Medical School Interview Thank You Email Guide + Examples

You’re gearing up for the medical school application cycle, and the list of things to get right feels endless: personal statement, secondaries, MCAT, letters of recommendation. But there’s one small detail that even the most prepared applicants often overlook and undervalue: the medical school interview thank you email.

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This article breaks down exactly how to write a medical school interview thank you email that actually leaves a mark. You’ll learn why it matters more than you think, who to send it to, what to say (and what to never say), and when to hit send. We’ll also walk through examples that work, mistakes that kill your chances, and pro-tips to help you approach this like a future doctor.

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Get your free resource here.

Why This Email Matters More Than You Think

Let me be blunt: the thank you email isn’t just polite. It’s strategic.

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Most premeds treat it like an afterthought. A checkbox. Something you send because you’re “supposed to.” But here’s the truth they don’t tell you: that email can be the last impression you leave on an interviewer before a final decision is made. And in a pile of 7,000 applicants, impressions matter.

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AdComs often review multiple strong applicants with similar metrics and experiences. In those moments, a thoughtful, well-crafted thank you email can reinforce a positive impression. It signals professionalism, maturity, and genuine interest in the program, which are qualities that are essential in future physicians.

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More importantly, it shows respect. The interviewer took time out of their clinical or academic schedule to evaluate and engage with an applicant. A personalized thank you acknowledges that effort and demonstrates emotional intelligence, which is another quality AdComs want to see.

Who to Email (And Who To Skip)

Not every person you meet on interview day needs a thank you email. The key is knowing who actually influences admissions decisions and who’s simply part of the logistics.

Email:

• Your interviewer(s): Always. Whether it was a faculty member, physician, admissions dean, or even a student interviewer—if they sat down and evaluated you, they should get a thank you.
  
  
• Panel interviewers: Send a separate, personalized email to each person if names and roles were provided. Don’t send a group email unless that’s how they were introduced.
  
  
• Student hosts (if involved in your stay): If they spent time showing you around or answering questions, a short thank you goes a long way, especially if they’re part of admissions or will report back.
  
  

Skip:

• Front-desk staff or logistics coordinators: Unless someone went out of their way to help you (e.g., resolving a scheduling issue), it’s not expected.
  
  
• General admissions email: If no specific person interviewed you, and you were part of a group MMI or virtual session, it’s better to send a brief, professional message to the admissions office rather than skip it altogether. But avoid emailing generic addresses unless it’s your only option.

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Bottom line: thank the people who took the time to assess your fit for their school. That’s the impression that will stick when decisions are made.

When to Hit Send

Timing matters. A thank you email should land while the conversation is still fresh in the interviewer’s mind, but not so fast that it feels automated or impersonal.

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Don’t send it immediately after the interview ends.

Sending an email within an hour can come off as rushed or generic. It raises the question of whether the message was written in advance, with little reflection on the actual conversation.

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Aim for 12 to 48 hours after the interview.

This gives you enough time to process the experience, personalize your message, and still hit their inbox while you’re top of mind. A well-crafted email the next morning or later that evening is ideal.

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Wait no longer than 72 hours.

Beyond that, the opportunity to make a lasting impression starts to fade, and the email risks feeling like an afterthought.

Anatomy of a Good Medical School Interview Thank You Email

A thank you email isn’t just about saying "thanks." It’s a strategic follow-up that reinforces your professionalism, maturity, and genuine interest. A great message hits all the right notes without sounding rehearsed or overdone. 

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Here’s what that actually looks like:

A Subject Line That Doesn’t Suck

Your subject line should be clear, respectful, and easy to find later. Avoid anything vague or overly casual like, “Thank you!” or “Follow-up.” Instead, try:

• “Thank You – [Your Name], Interview on [Date]”
• “Appreciation for Our Conversation – [Your Name]”
• “Follow-up on Our Interview – [Medical School Name]”
  
  

This is your first impression. Make it polished and searchable.

Salutation (Use Their Name)

Always start with a formal greeting using their name and title:

• “Dear Dr. Smith,”
• “Hello Professor Johnson,”
  
  

Avoid “Hi” or “Hey,” and never skip the name unless it truly wasn’t given. If it was a student interviewer, use their full name if you’re unsure about titles.

Gratitude Without Groveling

Thank them for their time, energy, and insights just once. That's all it takes. 

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Skip the over-the-top language (“I’m eternally grateful” or “It was the greatest honor of my life”). Instead, keep it respectful and mature:

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“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the program at [School Name]. I appreciated your insights on…”

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Short, sincere, and confident.

Callback to the Conversation

Mention something specific that came up during the interview, like a topic, a shared interest, or something they said that stuck with you. This shows that you were engaged, that you listened, and that you’re not sending a generic email to everyone.

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“I especially enjoyed our conversation about rural healthcare access. It gave me a lot to think about, and only deepened my interest in the school’s mission.”

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This is what turns a routine thank you into a memorable one.

Reaffirm Your Desire

One sentence. That’s all you need to reinforce your enthusiasm for the school. It’s not about begging; it’s about reaffirming alignment:

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“Our conversation only strengthened my interest in joining the incoming class at [School Name].”

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Direct, mature, and focused.

Close Like a Professional

Finish clean. No “Thanks again!!!” or “Fingers crossed!” Keep it tight and respectful:

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“Thank you again for your time and for the opportunity to interview.
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[AAMC ID – optional]”

Avoid emojis, fancy fonts, or overly casual language. This is still a professional interaction, so treat it like one.

Thank You Email Examples That Actually Work

The following are real thank you emails that have been sent by applicants to medical schools.

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Each one reflects the principles outlined above: specific, professional, and sincere. Use these as inspiration, not scripts, to craft your own message that feels authentic to you.

Example 1

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me during my interview today. It was an absolute pleasure to learn more about your perspective on medicine and hear your insights about the unique opportunities available at CCLCM, especially for someone interested in neurology.

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I especially appreciated our discussion on the importance of mentorship in medical training. I also share your enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with so many patients facing rare and complex conditions, especially when guided by the very top specialists in the country. It is clear to me that you think very highly of your colleagues and students, and I strongly believe that is the most genuine compliment you could give the program. Additionally, your comparison between the healthcare systems in Lebanon and the U.S. further deepened my appreciation for the diversity of approaches and the importance of tailoring care to the needs of vulnerable populations. In my experience volunteering at our primary care clinic, I’ve learned how important it is to take patients’ financial wellbeing into consideration when ordering tests—especially since nearly half of our patients are uninsured.

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Finally, I want to thank you for your thoughtful travel recommendations for my upcoming trip to Cleveland this February. I’m excited to explore the Museum of Art, attend an orchestra performance, and, if weather permits, enjoy the Peninsula! Your advice has made me even more eager to visit. Thank you again for your time, guidance, and inspiration. I hope to have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside you in the future and will be sure to connect with you again if given the opportunity to attend.

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Example 2

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‭ Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview me yesterday. I greatly enjoyed the‬

‭ insightful conversations we had on the numerous and diverse clinical opportunities UCLA‬

‭ provides for its medical students.‬

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‭ I really enjoyed learning about the strong engagement opportunities DGSOM provides for its‬ students, like the mobile clinics and partnerships with local organizations. I also appreciated‬

‭ the advice you provided in seeking guidance through the societies program and creating‬

‭ projects that would uplift the Los Angeles community.‬

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‭ I know our time was cut short due to time constraints, but I wanted to ask you a question‬

‭ regarding your experience at UCLA-Harbor. Besides being an excellent academic center,‬

‭ UCLA-Harbor is the safety net hospital for the South Bay, the community I want to serve as a‬

‭ physician. What service opportunities are available for medical students to work in this‬ context, and in your experience, what is the best way to get involved with this medical center? 

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Additionally, I was interested in the documentary you mentioned about the athlete‬

‭ who suffered an SCI, and I am hoping to get the name of that documentary so I can watch it.‬

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Coming into the interview, I viewed UCLA DGSOM as my top choice medical school‬ because of its impact on the community I grew up in and the mentorship available to‬ students to grow into physicians and community leaders. My interview today strengthened my interest in the program as I learned about more clinical, service, and research opportunities available for medical students to achieve their goals. Once again, thank you‬ and I hope you have a great rest of your week.‬

‭Example 3

Thank you for taking the time to interview me as a potential candidate for the Geisel School

of Medicine.

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I thoroughly enjoyed our thought-provoking discussions on contemporary healthcare issues

that impact the American healthcare system. Thank you for sharing with me the creative

strategies you have developed to enhance the quality of public health through your roles at

Geisel and as a hospital administrator. Our talk gave me a great perspective on tangible

actions a physician can take to create meaningful changes in the community. Thank you for

allowing me to share my own background and experiences growing up in an underserved

community that fuels my desire to become a community-based physician.

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During our conversations, I learned a great deal about the tight-knit community, strong

research, and longitudinal service opportunities that would help me thrive as a physician and

community advocate. Thank you once again, and I hope you have a great day.

Common Mistakes (And Why They’re Fatal)

Most applicants don’t mess up by forgetting to send a thank you email. They mess up by sending a bad one. These mistakes might seem minor, but in a hyper-competitive process, they can quietly cost you. 

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Here’s what to avoid, and why it matters:

1. Copy-Paste Emails

Sending the same generic message to every interviewer isn’t efficient. It’s lazy. Interviewers can tell when they’re reading a template. It signals a lack of effort and low emotional intelligence, two things AdComs don’t want in future doctors.

Fix: Personalize each message. Reference the actual conversation.

2. Over-Apologizing or Over-Thanking

Writing “thank you” five times in one paragraph doesn’t make you look grateful. It makes you look insecure. Same goes for saying things like “I hope I didn’t talk too much” or “I’m sorry if my answers weren’t clear.”

Fix: One clear, confident thank you is enough, and don’t undermine yourself.

3. Typos and Grammar Errors

This is a dealbreaker. A sloppy email makes it seem like you either rushed it or didn’t care enough to proofread. Either way, it reflects poorly, especially for a profession that demands precision.

Fix: Read it out loud. Run spellcheck. Double-check names and titles.

4. Getting the Name or School Wrong

It happens more often than you think, especially if you’re copying from another draft. Mixing up school names, misspelling your interviewer’s name, or addressing the wrong title (“Dr.” vs “Mr.”) can be embarrassing and fatal.

Fix: Triple check. Mistakes in names pretty much equal an automatic red flag.

5. Writing Too Much

A thank you email is not a second personal statement. You’re not trying to resell yourself or re-answer interview questions. Long-winded emails feel desperate and miss the point.

Fix: Keep it short. Three to five sentences keeps it clear but thoughtful.

6. Skipping It Altogether

Some applicants assume the interview went well and don’t bother with a follow-up. Big mistake. Silence reads as disinterest. If two equally qualified candidates are compared, the one who followed up professionally leaves the stronger impression.

Fix: Always send a thank you. No exceptions.

Pro-Tips for Medical School Interview Thank You Emails

These aren't the basics. These are the habits that separate a solid email from a standout one. If you're aiming to leave a lasting impression, these details matter:

• Use the interviewer’s exact title and spelling.
  Double-check their name from the interview invitation or school's website. Sloppy or incorrect titles (e.g., calling a PhD "MD") can quietly sabotage your professionalism.
  
  
• Reference something unique to the school.
  Mention a program, value, or opportunity that genuinely excites you. It shows you did your homework and aren’t sending the same email to every school.
  
  
• Echo their language.
  If your interviewer emphasized certain values (like “team-based learning” or “serving the underserved”), subtly mirror that language. It shows you were listening and that your values align.
  
  
• Don’t send from your phone.
  Mobile emails are more prone to typos, formatting issues, and casual tone. Draft it on a laptop. Format it like a business email, not a text.
  
  
• Sign off like a future physician.
  Use a clean, professional closing like “Warm regards,” “Sincerely,” or “All the best.” Include your full name and, optionally, your AAMC ID at the bottom.
  
  
• Save a copy of what you sent.
  It’s smart to keep a record, especially if you get a second interview or meet the same person again. You don’t want to forget what you already said.
  
  
• If you don’t have their email, ask politely.
  Contact the admissions office and say: “Would it be appropriate to send a thank you to my interviewer? If so, may I have their contact information?” Schools appreciate the initiative.
  
  

Medical School Interview Thank You Email FAQ

What if I don’t get a response?

Don’t take it personally, and definitely don’t follow up again. Interviewers are busy clinicians and faculty; many don’t respond at all, even if they appreciated your message. The thank you email is about professionalism and closing the loop, not starting a back-and-forth.

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Send it. Leave it. Move on.

Do I still send one if the interview didn’t go well?

Yes, you should especially send a thank you email for an interview that doesn’t go well. One rough moment doesn’t mean the interview was a failure, and the thank you email can help recover poise and professionalism. It shows maturity, emotional regulation, and respect for the process. All things that matter more than a perfect answer.

What if I don’t remember details from the interview?

Then keep it simple and sincere. Don’t fake specifics. Instead, reference your appreciation for their time, their role at the school, or something general about the conversation that felt meaningful. It’s better to be brief and honest than awkwardly specific and wrong.

Can I add humor or is it meant to be serious?

Keep it professional. A subtle, appropriate tone of warmth is fine, but jokes, memes, or sarcasm are risky at best. If you’re even slightly unsure, leave it out. This isn’t the place to test your comedic timing.

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When in doubt: be gracious, not clever.

Should I include updates or extra materials?

No. The thank you email is not the place for adding new documents, updates, or “just one more thing” you forgot to mention. If you have a significant update (e.g., a new publication or award), send that in a separate, formal update email through the proper admissions channel.

Entering the Application Cycle? See What Stands Out to AdComs

The hardest part of applying to med school isn’t just doing the work. It’s not knowing if what you’re doing is good enough. You’ve got your personal statement, your MCAT score, your shadowing hours, your secondaries. But none of it guarantees anything if you’re not thinking like an AdCom.

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If you want to stop guessing and start modeling what actually works, we’ve built a free resource to help you do exactly that. The Premed Catalyst Application Database gives you access to 8 full AMCAS applications that got real acceptances from top-tier schools like UCLA and UCI. 

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These aren’t cherry-picked highlights. You get to see everything, including activities, personal statements, and more. You’ll even get access to the application that got me into UCLA.

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Get your free resource here.