specifically say email, then I would follow the directions. Otherwise, mail them the old fashioned way.

 

[Doc driven]

Thanks a lot. You said some good stuff I can use in mine.👍

 

[Corkboard]

What if they say "we'll have a decision for you in 2 weeks" and it's already been 1 week. A hand-written letter would not arrive until post-decision.

Still necessary?

 

[MedPR]

What if they say "we'll have a decision for you in 2 weeks" and it's already been 1 week. A hand-written letter would not arrive until post-decision.

Still necessary?

You should be thankful for an interview whether or not you get accepted. As others have said, a thank you letter (or lack of) will not help or hurt your chances of getting in. You send thank you letters to show gratitude, not in an attempt to get more than you've already been given.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Just send an email. We live in a digital age now where a nice, quick email is a lot more efficient for both you and the interviewer, than a handwritten letter. Let's be real... if you had the choice to receive most of your snail mail via email, you'd choose that option in a heartbeat.

Go with email; it'll solve all your problems. Your interviewer's emails should have been given to you on interview day. If not, then see if you can find it on the school's website (or google). As for content... just a quick

"Hello! My name is [name] and I had the opportunity to be interviewed by you on [date]. I just wanted to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview me as an applicant to your osteopathic program. I truly enjoyed my time at [school name] and everything your school has to offer.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]"

I just thought of that, so you might want to clean it up a bit. But keep it simple. 🙂

 

[TexasDocGibby]

I sent personal thank you notes to the interviewers at one school I interviewed at and not at the other. I was accepted at a school where I didnt. I dont think it matters in the admission decesion but it is always a nice polite touch.

 

[corpsman33]

Wow, I read the title way to fast and I thought it said "Thank you 'Post It Notes'", lol.