Thank you cards for rejections?

[coffeecoffeebuzzbuzz]

Ok, odd question...but do you send a thank you card or email if:

1) you are rejected after an interview

2) you decide not to apply after all (preemptive rejection of a person/program)

3) you are accepted but decide to go elsewhere

4) you are accepted and that is where you decide to go

5) all of the above?

Edited December 15, 2010 by coffeecoffeebuzzbuzz

[m.giugno]

Ok, odd question...but do you send a thank you card or email if:

1) you are rejected after an interview

2) you decide not to apply after all (preemptive rejection of a person/program)

3) you are accepted but decide to go elsewhere

4) you are accepted and that is where you decide to go

5) all of the above?

No 1-2

Yes 3-4

my two cents.

[repatriate]

Number 5. The professors you meet are your future colleagues. Better to begin your professional relationships with courtesy, forthrightness, and graciousness.

[rising_star]

Always send a thank you note. You'll see those people again at conferences and don't want to have made a bad impression.

[laurend]

If you are invited for an interview, you should send thank you's after that regardless of what you believe the outcome will be! Not only is it polite, but it lets them know you had a good time and are excited about their program. I don't see the point in sending thank yous if you decide not to apply somewhere. I guess a note to a POI you spoke to about the program is fine, but not a "thank you" per se.

[newms]

I agree with sending a thank you note for all 4 situations - in fact after an interview don't wait for their decision to send the thank you, just drop them a thank you email after the interview.

[katerific]

Yup, send a thank you note in each situation. It's not like there's any disadvantage to sending one, anyway. Also, you'll definitely see these people around (as noted already). It's definitely good to be polite and make a good impression, especially since you might even apply for post doc positions with them in the future.