Thank you notes?

[SoulinNeed]

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I wasn't planning on sending thank you notes, but someone told me recently that they're expected by residency programs and not sending them would hurt my chances. Early last week, I interviewed at a program that's a top choice for me. Should I send them thank you e-mails, or is it too late to make a difference?

 

[Psychotic]

Not too late - it is too early. Send it in mid to late January, or at least right before programs make their rank lists.

 

[FlowRate]

I was just thinking about this yesterday, almost considered making a thread on it.

I received a nice, thoughtful thank-you email from an applicant I interviewed earlier this week. I had already submitted my evaluation and it wouldn't have affected my rating anyway, but it was really nice, especially because doing interviews actually is a good amount of unprotected time out of my PGY-1 day.

I didn't do thank-you emails last year, but now I wish I had.

The trouble on this end is deciding whether to reply or what to reply (I already replied, but mulled it over for a while.)

I would not send thank-you cards and I don't think I'd take the advice of sending them months down the line, unless you compose them the day after and then sit on them.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

I have to say that after spending hours filing thank you cards over the years and never seeing any of them become a part of a selection committee discussion, I have now taken to reading them and throwing them away. I suppose if there were one with significant information or clarification in the content, I would file it, but that has never been the case. E-mails are in some ways worse because I feel the need to respond or at least acknowledge receiving them. Post interview communication is so restrictive this can be awkward. At least I have never felt the need to compose a thank you thank you card.

 

[FlowRate]

E-mails are in some ways worse because I feel the need to respond or at least acknowledge receiving them. Post interview communication is so restrictive this can be awkward. At least I have never felt the need to compose a thank you thank you card.

I think if I were in your shoes, I would feel the same way. I'll interview like six people this year, not 600, and I don't represent the program in the same way that a PD does, if I do decide to reply.

 

[666357]

Not too late - it is too early. Send it in mid to late January, or at least right before programs make their rank lists.

You wait three days after going out with someone to call them up too?

Write a neat, short, handwritten letter. Do it soon after your interview. They took time out of their schedule to meet with you and likely provided you with dinner, lunch, and overnight lodging.

Writing it prior to them submitting their ROL doesn't improve your chances.

And if you go out with someone and genuinely like them, call them the next day. Don't play games.

 

[phonyreal98]

I tend to write thank you e-mails after interviews and things, but I think it has more to do with the way that I was brought up than anything else. I never actually expect a response to these since I know the folks I'm emailing are very busy.

 

[psychhopefull2016]

You wait three days after going out with someone to call them up too?

Write a neat, short, handwritten letter. Do it soon after your interview. They took time out of their schedule to meet with you and likely provided you with dinner, lunch, and overnight lodging.

Writing it prior to them submitting their ROL doesn't improve your chances.

And if you go out with someone and genuinely like them, call them the next day. Don't play games.

PD at my home institution recommended email over paper letters because they are easier to track and distribute!

 

[Psychotic]

You wait three days after going out with someone to call them up too?

Write a neat, short, handwritten letter. Do it soon after your interview. They took time out of their schedule to meet with you and likely provided you with dinner, lunch, and overnight lodging.

Writing it prior to them submitting their ROL doesn't improve your chances.

And if you go out with someone and genuinely like them, call them the next day. Don't play games.

Bad advice. No letters - douche move. If anything, emails only.

It is ALL games, pal. Sending a "you are my fave #1" in November is disingenuous given that there are 2+ months of interviews left...but if you are trying to game the process, go for it.

It would be far more effective to notify your favorite program after the interview season and before the ROL. A nice reminder for the program...

Whatever, knock yourself out. Comparing this to going on a date is, umm...really?

 

[666357]

Bad advice. No letters - douche move. If anything, emails only.

It is ALL games, pal. Sending a "you are my fave #1" in November is disingenuous given that there are 2+ months of interviews left...but if you are trying to game the process, go for it.

I guess if your a marginal candidate then maybe using desperate strategies is beneficial. I wouldn't know.

 

[masterofmonkeys]

I actually find thank you notes from med students after rotation way more meaningful...they often lead to better LORs and more consideration at interview/match/rank time. Personally,I rarely find the thank you note for interviews as meaningful unless there was an actual connection made.

 

[clozareal]

I think a thank you letter is polite and can be meaningful, especially if you clicked during the interview and talked about something interesting. However, I don't think it'll hurt your chances if you send them or if you don't send them.