Sending a thank-you note after a medical school interview can show that you are polite and grateful for the interviewer's time. Even though you can thank them over the phone or by email, a written letter may convey your gratitude to the recipient more effectively.
You can prepare for the following stage of your medical career by learning to compose a thank-you letter for a medical school interview.
In this post, we are going to share with you the importance of writing a “thank you letter" to the interviewer after your medical school interview. In addition, you will learn some tips on how to write it, make a template, and read a few samples.
What is a Medical School Interview Thank You Letter and Email?
Every one of us learned in school the importance of saying "Thank you." This behavior may once more assist you in influencing others.
Sending a "thank you letter" to the interviewers after your medical school interview can make a favorable impression.
To the panel, which includes the admissions dean and the administrators, express your gratitude for the opportunity.
An interview day requires a lot of planning and preparation, with the admissions office working with all the actors, interviewers, and other participants that day. So, sending them a thank-you note can be really helpful.
In today's digital age, handwritten "thank you notes" are uncommon, but they may stand out in a sea of emails.
Although handwritten letters add a personal touch and are a welcome gesture, emails that express gratitude are equally suitable.
Should I Send a Thank You Letter (or Email) After a Medical School Interview?
Following an interview, thank you notes are a great way to remind the admissions committee of your candidacy and goals. You might increase your chances of getting accepted to your ideal medical school if you make a strong impression during your interview and thank-you letter.
As a candidate, listed below are the reasons you must send a “thank you letter” after your medical school interview.
Thank You Letters Show Courtesy
Sending a thank you letter can demonstrate to your interviewer that you know the norms in the area since it is customary politeness in many sectors. Everyone, not just you as a medical student candidate, should express gratitude for the time and effort given.
Thank You Letters Demonstrate Your Gratitude
After your interview, you can think about writing a thank-you note to express your appreciation for the chance to pursue a career in medicine.
As mentioned, preparing for an interview requires time and preparation from the admissions committee.Thank You Letters Give You a Chance to Connect
The day after your interview, send a thank you letter to give the interviewer one more chance to get to know you and form a positive impression. This could be your chance to stand out against other medical students who are also applying for admission.
When Should I Send the Thank You Letter or Email?
To give the interviewer enough time to examine your application, you should send your thank you note as soon as possible following the interview, ideally within 24 hours.
Reminding them of your candidacy, abilities, and personality may further increase your chances for admission. Receiving a "thank you letter" may change how they view you.
The early bird catches the worm. Your thank you letter will significantly impact the likelihood that you will get accepted to your ideal school, which is a crucial step in the admissions process.Handwritten vs. Email Thank You Letters
Keep in mind that sending a "thank you letter" is crucial because sending a thank-you note is equally effective in leaving a lasting impression.
Here are a few things to remember to help you decide whether to write a thank you email or a letter.
Handwritten Thank You Letter
Handwritten messages often feel more intimate. Your handwritten letter will stand out among hundreds of similar emails.
The mere fact that you put in the time and effort to handwrite a "thank you letter" will be greatly appreciated by them, and they will likely remember you for it.
A handwritten letter also gives the interviewers a personal touch, a welcome change of pace. They have their own charm, but there is a chance that they will go misplaced in the mail.
If you decide to go for a handwritten thank you letter, find a classy card and a decent envelope if you choose to send a handwritten note. We suggest you practice writing you "thank you letter" on a different piece of paper beforehand. This is in case you are not confident in your handwriting.Thank You Emails
Emails are, first and foremost, quick and dependable. They are also regarded as being more formal, giving the candidate's efforts a more polished appearance.
You can be sure that your email will always go to its intended recipient. You will almost certainly receive a response, even if it comes from an automated system.
Additionally, in medicine, everyone is connected by email and frequently checks their inboxes. You will not know the interviewer's impression until you hear back from them. Handwritten letters might take days to arrive, be lost or forgotten, or even land in the trash.
Depending on your comfort level and how you regard the interviewers, you can choose any of the two possibilities.
How to Write a Thank You Letter and Email After Medical School Interview
Writing letters of gratitude to the interviewers, the dean of admissions, and admissions office employees is generally a brilliant idea. They are the ones who supported you on the day of your interview after your medical school interview.
To help you make your “thank you letter” or email, here are a few tips we have for you.
Have a Template
It would help to make medical school interviews thank you note templates because you will probably go to multiple interviews. This will enable you to send the messages out promptly.
Save time by using the form as a starting point, but be sure to customize each thing you mention to the particular program and the topics covered during your interview.
Create a Salutation and an Introduction
Write the interviewer's name, title, or other desired address at the start of your letter. After that, introduce yourself and state the purpose of your letter. This can recap the topics you and your interviewer discussed while speaking.
Acknowledge Your Interviewer
You can thank the interviewer for the opportunity in the body of your letter. You can express gratitude by thanking them for their time, effort, and questions throughout the interview.
Additionally, it might tempt them to continue reading your letter of appreciation.
Cite Specific Examples
Consider talking about specifics of your interview, such as a subject you covered, after thanking the interviewer. You can also elaborate on a point the interviewer brought up throughout the session.
The interviewer may remember you better if you mention specifics regarding the interview. Additionally, it might persuade them to give your application more thought.
Update Your Education or Career
If possible, think about telling the interviewer about any changes to your employment situation. This might be a change in your educational path, a job promotion, or a certificate you've obtained.
Your interviewer will see how you are doing and know that you are actively pursuing your career goals if you provide information about your career path.
Close the Letter
Once you have covered everything you want regarding the interview, consider concluding your letter.
You might finish with a line that expresses your gratitude for the chance and how excited you are to hear back about your application. After that, you can sign off by including your full name and closing the message.
8 Tips for Writing a Medical School Interview Thank You Letter and Email
Your "thank you letter," and email for the medical school interview should impact the interviewers. When writing a thank you letter or email, keeping a few things in mind would be best.
For your reference, here are some tips we can give you when you write your medical school interview thank you letter and email.
Be Respectful
Your “thank you letter” must begin with a formal salutation (i.e., Dear Dr. Smith). It is always better to be formal in your letter, even if the interviewer was informal the entire time.
Be Unique
Try to stand out from the rest of the other applicants. You are not the only person putting in a thank-you letter. The interviewers must be impressed by the letter and retain your name.
Therefore, the only way to get in is to stand out. Recall the conversation and mention the points that you know the interviewers connected with.
Keep the Message Concise
It would help if you learned to say only the important stuff in a letter without rambling.
Keep in mind that the interviewers are busy individuals with many letters to read. So, for an efficient thank-you note, use the fewest possible words to convey all the necessary information.
Emphasize Your Strengths
In addition to being a fantastic method to express your gratitude, thank you letters also give you a chance to promote yourself as a candidate. Use this opportunity to highlight qualities that make you stand out.
Offer to Supply Further Information
Indicate that you are willing and able to provide any additional data or supporting materials that may be needed to make a final judgment on your application.
Knowing that a candidate is approachable and eager to go above and beyond to fulfill the institution's needs is always helpful.
It will help to say something brief and uncomplicated, like, "Please let me know if there's anything else you need to assess my candidacy."Have Someone Proofread Your Thank You Letter
After writing your letter, think about asking a friend, teacher, or roommate to proofread it.
This might be advantageous because you can improve your material by identifying and fixing any language or writing errors with the assistance of a third party.
Consider Going for a Thank You Email
Although writing an actual letter is a powerful way to express gratitude, you can send a digital letter if the interviewer prefers email.
Sending a digital letter might be more appropriate for your circumstance, for instance, if they are abroad or have moved or relocated.
Remember, a handwritten thank you letter is useless if it does not reach the recipient.
Send Your Thank You Letter as Quickly as You Can
Consider submitting your note of appreciation as soon as you can following the interview, if at all feasible.
The sooner you communicate with your interviewer, the more likely they will recall you when they read it.
Medical School Interview Thank You Letters and Email Template
You'll probably go to many interviews—not just for medical school, but for everything in your life. Any interview should end with a thank you note sent via email or writing.
Making a general thank you template will help you a little bit because of this. It will stop you from spending 20 minutes trying to think of something to say while staring at a blank page. Any good letter of appreciation has the following details:
Dear [Name or Title of Interviewer],
[Begin the letter with your name, why you're writing it, and a phrase expressing your appreciation for the interview.]
[Include anecdotes or other facts that are specific to the interview.]
[Discuss, if applicable, any professional advances or goals you've attained since your interview.]
[Reiterate your appreciation to the interviewer in a few phrases and emphasize how interested you are in learning the results of your application.]
[Sign off]
[Your name]
Medical School Interview Thank You Letters and Email Samples
We cannot reiterate it enough. Thank you letters and emails after a medical school interview is a must. It betters your chances of getting admitted and standing out from the rest.
Here are a few medical school interview "thank you letter" to help you compose your own.
Example 1:
Hello, Dr. Hastings,
This is Sue, and I want to express my gratitude to you for spending your time last week to speak with me about my application at McLean's Medical.
We had a good discussion about McLean's and the possibilities there for me as a medical student. Learning about the institution and the steps you take as a professor and administrator were beneficial.
I also valued our discussion of the medical industry. I am writing to thank you for the industry expertise you imparted because it has given me a lot to think about.
Since my interview, I have attended peer conferences to advance my credentials and prepare for classes the following year. My medical career will benefit greatly from continuing my studies at McLean's, and your assistance in advancing the sector is greatly appreciated.
I am eagerly anticipating speaking with you soon.
With gratitude
Sue Park
Example 2:
Greetings, Dr. Anderson.
I value you taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me last January 24. We had a terrific talk, and I learned much about Baylor University. I think it will be a good fit for my learning style, interests, and many medical interests.
Every person I interacted with during my interview was friendly and exciting. I can definitely see myself contributing to the institution as a student. The student-run clinic intrigues me, and I can picture myself working there, aiding the most fortunate while honing my clinical abilities.
Attending Baylor University would be a privilege. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you assess my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Hugh Miller
Example 3:
Dear Dr. Tan
I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me during our interview on March 17 at UCLA. I enjoyed reading about your experiences very much.
Our conversation has made me more aware of ways that I can contribute as a prospective student. The significance of our discussion regarding mental health struck me particularly hard. It exactly matches the characteristics I'm looking for in a medical school.
I would be honored to be able to attend UCLA, which is still one of my top selections among all medical schools in the nation.
I am hoping to run into you again soon!
Respectfully,
Sandra Page
Example 4:
Dear Mr. Sripuri
I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me on November 5.
I had a great time meeting you and learning about your institution, which fits my interests and learning style. Everyone I interacted with on the interview day was friendly and engaging. I would fit in well at the medical school and contribute as a student.
I am particularly interested in the public health student research options and the student-run clinic where I might work to continue serving the underserved.
I was interested in your research, and I hope the National Society of Esteemed Faculty meeting went well.
To study with you at Smith University would be an honor. Please inform me of any other information you require to assess my candidacy.
Thank you,
Jill Lee
Example 5:
Dear Dr. Gonzales,
I appreciate your taking the time to interview me on February 22. I had a terrific time meeting you and gained a lot from talking to you.
I believe the institution is a perfect fit for my learning style. I want to pursue my interests in medicine with the help of knowledgeable professors like you.
I genuinely appreciated learning about your toxicity research. I hope the Lincoln University talk you gave went well. I wish to pursue my interests in toxicology education. Thus, I would be honored to study under you at Peterson College.
I hope to have the opportunity to join this esteemed organization, and I am looking forward to learning more from you!
Best regards,
Kendra Chan
Final Thoughts
It is unnecessary to send a thank-you note after a medical school interview. Sending a thank you letter or email does and will not guarantee admission. There are many facets of the application process.
However, in a world with fierce competition, a simple gesture like this unquestionably impacts the interview panel. A simple "thank you" will set you apart in a highly competitive environment and get you one step closer to success. Best of luck!