Thank You Gift for LOR

[Anonymous]

I was curious if it is okay for my son to give his teachers that wrote recommendations a thank you card with a gift card after he receives a letter of recommendation from them for college. We wanted to give them a gift card to thank them for their time and will give it after the letter has been submitted so it doesn't influence the letter of recommendation. Wanted to know thoughts on if this is inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Personal opinion here is that a gift card is inappropriate at this time. I would only have them write a thank you note. However at the end of senior year, when all of the college stuff was in the rear view mirror, mine wrote a second thank you to each and then included a gift card, bc these were teachers that not only wrote LORs but who they appreciated overall (they did that for other teachers as well).

[Anonymous]

Senior at FCPS high school. He recently gave his teachers a thank you note with a gift card after they submitted their LOR. The gift was a $15 amazon card.

[Anonymous]

LOR came from mentor/teacher. Such an important guy in my kids life. Nothing given at time of letter (other than note from my kid to him), but I sent wine after graduation. Nothing said about college or letter, just a TY note about how he made the high school years such a meaningful experience for my kid

[Anonymous]

Note after application submitted, gift at graduation

[Anonymous]

My three children all wrote thank you cards and included a pen
from the college they chose to attend. Everyone can use a pen. It’s a token gift and when they use it, maybe they’ll think of the student. Every college gift store has inexpensive pens - $10 for a package of three or four pens with the college name/logo on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personal opinion here is that a gift card is inappropriate at this time. I would only have them write a thank you note. However at the end of senior year, when all of the college stuff was in the rear view mirror, mine wrote a second thank you to each and then included a gift card, bc these were teachers that not only wrote LORs but who they appreciated overall (they did that for other teachers as well).

How much was included on the gift card?

[Anonymous]

$50 Amazon gift card for each recommender along with a thank you letter. My son's teachers and guidance counselor were so touched. These letters take time -- lets honor the folks that so generously help our students gain admission to college.

[Anonymous]

Note of appreciation (handwritten) when letter was written. Insulated coffee travel mug from the college they were attending once they had committed.

[Anonymous]

No one wants a pen or mug from your kids’ school.

[Anonymous]

No, that would not be appropriate.

It is part of their job.

[Anonymous]

We gave a $100 Amazon gift card to each of the recommenders after the college acceptances were announced.

[Anonymous]

$15 Amazon gift card PP here. Some of the gift card amounts seem quite large. Are you $50-100 givers at private school or public? In the DC region?

Or am I just out of touch with the appropriate amount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, that would not be appropriate.

It is part of their job.

Maybe it's not appropriate, but it is certainly NOT a part of the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$15 Amazon gift card PP here. Some of the gift card amounts seem quite large. Are you $50-100 givers at private school or public? In the DC region?

Or am I just out of touch with the appropriate amount.

We are the $100 givers: in the DC area, public school. It's just my way to share with the hardworking individuals who aren't paid much: we rarely donate to charities but give larger tips and gift cards instead.