Thank you notes

[sethco]

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Does anybody have an opinion on who you should send them to after the interview? Just like the PD, Associate/Assistant PD, and Chair? Should I send it to anybody else? Should the thank you notes be by e-mail or hand copy? If hard copy, hand written or typed? Any thoughts?

 

[cak]

Last year I sent typed letters to everyone who interviewed me along with the chair and PD even if they didn't interview me. And I even sent a couple to the coordinators/secretaries for being so nice/helpful on interview day. I know some people who also emailed thank-you letters, and I think that that's appropriate too.

I started to hand-write mine at the beginning, but then someone told me it was too informal ( I don't necessarily think so). I guess typed or emailed thank-yous would be the best. And try to get them out within a week of your interview. And I would send them even if you had a bad interview or hated the place. It's just good form.


Hope this helps.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Hey Seth,

I would send one to everyone you interviewed with, including any residents who you feel you were able to communicate effectively on the pre interview dinner or on the day of the interview. Their feedback could be what tips the scales in your favor.

 

[snowman8]

What is the best method for sending a thank you note?

email
typed letter
personal card

Thanks

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Card or e-mail is enough. Letter is probably overboard.

 

[OldManDave]

Does anybody have an opinion on who you should send them to after the interview? Just like the PD, Associate/Assistant PD, and Chair? Should I send it to anybody else? Should the thank you notes be by e-mail or hand copy? If hard copy, hand written or typed? Any thoughts?

It is considered both appropriate & professional to send thank you cards after any business meeting or interviews. No, it is not mandatory - but it does demonstrate your appreciation to those who took time out of their day to guide you around, answer your endless stream of questions, organize the whole process & to interview you. To not express your appreciation would seem undue.

Will thank you cards push a marginal candidate over the top - I doubt it. Will they significantly enhance your application? I doubt it. However, if mailed w/i 24 hours & hand-written in such a way that you show you paid attention to your interviewer - it may make his/her evaluation of you a little brighter.

My opinion, FWIW...

 

[powermd]

I sent email thank you notes to all PDs thanking them for inviting me, and to interviewers who I felt I struck a chord with. If it was a boring interview, I didn't bother. At programs where 5+ people interviewed me, I only sent a letter to the chair. It just felt excessive sending letters to people who only spent 20 minutes cranking through my application, and those of 15 other interviewees. In the end, I doubt any of it mattered. I wrote very nice letters to interviewers and chairpeople at my top 4 prelim medicine programs, and didn't match any of them!

 

[CaliGirlDO]

I agree with above posts. I sent thank you cards in the form of Christmas cards since most of my interviews occurred before or around the holiday season. Definitely send one to PD/chair, plus anyone who interviewed you or made your day special.

I personally hand-wrote mine, but I would only recommend that if you have nice script. I did it this way just because I thought it would be more personal that way. Just use appropriate and professional language and it will still come off allright to whomever is receiving it.