Thank you notes

[albaniandoc]

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I just had my first interview, and I think it went fairly well. Do I need to send thank you notes to the interviewers? Is it just the interviewers or the Dean and admission's director as well?
I am not sure what the etiquete is?
Thanks

 

[pej722]

Writing thank you notes for interviewers I think it a little overboard and really seems like you are sucking up. They didn't go out of their way for you. Anybody write thank you notes to professors?

 

[dr.z]

I just had my first interview, and I think it went fairly well. Do I need to send thank you notes to the interviewers? Is it just the interviewers or the Dean and admission's director as well?
I am not sure what the etiquete is?
Thanks

I always wrote one. I just sent one thank you card to the admissions office and asked to extend my thanks to everyone.

 

[Darch]

I just had my first interview, and I think it went fairly well. Do I need to send thank you notes to the interviewers? Is it just the interviewers or the Dean and admission's director as well?
I am not sure what the etiquete is?
Thanks

I am definitely sending thank you notes. I would send it as soon as possible too so they can match it with a face...this is something that I have heard over and over again. one of my undergrad deans went as far as to say that it can get you off of a waitlist...dont know if i believe that but cant hurt to send one if it's true!

 

[czanetti]

I emailed them a thank you

 

[albaniandoc]

Writing thank you notes for interviewers I think it a little overboard and really seems like you are sucking up. They didn't go out of their way for you. Anybody write thank you notes to professors?

Writting a thank you note to the professors is a must. I made sure they got a thank you email and one writen card. They certainly went out of their way to write a nice letter.
I think I am going to take my chances and send a letter to the interviewers. They were very nice and laid back and I don't think it would hurt me.

 

[xTinaBna]

Writting a thank you note to the professors is a must. I made sure they got a thank you email and one writen card. They certainly went out of their way to write a nice letter.
I think I am going to take my chances and send a letter to the interviewers. They were very nice and laid back and I don't think it would hurt me.

definitely send a thank you note..hand write a small card..it gives a personal touch. and try and write something that will make them remember you. For example, one of my interviewers asked a general question in our group interview (which was not part of the interview) if we knew the title of book written by a women's movement author (she wanted to know for her own personal use). No one knew at the time...after the interveiw i looked up the author and included the name of that book in my thank you note...i thought it was a clever touch 😉

 

[It'sElectric]

Writing thank you notes for interviewers I think it a little overboard and really seems like you are sucking up. They didn't go out of their way for you. Anybody write thank you notes to professors?

You're kidding, right??? Thank you notes are an absolute MUST. It's not like the actual thank you note is going to buy you a seat into the incoming class, but lack of thank you notes could very easily buy you a foot in the ass and on out the door.

It's common courtesy and shows you are professional, which is what all schools are looking for.

 

[scpod]

definitely send a thank you note..hand write a small card..it gives a personal touch. and try and write something that will make them remember you.

Hand written cards are great if you have time, but at one interview we were told that the committee was meeting the very next afternoon. I emailed practically everyone I met that day as soon as my flight landed. Why everyone? Because I had no idea who the actual committee members were, and if I had met one, I wanted him/her to get that email before they met later in the day.

Each school is different, though. One of my in-state MD schools has a 15 to 20 minute-long "mixer" where you briefly meet everyone on the commitee after you've had two interviews. They have over 20 members, including MDs, PhDs, and even a couple of students. They vote on you at the end of the day. At Bradenton, there are only 4 committee members, all DOs. I had no idea who they were at the time of my interview, but I know now. As it turned out one of my interviewers was a committee member, but that was just the luck of the draw. Fortunately, I had sent him a thank-you note note.

 

[misparas]

You're kidding, right??? Thank you notes are an absolute MUST. It's not like the actual thank you note is going to buy you a seat into the incoming class, but lack of thank you notes could very easily buy you a foot in the ass and on out the door.

It's common courtesy and shows you are professional, which is what all schools are looking for.

I guess I'm a jerk. I didn't even think about sending thank you notes. I was fine. I interviewed at four places and got in to all four.

Don't go overboard with them. There was a guy in my last interview group who asked everyone he met for a business card or address. The guy was going to be sending out like 20 thank you cards to this one school alone. That was a little overboard.

 

[misparas]

Oh yeah...

Most D.O. schools have already made their decision and contacted you before the card would arrive in the mail anyway. You hear from most in a week or two. They would play no role in your admission to the school.

If you want to do it out as a courtesy, great. If it's just to help you get in... guess it can't hurt?

 

[abcdefg]

You're kidding, right??? Thank you notes are an absolute MUST. It's not like the actual thank you note is going to buy you a seat into the incoming class, but lack of thank you notes could very easily buy you a foot in the ass and on out the door.

It's common courtesy and shows you are professional, which is what all schools are looking for.

Thank you cards are NOT important!!!! What is important is how you interview. Thank you cards are NOT a must, they just spell out A$$ Kisser!

 

[dr.z]

Thank you cards are NOT important!!!! What is important is how you interview. Thank you cards are NOT a must, they just spell out A$$ Kisser!

Sure thank you cards don't determine whether you get in or not. However, whenever you intervie it is a courtesy to send thank you letters/cards.

 

[It'sElectric]

Thank you cards are NOT important!!!! What is important is how you interview. Thank you cards are NOT a must, they just spell out A$$ Kisser!

I never once said that the thank you card would grant you admission. In fact, I tried to make clear that it would have no bearing on granting you admission. I was trying to point out that there are definitely people who would find it rude if you did not send a thank you card, and thus that could potentially affect your application.

Misparas- I never said you're a jerk if you don't send a thank you card. I said that it looks unprofessional in my personal opinion. I send thank you cards to people all the time (family, friends) whenever they go out of their way for me.

Also, I wouldn't generalize and say that DO schools all get back to students in 1 to 2 weeks. Some admisisons departments meet once a month (end of the month, or whatever), so if you interviewed the first of the month, that's definitely more than 2 weeks. I personally heard back in about 3 weeks from most of my schools, so I'm certain that they did all get my thank you cards beforehand. Obviously, the interview is what's most important, so please don't think I'm implying thank you cards are more important.

 

[misparas]

Misparas- I never said you're a jerk if you don't send a thank you card. I said that it looks unprofessional in my personal opinion.

No, I didn't think you did. I said that myself.

It's cool.

 

[It'sElectric]

Maybe "MUST" was a strong word. I guess each person should decide for themselves what's appropriate for each individual situation. Either way, I definitely don't think sending a thank you card is "sucking up". Sucking up would be sending some sort of gift or granting an undue amount of praise to one of your interviewers - now that would be ridiculous.

 

[albaniandoc]

I agree with the last poster. I mailed my thank you notes today. I send one to the admissions office (all the staff) and one to each interviewer. I honestly, do not think it is sucking up but more of a professional courtesy.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

I emailed all my interviewers when I'd get back home and many wrote back saying it was a pleasure to meet me. It won't make a difference between getting in and not getting in ... but it's courtesy and these guys might be your instructors soon (which still makes no difference but you may see them again).

 

[Junkster]

I emailed my interviewers and the head of the admin person for their hospitality. I was going to send out cards through snail mail, but with all the interviews adding up, and the fact that the admin peeps made their decisions within the week, I decided to suck up... I mean, send out emails instead.

I think it does make a difference to let them know that it did mean something. It'll help them keep you in mind when they are making their decisions... yes, sounds like sucking up, but hey, you should be willing to do whatever it takes to get into a program and put away your pride of "I'm not brown-nosing" crap.

 

[Nate]

I didn't send a thank you note to ANY of my interviewers and I was accepted to all the ones I went to. I figured that most people send them which make it ordinary, routine and insincere. Already you see here the main motive for sending them is to try and influence a decision and these people are professionals whom have seen it all. When you get to the school that accepts you, you should pop in to your interviewer and thank them in person. I think that is much more sincere. However, if it makes you feel better to send the card then do it for your own peace of mind. Good luck to all of you!

 

[st.exupery]

Here's another vote for a Yes, send one. (only if you liked the school, of course).

The TUCOM website actually gives interview advice, and they specifically say to write thank you notes.

I think it's a nice gesture, and depending on what you write, doesn't have to be ass-kissy. Still, I don't know how much of a role it plays in acceptance/denial.

 

[It'sElectric]

I didn't send a thank you note to ANY of my interviewers and I was accepted to all the ones I went to. I figured that most people send them which make it ordinary, routine and insincere. Already you see here the main motive for sending them is to try and influence a decision and these people are professionals whom have seen it all. When you get to the school that accepts you, you should pop in to your interviewer and thank them in person. I think that is much more sincere. However, if it makes you feel better to send the card then do it for your own peace of mind. Good luck to all of you!

I honestly don't think everyone (including myself) sends thank you letters simply to butter the interviewers up. It's a professional courtesy that, I think, more people need to get into the habit of doing. I also thought it was easy to be sincere in my thank yous, because I truly was grateful for being given the opportunity to interview and speak with each person. I think it looks good for this very reason.

People write thank you cards all the time, whether it be for graduation/wedding gifts, simple gratitude towards someone else, or as a way to express appreciation towards someone who provided you with a valuable opportunity (interview, tickets to a sporting event, business dinner, etc.).

 

[albaniandoc]

Hey Nate
You remin me of Cal (Seth Rogen) from the 40 yr old virgin.
Here is a pic

 

[Nate]

You are correct, it is not everyone's sole intention to "butter up" but I ask you this; how often do you think people send thank you notes to policemen, garbage collectors, job interviewers, professors, firemen, airline pilots, SDN moderators, etc.? If you do, then great, but I would imagine most people don't (or I just live in a very cynical world) so again, these committees are professionals and they have seen it all. Just like writing “I want to help people” as your main line in the personal statement is trite, so is sending a generic thank you letter to your interviewer. I have had this discussion with some of my classmates before and they disagree with me also so this is just my opinion but I believe in it.

 

[It'sElectric]

You are correct, it is not everyone's sole intention to "butter up" but I ask you this; how often do you think people send thank you notes to policemen, garbage collectors, job interviewers, professors, firemen, airline pilots, SDN moderators, etc.? If you do, then great, but I would imagine most people don't (or I just live in a very cynical world) so again, these committees are professionals and they have seen it all. Just like writing “I want to help people” as your main line in the personal statement is trite, so is sending a generic thank you letter to your interviewer. I have had this discussion with some of my classmates before and they disagree with me also so this is just my opinion but I believe in it.

I respect your opinion, but I just don't buy your analogy. Garbage collectors, policeman, professors, fireman, airline pilots, etc. don't receive thank you letters on a daily basis, because they're doing their regular JOB. However, when they go above and beyond, or they make an impact on someone else's life, I am 100% certain that they have received all sorts of thank yous.

The same goes for these interview committees. More often than not, they are various faculty related to the school who have other, "regular" positions with their respective university. Thus, they have more than gone out of their way to take the time and speak with me, so I am thankful and want to expess that gratitude towards them. By the way, people routinely tip their garbage collectors, postman, and others during various holidays - even more than a thank you letter.

 

[LWestenhofer]

I agree with It's Electric. If you would receive the same pay for your job whether or not you performed interviews, then you are going out of your way to help the school and, hopefully, us. I plan to send thank you notes. I also sent thank you notes to all of the physicians who wrote letters for me after I knew all the schools had received them, and I sent one to the prepro advisor at my school after his letters were sent out. I really was not doing it with the explicit intentions of kissing @$$. After all, they could be spending time doing the rest of their jobs or with their families if they were not tied up doing the interviews.

 

[erleichda]

e-mail vs. handwritten card? anyone have any thoughts?

 

[czanetti]

I sent an email, reason being both of the interviewers at TCOM gave me their email addresses and said emial them if I have any questions. Emailing would be fine.