It’s time to thank your recommenders.
College and business-school applicants, it’s time to learn to write a thank-you note. The samples below will help you complete this task before it’s time for turkey—or tofu.
Across the United States this Thursday, people will gather to give thanks for the many blessings we have enjoyed this past year.
If you have come this far, you can probably remember a teacher or supervisor who gave you a chance when you were not doing so well, or who gave you special encouragement when you needed it most.
College applicants and MBA candidates, wherever you live, today is as good a time as any to thank the people who have helped you with your applications.
Don’t just think. Write.
If you don’t yet have a lot of experience writing thank-you notes, just remember that the main phrase is “thank you.” Don’t spend an hour chewing your pencil, agonizing over what to write, or whether to send a handwritten note or email. It’s more important to get the letter out.
You’ve spent a lot of time lately struggling to put your thoughts and feelings into words for your application essays. This is less complicated. You can adjust the model letters below to suit the situation.
Your sincerity will show in the details you supply.
College Applicants
Here’s a model text you can adapt for each of your teachers, or your school counselor.
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Soandso,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for me. I really appreciate your help with my college applications and your support of my plans for a career in business/data science/other.
(Now add a detail about your teacher or your class.) I will always remember your class on ________, especially what I learned about ______.
(If you are writing to your school counselor, add a different kind of detail.) Thank you for talking with me about colleges and universities, and helping me keep organized.
I will be sure to let you know how things work out.
Kind regards,
Your Name
Business-School Candidates
Letters of support for your MBA applications require careful assessment of the particulars of the accomplishments your recommender has witnessed. These details are what justify an evaluation.
A recommender typically feels committed to your success. It is important to acknowledge that support, as well as the time it took to compose and submit the letter.
Yes, the Common Letter of Recommendation has streamlined the process somewhat. Still, your recommender may have tailored letters to particular schools, or even had to rewrite letters in the format required for each program.
The time it takes to reflect on someone else’s career path and do one’s best to help the young person along the way is considerable. Show your appreciation with an equally thoughtful thank-you letter. Here’s an example.
Dear Dr. Somebody,
I am sincerely grateful for your support as I apply for an MBA. (Here add details about anything they may have done to help you decide on schools, introduce you to alumni of the program they attended, given you a break at work, or done anything beyond writing the letter.)
Thank you for taking the time to write the letters of recommendation. I know the letter for NameOfSchool was particularly detailed/demanding. I have received confirmation that each of the letters has arrived.
Most of all, I appreciate your interest in my future. (Add any details here.) I will be sure to let you know what develops as the application season progresses.
Kind regards,
Your Name
And while we’re talking about thank-you notes
Here’s one for you!
Dear Readers,
We would like to thank each and every one of you for giving us your time, your attention, your comments and suggestions for new topics to cover.
Your myriad interests keep us informed and excited about the world of business education as it is today, rather than as it may have been when we were applying to university. Thank you for keeping us focussed on the future.
And thank you for following! The link is below.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marlena Corcoran