Residency Interview Thank You Email: Rules and Examples

Should you send a thank-you email?

Only if your program and specialty allow it. Check two places before you write anything.

• The program's own instructions. Look at the interview invitation, the interview day slides and the program website. If a program asks for no thank-you notes, do not send one.
• Your specialty's guide. Program director associations have published 2027 guides for applicants in 31 specialties and tracks, with guidance on post-interview communication. The table above covers 12 of them.
• When it is allowed. The AAMC's advice is to thank the program director and key faculty, unless the program asks you not to.
• Not sure? The AAFP suggests asking your resident point of contact whether the program wants thank-you notes.

When to send it, to whom, and how long

Short and soon beats long and late.

• When. Within a day or two. The AAFP advises sending it shortly after the interview, since waiting a long time can make it seem like you forgot.
• To whom. Each faculty member who interviewed you, and the program director if you met. Send separate emails, not one email with everyone copied.
• How long. About 75 to 150 words: thanks, one specific detail, one line of interest.
• Email or card. Email is fine. The AAFP says most residencies receive thank-you notes by email.

What to write

Make it clear you were in the room. One real detail does that.

• Subject line. "Thank you: [Program name] interview, [date]."
• One specific detail. Something the interviewer said, a resident you met or a part of the program that stood out.
• One line of interest. Say you are excited about the program. Do not promise a rank you have not decided.
• Sign-off. Your full name and medical school, plus your AAMC ID if you applied through ERAS, so the program can find your file.
• Write it yourself. The AAFP warns against AI writing tools, which tend to produce bland notes.

Three example emails

These are examples we wrote. Change every detail to match your own interview.

What NRMP rules say about post-interview communication

Every applicant in the Main Residency Match signs the Match Participation Agreement when registering. The 2027 agreement and NRMP's Codes of Conduct set these rules.

• You may express interest. Applicants "may voluntarily communicate their interest to a program(s)."
• You may not ask about your ranking. You may not ask a program for a statement implying it will rank you, or ask anyone on the recruitment team about its ranking intentions.
• Programs may not ask you to commit. Programs may not ask for statements implying a commitment to rank them, ask how you will rank, or ask where else you applied or interviewed.
• Programs may not require a note. Programs may not say your place on their list depends on a statement of your preference, and must not solicit or require post-interview communication to influence your ranking.
• The Match is the binding part. The binding commitment comes from the Match: if you match, you must accept the position unless NRMP grants a waiver.
• Be honest. You are responsible for the accuracy of everything you tell programs, written or spoken. So never tell two programs they are your first choice.

Programs and specialties that do not want thank-you notes

Some specialties ask you not to send them at all. Follow that, even if it feels rude.

• Dermatology. Its guide says thank-you letters and letters of intent "should not be sent to programs."
• Integrated plastic surgery. Its guide says post-interview communication is against ACEPS policy and should not be done.
• Internal medicine. AAIM recommends that programs tell interviewees not to send thank-you notes and to ask clarifying questions instead.
• Allowed, but no reply. Urology programs should not respond to thank-you notes, and family medicine and anesthesiology programs may not respond.

After you send it

Expect no reply, and do not follow up to ask for one.

• Updates are fine. Pediatrics lists application updates, such as a new publication or award, as an accepted reason to contact a program.
• Letters of intent are a separate step. Pediatrics says they are not expected and, if sent, should go to only one program. Family medicine discourages them.
• Keep it to one email. Repeated messages add pressure without adding information.

Frequently asked questions