A thoughtful and personalized post-interview thank you letter can reinforce the positive impression you made during your interview and showcase your professionalism beyond the formal interview setting.
Best Practices
- Send within 48 hours of your interview.
- Write with an appreciative and professional tone.
- Keep length between 150-300 words.
- Direct your primary thank you letter to the Program Director (or most senior interviewer).
- Send individual, personalized letters to additional interviewers if desired.
- Include specific details that demonstrate genuine interest and attention.
- Include the letter in the body of your email, not as an attachment.
Making Your Letter Stand Out
- Reference your interview date.
- Include memorable details from your conversation.
- Elaborate on 2-3 topics from your interview that you enjoyed discussing. This is the important part of the letter and should be very personal and positive.
What to Avoid
- Generic language (i.e., AI-generated content).
- Overly lengthy messages.
- Sending letters to programs that explicitly discourage post-interview communication.
- Premature ranking declarations.
A common pitfall is mentioning ranking intentions too early in the season. Unless you’re interviewing in mid-January or later, avoid making ranking statements. You may receive additional interview invitations that change your preferences, and every year, applicants face the awkward situation of having told a program they’re ranking them #1, only to change their mind later.
Structuring Your Note
A well-crafted thank you note typically consists of 3-4 paragraphs.
Begin your note with a strong opening paragraph thanking the interviewer for their time, specifically mentioning your interview date. Reiterate your interest in the program, incorporating a specific detail from the interview that reinforced your enthusiasm.
Paragraphs 2 & 3 should focus on meaningful connections from your interview. Highlight 2-3 specific topics you discussed and reflect thoughtfully on these conversations. Perhaps the discussion helped deepen your understanding of the program’s unique attributes, provided valuable insights about residency training, or furthered your understanding of a particular clinical or research area. This is your opportunity to demonstrate active engagement and genuine interest while making connections between the program’s offerings and your professional goals.
Your closing paragraph should maintain enthusiasm while being concise and professional. Reiterate your appreciation and interest in the program, ending on a positive note that leaves a lasting impression.
Finally…
Don’t feel disheartened if you don’t receive a response! Some programs have policies limiting post-interview communication, and others choose not to respond to thank you letters to avoid showing bias. A thoughtfully written thank you note can only help—or at worst, remain neutral—in your application process.