Sally_Rubenstone

I have been fortunate enough to be accepted to several colleges. Is it customary for students to thank their teachers who wrote them their recommendations? If so, how should I return their favors of writing my rec letters? Is it normally a card, letter, a small gift? What would be sufficient to let them know [...]

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Ny0rker

i have a question, should I do a formal thank you to teachers who wrote me a recommendation for a summer program? if so, what do you suggest?

endlessrecession

Its always appropriate to thank anyone for writing you a recommendation. Depending on the nature of your relationship with that teacher and his/her personality, an in person thank you may suffice, or a formal thank you note. I think "gifts" are entirely inappropriate and would most likely be offensive to the teacher. It reeks of quid pro quo.

The best way to thank a teacher in my opinion is to go to college, stay out of trouble (no drinking) and come home after your complete freshman year with stellar grades. Then visit your teacher before high school lets out and tell them how well you did. They all want to know that their recommendation was the best predictor of your success.

lindz126

my son's calc bc teacher gave him a great rec letter and personally talked with me to make his own recommendations about a path for my son. my son wanted to thank this man for his going above and beyond and gave him a book he knew he'd love. by the time my son was home for winter break this year this teacher had died. he was glad he had shown him then how he valued who he was. we don't always get to go back to tell someone years later how they impacted our lives...

Little Mother

Both kids gave small potted flowering plants to their GCs, the secretaries in the guidance office (who made sure everything got sent in time), and the teachers who provided letters of recommendation. They really liked receiving something that would continue to remind them of the kids.

bluebubbles

I gave my teachers a handwritten "thank you" note and a box of chocolates. I think the chocolate is only appropriate in more informal settings and if you actually know your teachers quite well, which is the case at my teeny tiny high school. Make sure you also follow up by telling them the application results and ask for their opinions about what college to pick. My teachers, from what I could tell, really liked that I asked them for their opinions.

100pcCharlotte

what summer program are you talking about?

ThaRussian

my teachers are cool, and I still talk to them whenever I see them in the hallways, so I just told them "thank you", no notes or gifts, but that's just because some of my teachers are almost like friends to me

shayonsaleh

I gave my teachers a small card and a small box of chocolates. It's kind of the normal thing at my school.

kate10662

I gave my teacher's a thank you card and plate of homemade cookies.

hurricane317

We gave teachers a card with a gift card to their favorite coffee house

Son of Opie

Ditto on the card and cookies. Making them yourself is important, in my opinion.

mafool

A written note thanking them for their time and interest is important, I think.

Lophotrochozoa

Definitely thank your teachers. Since my school was really small and close knit, I thanked them all in person, and let them know whenever I got accepted into college, because I'm sure they want to know that their recommendations went to good use!

Greenery

A thank you note and beautiful flowers.