Thank you notes

[osprey099]

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Do the interviewers even read these things?

 

[jeghaber]

Do the interviewers even read these things?

If you're asking if they read them and appreciate them, most of my interviewers have responded with cordial emails to my thank you's.

If you're asking if they make a difference, I doubt it. Most schools seem to have their debriefing sessions the same day as the interview (or shortly thereafter) and the thank you notes will most likely be "too late." Plus, I remember reading (maybe Pritzker podcasts?) that ~50% of interviewees send thank you's, so I don't think thank you's will sway your interviewer's assessment either way.

 

[Captain Sisko]

I've decided that I'm going to keep sending them because it's nice to be nice, not because i expect them to boost my chances.

 

[BlueLabel]

I've decided that I'm going to keep sending them because it's nice to be nice, not because i expect them to boost my chances.

Exactly. Besides, you never know when displaying a little grace will reflect well on you down the road - presumably at least a couple of your interviewers will be faculty where you go to school. But Sisko's right - the more important point is to be gracious for it's own sake.

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

I didn't even think about it until after most of my interviews were done. My problem is that I grew up very close to friends and family, so whenever I got gifts and whatnot, I always just thanked them in person. But I have thanked my interviewers graciously for their time at the end of each one.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I sent them to about half. I want to send them but sometimes I am extremely busy. Assuming it is not completely expected, I am hoping it doesnt reflect on me negatively down the road.

 

[Ismet]

Do the interviewers even read these things?

Yes. And they are usually put in your file.

 

[BlueLabel]

Yes. And they are usually put in your file.

Seriously??

 

[okokok]

Seriously??

At one school I interviewed at, they said they're kept in your file, and if you mail handwritten ones they actually scan them and keep them in your file. I'm sure not every school does, though.

 

[BlueLabel]

At one school I interviewed at, they said they're kept in your file, and if you mail handwritten ones they actually scan them and keep them in your file. I'm sure not every school does, though.

I'm not doubting you, it's just that's a huge step up from "they're basically worthless and will end up in the garbage" which is what it seems the prevailing attitude is.

Hey, good to know

 

[jeghaber]

At one school I interviewed at, they said they're kept in your file, and if you mail handwritten ones they actually scan them and keep them in your file. I'm sure not every school does, though.

I know some schools tell you to upload thank you emails to the application page as an "update," but how would this work for thank you emails sent directly to the interviewers? 😕 It probably depends on the school whether the note is added to your file...unless interviewers themselves upload it to your application 😱

 

[Ismet]

I'm not doubting you, it's just that's a huge step up from "they're basically worthless and will end up in the garbage" which is what it seems the prevailing attitude is.

Hey, good to know

Just because they're added to your file doesn't mean weight is put on them. Hypothetically I guess someone could say something unprofessional in their thank you, which might come back to bite them, but I'm sure that's rare.

 

[Ismet]

I know some schools tell you to upload thank you emails to the application page as an "update," but how would this work for thank you emails sent directly to the interviewers? 😕 It probably depends on the school whether the note is added to your file...unless interviewers themselves upload it to your application 😱

Interviewers can forward thank you emails to admissions.

 

[jamiechan]

for the mmi, i cant remember any of my interviewer's names. What should i do in this situation?

 

[Ismet]

for the mmi, i cant remember any of my interviewer's names. What should i do in this situation?

send a thank you email to the admissions office.

or don't send one at all.

 

[gyngyn]

send a thank you email to the admissions office.

or don't send one at all.

This.

 

[Lucky Louie]

"Dear MMI Committee,
Thank you for grilling me. I cringe doing these kind of interviews. It makes me feel like I'm on a firing line, pleading for mercy."