Thank You Letters to LORs (When?) Forum

(Applications Advice, Letters of Recommendation . . . )
starrydreamz3

Silver
Posts: 680
Joined: Sat May 05, 2007 11:42 am

Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by starrydreamz3 » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:03 pm

When is it appropriate to start writing thank you letters/updates to your LOR writer? I've gotten into 2 schools so far (hopefully one more thats in the mail!) but thats only half way through my cycle.

Should I send a thank you email updating them? And then maybe a nicer letter/gift at the end of the cycle? I don't want them to think I've forgotten about them.

What's everyone else doing?

Sandro

Gold
Posts: 2525
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:12 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by Sandro » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:08 pm

I'm waiting until I get in to places.

User avatar
neptunestar

New
Posts: 99
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 5:27 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by neptunestar » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:13 pm

Yeah, I was gonna wait until I know where I'm going so that I can write them a definitive "I've decided to attend x law school in the fall. Thanks so much for your help!"

User avatar
cortnf

Bronze
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:13 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by cortnf » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:34 pm

Waiting until I start getting in. Handwritten note and a small (<$20) gift is the going rate, correct?

User avatar
Fresh

Silver
Posts: 681
Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:30 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by Fresh » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:45 pm

What do you guys plan on doing for gifts exactly?
Like a gift card type deal?

I've written notes halfway through the cycle with the promise to update at the end (when I've decided where to attend). But of course this all depends on your relationship with your recommender.

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


HowdyYall

Bronze
Posts: 444
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:49 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by HowdyYall » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:47 pm

MY SITUATION IS SO AWKWARD; i have literally seen my recommender 8-9 times since he wrote my letter in august.

User avatar
Mike12188

Silver
Posts: 792
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:07 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by Mike12188 » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:52 pm

I have a class with one of my recommenders and she put me on the spot like 3 times in front of the whole class, and every time she says "keep us updated"

mst

Silver
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 3:01 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by mst » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:56 pm

Mike12188 wrote:I have a class with one of my recommenders and she put me on the spot like 3 times in front of the whole class, and every time she says "keep us updated"
Hahaha that has to be so awkward.

What's an appropriate amount of money to spend on a bottle of wine or champagne for a thank you gift?

User avatar
neptunestar

New
Posts: 99
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 5:27 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by neptunestar » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:59 pm

I wouldnt buy your recommender anything if you have a professional relationship with them, reference letters and recommendations are part of the supervisor/manager/boss position. Same can be said for an academic reference also. I guess it strictly depends.

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


edubs003

Bronze
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:42 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by edubs003 » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:02 pm

I thanked my recommender's with a little box of chocolates after LSAC had received them. For one of them, I bought a bottle of vodka. Only about $15 for each person. I haven't talked to them too much since then but will keep them updated with my plans. I was told by a couple of people that you don't have to buy them anything but I'm sure they wouldn't turn something down.

starrydreamz3

Silver
Posts: 680
Joined: Sat May 05, 2007 11:42 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by starrydreamz3 » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:04 pm

I'd like to buy them a bottle of wine, seeing as both my Professors have bought me alcohol before. But I really don't know their tastes.

I'm thinking a gift certificate to a restaraunt in the area of my school. Idk. If I get into Columbia, the gifts will get better. lol.

bartleby

Silver
Posts: 1314
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 3:23 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by bartleby » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:08 pm

Is it weird that I got my recommenders each a set of OXO Pop Containers? Everyone needs more storage.

mst

Silver
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 3:01 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by mst » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:14 pm

starrydreamz3 wrote:I'd like to buy them a bottle of wine, seeing as both my Professors have bought me alcohol before. But I really don't know their tastes.

I'm thinking a gift certificate to a restaraunt in the area of my school. Idk. If I get into Columbia, the gifts will get better. lol.
I got you a gift certificate to Cambridges finest restaurant!

Prof: But I live in Stillwater...

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!


User avatar
cortnf

Bronze
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:13 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by cortnf » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:15 pm

bartleby wrote:Is it weird that I got my recommenders each a set of OXO Pop Containers? Everyone needs more storage.
this haha. i think tupperware is more of a hostess gift but i don't see a problem with it. they'll think of you every time they use it!

Arbiter213

Gold
Posts: 2248
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:16 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by Arbiter213 » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:18 pm

For college recommenders I got my writers pen's emblazoned with my school of choice's name/insignia when I got in.

2011Law

Silver
Posts: 822
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:40 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by 2011Law » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:22 pm

Am I the only one who is only planning on shooting them an email once I decide where I will attend?

User avatar
achilles

Bronze
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:08 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by achilles » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:30 pm

2011Law wrote:Am I the only one who is only planning on shooting them an email once I decide where I will attend?

Ya I'll probably email mine letting them know where I'm going. BUT I already sent them thank you notes with the two schools I have it narrowed down to. So, I'd recommend sending them a note if you haven't already. It doesn't take very long, and hand-written notes are always appreciated. But I'm not getting them presents because I honestly wouldn't know what to get and I'd have to ship it.

Get unlimited access to all forums and topics

Register now!

I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...


User avatar
cortnf

Bronze
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:13 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by cortnf » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:33 pm

2011Law wrote:Am I the only one who is only planning on shooting them an email once I decide where I will attend?
handwritten thank you notes should be 100% necessary. they take hardly any time, and it's the correct professional protocol. gifts are less necessary, but my recommenders wrote great letters and have been super helpful.

almostfamous

Bronze
Posts: 250
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:08 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by almostfamous » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:35 pm

Hmm...I wrote my recommenders handwritten thank you notes when I gave them the envelopes to send to LSAC. Do I need to write them another handwritten note when I find out where I'm going, or would an email suffice?

User avatar
cortnf

Bronze
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:13 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by cortnf » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:56 pm

almostfamous wrote:Hmm...I wrote my recommenders handwritten thank you notes when I gave them the envelopes to send to LSAC. Do I need to write them another handwritten note when I find out where I'm going, or would an email suffice?
i think email would suffice, but another note would be a nice gesture.

User avatar
ahduth

Gold
Posts: 2467
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:55 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by ahduth » Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:25 pm

2011Law wrote:Am I the only one who is only planning on shooting them an email once I decide where I will attend?
No, you're not. I talk to these people often enough, some sort of hand-written note would be awk-ward.

Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.

Register now, it's still FREE!


User avatar
swilson215

Silver
Posts: 1109
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:35 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by swilson215 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:54 am

I got each of my recommenders a small gift ($15 each...a box of famous chews from my hometown) and sent each with a hand-written thank you note on some nice stationery. I'd been out of school a year before I even asked for my LORs though. They all thanked me for the candy and asked I keep them informed, so I'm planning on sending a follow up at the end of my cycle listing a few of my acceptances and my ultimate decision.

Aggiegrad2011

Gold
Posts: 1514
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 6:42 pm

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by Aggiegrad2011 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:59 am

Once I start getting INTO places and off "review" lists, I'm going to get each one of my evaluators and recommenders a gift card to a store like Borders or Applebee's and a hand written note expressing my gratefulness for their time in writing the evaluations/recommendations. I believe that thanking them prior to admission into a given LS would be premature and seemingly out of turn although I doubt they'd be offended. I can see them asking, "So where'd you get into?" Just to avoid that alone, I'd say wait.

User avatar
mths

Silver
Posts: 1098
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:24 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by mths » Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:02 am

HowdyYall wrote:MY SITUATION IS SO AWKWARD; i have literally seen my recommender 8-9 times since he wrote my letter in august.
I worked with mine in a lab. Why is that awkward?

User avatar
awahoya

Bronze
Posts: 190
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 3:57 am

Re: Thank You Letters to LORs (When?)

Post by awahoya » Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:02 am

I'm abroad in a country that loves little gifts (Japan), so buying/sending each something small and super regional (fans made/dyed in my area, letters written on handmade paper from my area)

Seriously? What are you waiting for?

Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!


Post Reply

Return to “Law School Admissions Forum”