Thank You Gifts for LOR Writers?

[Bopie5]

I had four professors that I've had multi-year relationships with write LORs for me for my PhD grad apps. I want to write them all thank you notes and get them each a small gift, but I have no idea what to do! Obviously I'm a poor undergrad student with limited funds, but I do want to do something to show my appreciation for their time and energy...any suggestions?

[placeinspace]

3 minutes ago, Bopie5 said:

I had four professors that I've had multi-year relationships with write LORs for me for my PhD grad apps. I want to write them all thank you notes and get them each a small gift, but I have no idea what to do! Obviously I'm a poor undergrad student with limited funds, but I do want to do something to show my appreciation for their time and energy...any suggestions?

Someone from last year had suggested sending a pen from the school they decided to attend, which is what I'm going to do. A small gift but probably very useful to an academic, and thoughtful!

[havemybloodchild]

That is such a good idea, kgras13!

Last year I made a gift basket of cheetos and wine for my advisor, who helped me with an LOR, my SoP, and my WS.  Cheetos are her favorite snack, haha.  

This year I think I'll do the pen idea...provided I get into a program!

[ASDadvocate]

On 12/13/2018 at 1:16 PM, kgras13 said:

Someone from last year had suggested sending a pen from the school they decided to attend, which is what I'm going to do. A small gift but probably very useful to an academic, and thoughtful!

I really like this! Thanks for the idea!

[NuclearBlebs]

The pen idea is awesome! I decided to bake some holiday treats for my LOR writers. The baking helps keep me busy while I'm waiting to hear back and sweets are pretty hard to turn down. 

[bloome]

For one of my LOR writers and my favorite professor, I bought her a book written by an author she introduced us to in class and wrote a nice thank you note on the inside cover! 

[dilby]

When I graduated in 2017, I got each of my thesis advisors (now LOR writers) an art print + reasonably priced frame, and wrote each of them a thank you card. I like the idea of a gift that can stick around as a reminder of the work we did together.

[Indecisive Poet]

Just wondering, and I think I know the answer to this but want to check in anyway: is this something that is expected and that profs will be offended by if one does not do?