Thanking recommenders, gifts?

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Candd82026

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Hi. Not sure where to post this and searched for a similar topic but probably didn't use the right keywords.

Regardless of the result of the academy application, how did you thank your recommenders and other people who helped such as school counselor? DS is our first college/academy applicant so no experience at all on what's the proper appreciative gesture: Letter? Gift card? Etc.

He sent an advance thank you cover letter when he requested his recommenders and counselor for help. But we felt they were so supportive and helpful we should do more?
 
That’s all an incredibly personal choice. Whatever feels right and comfortable to the student (not mom and dad). Keep in mind, that educators/administrators do this for every and any of their students. They are potentially not as over the moon excited as mom and dad about all of this. ALL of their students achieving their goal is something they celebrate and share in their excitement. Or at least that’s how it should be.

They may not be as interested in acknowledgment as you are. Personally, I think a nice thank you note is perfect. Or a memento from the SA (or any college a student applies to).

Applying to a SA requires a great deal of support and cooperation from staff/admin. Absolutely. It’s got to be one of the highlights of that profession. To see ‘your kids’ achieve their dreams. Bless them for all they do for our students. It takes a village. So thankful!
 
Candd82026 said:
Hi. Not sure where to post this and searched for a similar topic but probably didn't use the right keywords.

Regardless of the result of the academy application, how did you thank your recommenders and other people who helped such as school counselor? DS is our first college/academy applicant so no experience at all on what's the proper appreciative gesture: Letter? Gift card? Etc.

He sent an advance thank you cover letter when he requested his recommenders and counselor for help. But we felt they were so supportive and helpful we should do more?
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My DD got an outstanding letter of recommendation from her English teacher so she gave him an academy flag. He’s had on his wall at school ever since.
 
As someone who’s provided recommendations and assessments for both colleagues and students, I believe the most meaningful and genuine display of appreciation is a thoughtful, personalized, hand-written note of thanks. No gift or other physical token can ever match that. The fact that few people bother to take this step makes it even more special.
 
Thank you all for the helpful suggestions. I think a handwritten note will be good and a small flag/banner from his eventual school sounds appropriate. DS wanted to buy gift cards or some Costco gift items but I wasn't sure if that was a good idea. I'm glad I asked here.

DS will only be the second student from his school to go to an SA, if all goes well. The first was an enlisted navy service woman who's now in her second year in USNA.
 
Candd82026 said:
Thank you all for the helpful suggestions. I think a handwritten note will be good and a small flag/banner from his eventual school sounds appropriate. DS wanted to buy gift cards or some Costco gift items but I wasn't sure if that was a good idea. I'm glad I asked here.

DS will only be the second student from his school to go to an SA, if all goes well. The first was an enlisted navy service woman who's now in her second year in USNA.
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Down the road, assuming a USNA appointment, your DS can come back to the school and others in the area, to give presentations and talk about USNA as part of Operation Info (OPINFO), where sophomore and more senior midshipmen in good standing get to leave early for Thanksgiving break. He can talk about those who helped him, which will be guaranteed to bring a tear to any teacher’s eye as they watch the kid they knew stand tall in his service dress blue uniform as a young adult. An aspirational goal!
 
Wow, I didn’t know there are programs like that. That's a good community outreach. In my area, there's an Armed Forces recruitment office which sent some enlisted members to present. But no one from any SA, so it's relatively unknown to DS' peers and younger students. While a couple of kids from years past have enlisted, no one seems to be aware that SAs could be a great path to success. It was somewhat accidental that DS found out about USMA, he got a postcard for SLE in 2020 and got selected to attend the virtual SLE in 2021. Then he continued to apply and also looked at USAFA.
 
I will tell DS, I'm sure he'd be excited about the possibility of presenting in our school district and thanking his school supporters as part of the presentation.
 
Candd82026 said:
Wow, I didn’t know there are programs like that. That's a good community outreach. In my area, there's an Armed Forces recruitment office which sent some enlisted members to present. But no one from any SA, so it's relatively unknown to DS' peers and younger students. While a couple of kids from years past have enlisted, no one seems to be aware that SAs could be a great path to success. It was somewhat accidental that DS found out about USMA, he got a postcard for SLE in 2020 and got selected to attend the virtual SLE in 2021. Then he continued to apply and also looked at USAFA.
Click to expand...
Guidance counselor could call USNA Admissions to discuss/request.
 
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