Thanks and gifts to letter writers and advisor

[dougy]

I am one year removed from undergrad and an accepted applicant🙂 Wondering what would be appropriate tokens of appreciation for letter writers and med school advisor? I know I'm remiss to be thanking them almost 2 year late (i did initially email thank them) and should have send thank you notes and token of apprciation when they initially wrote them (not dependent on my success), but better late than never! Ideas appreciated....

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[Mansamusa]

Anything much beyond a thank you card would be weird and make the letter writer feel awkward (unless you guys had that kind of relationship). Imo

 

[Lost in Translation]

Anything beyond a thank you card would be weird and make the letter writer feel awkward (unless you guys had that kind of relationship). Imo

You should have had that kind of relationship if you wanted a strong LOR from them.

OP, I got each of my writers some alcohol (scotch for the males, wine for the females).

 

[Mansamusa]

You should have had that kind of relationship if you wanted a strong LOR from them.

OP, I got each of my writers some alcohol (scotch for the males, wine for the females).

I disagree. I have letter writers who offered to write me letters without me asking and with whom I've had personal coversations, but I still think they would have felt uncomfortable receiving gifts, especially something that costs a noticeable amount of money like scotch. Cards and baked goods are ways to say thank you. If you are non-trad and older I would also say it's a little different. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

I definitely think sending gifts 2 yrs after getting the letter is odd. As OP said, it would look like he is only thanking them because the letters worked.

 

[osckey]

I'm preparing a little gift for each of the people who supported me during undergrad. There isn't a single letter writer that I know that wouldn't appreciate a gift from me in the form of a small edible goodie bag paired with a thank you note or something in the neighborhood of that. As long as you don't go overboard with the gift, I doubt that it would be interpreted as a strange and awkward act by the person receiving the gift. I know several professors of mine who have received gifts from their students and are proud to display them on their desk or elsewhere in their office.

My mom is a college professor and she loves receiving gifts and good news from her past students. Professors want to feel appreciated. Keep it tasteful and there shouldn't be any problem.

 

[dougy]

Thanks for the input. Going to write each an update of where I'm heading with thanks for their support and encouragement. And a small gift shop token from current employer (CDC mug or CDC water bottle). Current CDC boss getting baked goods!

 

[LizzyM]

@dougy, I like your ideas. They fit your situation very well.

Over the years I've received baked goods & bonbons (yum, but they go straight to my hips), gift shop items from overseas, and a Starbucks card for ~$10. I was grateful for all of them. Most of all I cherish handwritten notes and emails that say "thanks, I'm going to ___ and I couldn't have done it without your help."

 

[JustAPhD]

I've always found coffee mugs/thermoses with the school you will be attendings logo makes for a nice and very practical gift. Pair it with a nice card and you can't go wrong.

 

[tantacles]

Thanks for the input. Going to write each an update of where I'm heading with thanks for their support and encouragement. And a small gift shop token from current employer (CDC mug or CDC water bottle). Current CDC boss getting baked goods!

Sounds great. I initially tried to give a dessert gift card, but my first letter-writer was not comfortable accepting anything with monetary value, so I ended up giving each recommender a small cake.


Large dogs

 

[Crayola227]

One of my LOR writers was a recovering alcoholic.
I've put my foot in my mouth one too many times that way, that I no longer assume everyone is OK with alcohol.

I gave each letter writer a handwritten thank you note and a small inexpensive box of quality chocolates. The offense there is maybe they're on a diet but it's a gift easy for them to regift, ie. offer to others while bragging, "a gift from someone I write a LOR for."

The card is easily kept. I'm not a fan of non-edible gifts because as people point out monetary value, not to mention it can sort of add up to junk they have to find ways of dispensing of, and that "Medical College of Georgia" lunch pail isn't a hot re-gift.

I agreee with what people have said about it coming late, but as they say, it's the thought that counts. The fact you would bother this long after I think says better of you than that it comes late.

Go for it.

 

[El-Rami]

I just sent e-mails to my letter writers and followed up by personally meeting up with some of them when I knew they weren't too busy. It was more than enough, although I will definitely keep in touch with them.

As for giving gifts, it's not a bad idea. However, keep in mind that you need to be careful what you give to folks. For example, it might not be the best idea to gift someone a box of chocolates only to find out they are actually a diabetic. Alcohol can also be tricky in case someone is a recovering alcoholic or simply abstains from it for religious reasons. A thank-you card would be the safest and most acceptable thing to give them.

 

[Tenk]

Thank you notes filled with success help pay it forward because then they know their work matters.