For applicants to the current cycle, letters of recommendation are a thing of the past, and Secondaries are the current focus, right?
Maybe.
Have you sent Thank You notes to your letter writers? If not, you should consider.
1. Thanking your recommenders is the right thing to do. Period. Etiquette experts agree that writing a handwritten thank you note (yes, handwritten) is never inappropriate.
2. It’s not just about the letter. Even if you no longer anticipate frequent interactions with a writer of one of your letters (because you completed his or her course, are no longer working in his or her lab, or ended your commitment to the his or her volunteer organization, etc.), letter writers' names and contact information remain a very active part of your application. Not infrequently, Admissions Committees call recommenders of applicants. Whether it is because the Admissions Committee has further questions about you, is unsure whether to interview you, or is considering adding you to the waitlist, you want your writer to go to bat for you! For this reason, you want them to know how much you appreciate the incredible effort they put into your letters.
3. Did I mention it’s the right thing to do? If you absolutely dread the thought of a handwritten note, then sending an email is better than nothing at all. That said, imagine how much you will stand out when all your peers send emails and you send a old-fashioned note.
Have you sent Thank You notes to your letter writers? If not, you should consider.
1. Thanking your recommenders is the right thing to do. Period. Etiquette experts agree that writing a handwritten thank you note (yes, handwritten) is never inappropriate.
2. It’s not just about the letter. Even if you no longer anticipate frequent interactions with a writer of one of your letters (because you completed his or her course, are no longer working in his or her lab, or ended your commitment to the his or her volunteer organization, etc.), letter writers' names and contact information remain a very active part of your application. Not infrequently, Admissions Committees call recommenders of applicants. Whether it is because the Admissions Committee has further questions about you, is unsure whether to interview you, or is considering adding you to the waitlist, you want your writer to go to bat for you! For this reason, you want them to know how much you appreciate the incredible effort they put into your letters.
3. Did I mention it’s the right thing to do? If you absolutely dread the thought of a handwritten note, then sending an email is better than nothing at all. That said, imagine how much you will stand out when all your peers send emails and you send a old-fashioned note.
Here’s a template to get you started.
Dear Dr./Professor Miller,
Thank you for taking the time to write a letter in support of my application to medical school. I know that recommendation letters require significant time and finesse, and I truly appreciate your willingness to write on my behalf. I anticipate that interviews will begin soon, and I will continue to update you on my progress and final plans. Thank you again for your support.
Warmest regards,
Corey Medical Student
Dear Dr./Professor Miller,
Thank you for taking the time to write a letter in support of my application to medical school. I know that recommendation letters require significant time and finesse, and I truly appreciate your willingness to write on my behalf. I anticipate that interviews will begin soon, and I will continue to update you on my progress and final plans. Thank you again for your support.
Warmest regards,
Corey Medical Student
Wasn't that easy?
