<p>So I got into many wonderful universities this competitive year, largely in part because of the help of others: teachers with their recommendations, guidance counselors, school administration, etc. I truly respect what they have done for me in these past four years and would like to extend a token of appreciation. How should I go about doing this for my recommendation writers and guidance counselors? What about the school as a whole. Any ideas. By the way, I think that my teachers deserve more than just a thank you note.</p>
<p>A well written, personalized thank you note is likely to valued much more than anything you could buy the professionals who helped you along your way.</p>
<p>My DD gave her women recommenders each a pretty terracotta pot of fresh flowering annuals that we put together from the nursery, ready for the patio. For the men, we loaded up a large gift bag full of Whole Food treats, depending on the teacher’s preference. (One teacher specified he wanted a case of Sam Adams, so parent dutifully snuck in the gift-wrapped case to his room.) </p>
<p>The teachers appreciated the goods, as well as the notes, as they are so terribly underpaid.</p>
<p>“A well written, personalized thank you note is likely to valued much more than anything you could buy the professionals who helped you along your way.”</p>
<p>As a person who has mentored lots of students, helping them get internships, college and graduate acceptances, jobs, etc. I agree that a well, written, personalized thank-you is the very best way to acknowledge how someone has helped you reach your dreams.</p>
<p>I have kept every such note from students and mentees. I treasure those notes.</p>
<p>I also treasure follow-up letters and notes from students telling me about their experiences with the opportunity that I helped them get, and thanking me again for opening up their world.</p>