Letting Recommenders Know Admissions results

[40404]

Did you let your recommenders know admissions results? Are we obliged to do so? I mean one of my recommenders is my boss so I told him but my former professors I don't see very often...

[fuzzylogician]

I'm planning to send each of my letter writes hand-written thank you notes (and maybe a small present) as soon as I decide which school to attend. I haven't been in touch with some of them for a while now since I've moved away and don't get to see them anymore, but I know from talking to profs at the different schools I recently visited that they have asked about my status when they met colleagues from those schools at conferences, etc. They've all been incredibly helpful and supportive and I want to make sure that they know how much I appreciate it.

Are we obliged to do so?

You're not obliged, but I think it's common courtesy to thank your recommenders and let them know how the process turned out for you. After all, they did invest quite a bit of time and effort on your behalf.

[highered_3]

Did you let your recommenders know admissions results? Are we obliged to do so? I mean one of my recommenders is my boss so I told him but my former professors I don't see very often...

I don't think you have to, but it would probably be nice. I'm sure they'd like to know if you got in anywhere, since they took the time to write you a letter.

My recommenders all happen to be Facebook friends with me, so they all have seen my ecstatic (and bummed) status updates and I think know generally how it's going. But I just bought them each a bottle of one of my family's favorite Chilean merlots, and will be shipping them as gifts, along with a personal thank-you letter. I mean, keep in mind I'm also pretty close with my recommenders (that would be weird for two profs and one intern supervisor to be my Facebook friends otherwise, I think...haha) so I know alcohol is appropriate in all their cases, and plus they all did so much for me besides writing letters that I wanted to give them a gift just because.

But I think a personal note, even just a small little notecard, would probably be really appreciated by your recommenders!

[sparkle456]

Maybe it depends on how close you are to your profs, but yes, I am sure they would love to find out!! Maybe I'm a bit out of the norm, I've been sending the 2 that I am closest to, everything I find out as soon as I find out.

So, obliged? no, i agree with the previous post, but i'm sure they like to know so they can gloat! and so they can also have an idea of the caliber of programs that their students get into. that can help them advise students for years to come.

[baimeeker]

The two recommenders at my school see me all the time, and so they know about everything. However, I am on a first name basis with my other recommender. I have been sending all three of them e-mails to let them know how it's going. I think it would be harder to send the e-mails if I was not doing so well though...

[HisRoyalHighness]

I did so as soon as I knew. Then I asked for advice on which program to pick. Most professors I know in my field are interested in staying touch with students pursuing advanced degrees.

[Stories]

I let all my professors know once I had made a decision. I think it's a courtesy, especially if you're tight with them. They definitely love to hear about your progress especially since they trained you in preparation for your PhD work.