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Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 4/25/24
Have you been sending thank-you notes after your medical school interviews? Let’s take a look at some examples to help you write stellar thank-you notes after your interviews.
By now, you may have noticed that you’ll be up against some stiff competition when applying for medical school. You may be wondering, “What are some ways I can stand out from the crowd?” or “How can I further express my interest in a medical school program?” If you’re asking those questions, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s talk about medical school interview thank-you notes. Although it may seem like a small gesture, expressing gratitude and following up after a medical school interview can set you apart from other applicants.
Here we’ll cover how to format your medical school thank-you note, demonstrate some successful examples, and more. Let’s get started!
A med school thank you note is a follow-up letter sent via snail mail or email to express gratitude to your interviewer. Most students also include an anecdote from their interview to remind their interviewer of who they are and the date of their interview and further express their interest in the program.
These letters are a great way to demonstrate your interest in your potential future medical school. Even if you think you had a successful interview, it's essential to remember that a simple gesture like expressing gratitude and following up can make a big difference.
Your letter should include specific information pertaining to your interview, such as the questions asked, your responses, and any valuable insights gained during the conversation. Avoid sending a note you could easily send to any other interviewer without adjustments.
Here, we’ll analyze some stellar medical school interview thank-you note examples. We’ll cover how they’re successful and how they could potentially improve.
“Dear Attorney Smith,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss my strong interest in the internship at the Housing Rights Center. I enjoyed learning about the organization’s recent efforts to protect the housing rights of low-income tenants in Los Angeles. As an L.A. native, I am keenly aware of the challenging circumstances many residents face and admire HRC’s efforts to address the city’s persistent socio-economic injustice. Our conversation yesterday further strengthened my interest in working for HRC this summer. Please let me know if I can provide you with additional information. Thank you again for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
James Henry”
How this example is successful: Although this example is for law school, the same concepts apply. The interviewee reminds the interviewer of his strong interest in the program. He then recalls a specific detail of something he learned about in the interview. This is a great way to show the interviewer that you listened to everything they said and took something positive from your conversation.
The interviewee continues to express specific things he likes about the program and connects himself to those things. In the letter, the candidate mentions the program’s recent efforts to improve housing rights in L.A. and then follows this up with his connection to L.A. and these issues. You can follow a similar pattern in your letter to demonstrate that the goals of the program align with your own, making you the perfect fit.
The candidate ends on a strong note by further expressing his interest in the program and once again thanking the interviewer for their consideration.
How this example could improve: The interviewee states that the interview was “yesterday,” though he could be a little more specific. Interviewers often see many candidates in a day and may need to be reminded of the specific time of your interview to remember who you are. You can include this information at the top of your note or in the subject of your email.
“Dear Mr. Jones,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday. I enjoyed learning about the internship at the Housing Rights Center and appreciated the opportunity to meet with you and other members of the staff. Please thank Mr. Johnson, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Williams for speaking with me about their efforts to address predatory lending practices. My experience working with recent immigrants at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau has affirmed my commitment to working with those who encounter socio-economic and linguistic barriers. I am very excited about the possibility of joining HRC next fall. Please let me know if I can provide you with additional information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jessica Adams”
How this example is successful: Here we’ve included an example of a group interview thank-you note to give you an idea of how you can adjust your thank-you note accordingly. This note is mostly similar to the first example; the interviewee begins by thanking the interviewer, stating when their interview was, and mentioning something specific that they learned about.
The main difference in this group example is that the candidate thanks each individual interviewer and names them. This is a great way to demonstrate that you truly paid attention to every detail and are grateful to each individual who partook in your interview. The candidate finishes by reaffirming their interest and thanking the interviewers once again.
“Dear (Recipient Name),
It was a pleasure to speak with you by phone today about the Advertising Associate role at HUGE. I enjoyed learning more about the team. In particular, I appreciated our discussion about Generation Z and how to strategically market to them.
I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute my experience as a marketing assistant communicating with clients and researching and analyzing market trends.
In addition, my psychology major has given me insight and strategies for understanding Generation Z and how people respond to advertisements.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]”
How this example is successful: In this sample thank-you note from Columbia University, the candidate specifies the method of interview and sends their thank-you note later the same day. They continued to mention specific topics that were discussed in their interview and noted how their personal experience gave them insight into how to improve the program.
How this example could improve: The main issue with this example is its brevity. While your thank-you note should not be very long, it should not be too short, either. Your letter should be just over 110 words in length and no more than 200 words total.
Here's a template for a medical school interview thank you letter:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Today's Date]
[Admissions Committee's Name]
[Medical School Name]
[Medical School Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Admissions Committee's Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to interview at [Medical School Name] on [Interview Date]. It was a privilege to meet with the esteemed members of your admissions committee and to learn more about your exceptional medical program.
The interview experience further solidified my enthusiasm for [Medical School Name]. I was genuinely impressed by [mention specific aspects or highlights of the program, faculty, or campus] during my visit, and I am even more eager to be a part of the [Medical School Name] community.
I want to reiterate my unwavering commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. My passion for [mention your specific motivations or experiences related to medicine] drives my dedication to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. [Medical School Name]'s mission and values align perfectly with my aspirations, and I believe that your institution will provide me with the ideal environment to nurture my growth as a future healthcare professional.
I would like to express my appreciation for the warm and professional manner in which I was received by everyone during the interview day. Your kindness and willingness to answer my questions made me feel welcomed and valued.
Once again, thank you for considering my application and providing me with the opportunity to interview at [Medical School Name]. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the [Medical School Name] community and working towards my goal of becoming a compassionate and competent healthcare provider.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or if there are any additional materials I can provide to support my application. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
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Notes:
You've put all the work into interview prep, and now it's time to ensure you leave a lasting impression. Here are five simple tips on how to write an effective interview thank-you letter:
Time is of the essence. Sending your thank-you letter promptly, ideally within 24-48 hours after the interview, demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position or opportunity. It also keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind.
Personalization is key. Begin your thank-you letter with a personalized salutation, addressing the interviewer by name if possible.
Mention specific details from the interview, such as questions you asked and answered, a piece of advice received, or a project the company is currently working on. This shows that you were actively engaged during the interview and that you're genuinely interested in the role or program.
Express your gratitude sincerely. Start your letter with a warm thank-you for the opportunity to interview. Let the interviewer know that you appreciate their time and consideration. This simple courtesy can go a long way toward building a positive impression.
Reiterate your interest in the position or program. Explain why you're enthusiastic about the opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals or personal aspirations. Use this section to connect your qualifications and experiences with the organization's needs and values. This helps reinforce your suitability for the role.
Brevity and professionalism are vital. Keep your thank-you letter concise, typically limited to one page. Use a professional tone throughout the letter, and avoid using overly casual language or jargon. Proofread your letter carefully for grammar and spelling errors to ensure it is polished and error-free.
Incorporating these tips into your interview thank-you letter can help you create a thoughtful and impactful message that leaves a positive impression on the interviewer. Remember, your thank-you letter is not just a formality; it's an opportunity to reinforce your qualifications and demonstrate your professionalism.
Let's discuss these common mistakes in a straightforward and conversational manner:
Remember, a thank-you letter is a way to leave a lasting positive impression after an interview. Avoiding these common mistakes can help you make the most of this opportunity.
Here, we’ll go over some frequently asked questions about medical school thank-you note examples.
You should not plagiarize thank-you note examples from the internet. You should use them as a guide when crafting your own thank-you notes to ensure you include all necessary information.
A medical school interview thank-you note should be between 100-200 words in length. Avoid typing more than one page or including an overwhelming amount of information. Instead, focus on your strong interest in the program and your gratitude.
Here are the most important points to include in your thank-you note:
You should also address your interviewer(s) by name to demonstrate that you paid attention and remembered details. The more specific you are, the better!
Your interview thank-you notes should be unique and include specific information from each individual meeting. Avoid sending general notes to every interviewer. A non-specific thank-you note may seem disingenuous and do more harm than good to your overall application.
Thank-you notes are not mandatory but are standard practice. You should send a thank-you note after each of your medical school interviews to reaffirm your interest and express gratitude to your interviewers.
The best way to ensure that your thank-you letter stands out from others is by including the date and time of your interview and specific information you learned during your meeting. Both of these components will help your interviewer put a face to your name, which can be helpful during the selection process.
Getting the interviewer's contact information is as simple as asking for it directly at the end of the interview. You can politely request their email or business card to send a thank-you note.
If that's not an option, check the interview invitation, the company's website, or LinkedIn profiles. If you're still stuck, reach out to the company's HR department or tap into your networking connections for help. Just remember to use the contact info professionally and only for relevant communication.
If you’re wondering whether you should send a med school interview thank you letter, the answer is yes, you absolutely should! Your thank-you note should be genuine and recall unique information from your interview.
Make sure to include the date, time, and your name at the end of the letter. The more specific you can be, the more likely your interviewer will remember exactly who you are.
Remember that your thank-you note should be unique to you. Avoid copying templates or examples from the internet. Instead, use our examples to guide your own thank-you letters.
Good luck!
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