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18 July 2025

5 minutes read

How to Write a Thank You Letter for Letter of Recommendation: A Guide for Indian Students

Dirghayu Kaushik
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Dirghayu Kaushik

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Founder & CEO

Dirghayu Kaushik is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitio. He started this platform because he’s been in your shoes—navigating confusing websites, second-guessing college choices, and trying to make sense of what actually matters in an application. A graduate of IIT BHU, Dirghayu combines personal experience with data-backed guidance to help students apply smarter. Whether it’s choosing the right course, building a standout profile, or writing essays that don’t feel forced, his mission is simple: to make getting into your dream university less overwhelming, and a little more honest.

18 July 2025

5 minutes read

LOR

Key Takeaways:

  • Thank you letter for letter of recommendation enhances your professional relationships and shows appreciation for your recommender’s time and effort.
  • Personalizing your note by mentioning specific details strengthens the impact of your gratitude.
  • Sending a thank-you note promptly, whether handwritten or via email, leaves a lasting impression and showcases professionalism.

A well-crafted thank you letter for a letter of recommendation is a powerful way to express gratitude. Indian students often overlook this gesture, missing an opportunity to reinforce a professional relationship. Writing a thoughtful thank-you note for a letter not only shows your appreciation but also leaves a lasting impression on your recommender.

By acknowledging their time and effort, you enhance your professional image, strengthening future collaborations and showing respect for their support during your college application or grad school journey.

Why a Thank You Letter is Important for Letter of Recommendation?

A thank you letter for a letter of recommendation is essential to express gratitude and maintain a professional relationship with your recommender. Writing a thoughtful thank-you note shows appreciation for their time and effort in crafting your college recommendation or grad school application.

Whether a handwritten note or email, sending a thank-you note reinforces your respect and professionalism. It leaves a lasting impression, fostering future collaborations and enhancing your professional image. Thanking your recommender reflects a culture of gratitude and kindness.

When to Send Your Thank You Letter for a Recommendation Letter?

Sending a thank you letter for letter of recommendation is an essential step after receiving the letter of recommendation for your graduate school application, fellowship program, or MS in Civil Engineering. Ideally, you should send a thank-you note within a week of receiving the recommendation.

This ensures that the time and effort someone took in writing the letter are acknowledged promptly. Whether it’s a handwritten card or note or email, express your sincere gratitude and appreciation for their support.

A perfect thank-you note should reflect your respect for the recommender’s time and reinforce your professional relationship, leaving a lasting impression. If the letter of recommendation was written by your head of department or principal, it’s important to maintain this gesture of professionalism and appreciation.

Key Elements to Include in Your Thank-You Letter

When crafting a thank you letter for letter of recommendation, it’s important to ensure that your note is both professional and thoughtful.

thank you letter for letter of recommendation

A well-written thank-you note expresses your gratitude for the time and effort the recommender took in writing the letter and strengthens your relationship with the recommender.

  • Personalized Greeting: Always address the recommender by their title, such as “Dear Professor [Name]” or “Dear [Dr./Mr./Ms.] [Last Name].”
  • Express Your Gratitude: Start by expressing your sincere gratitude for taking the time to write the letter of recommendation and for their support.
  • Acknowledge Specific Details: Mention specific details from the letter of recommendation that stood out to you, which shows that you truly appreciate their effort.
  • Professional Tone: Keep your note clear and concise, maintaining professionalism and appreciation.
  • Future Updates: Mention that you will keep them updated on your graduate school application or job application outcomes.
  • Closing with Respect: End your letter with a warm but respectful closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” and your full name.

By sending a thoughtful thank-you note after receiving the letter of recommendation for your college applications or grad school, you reinforce kindness within your professional community and leave a lasting impression.

How to thank your professor for a letter of recommendation: Sample Letter

When you write a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation, it’s important to acknowledge the time and effort your professor put into writing the letter. A well-crafted thank you letter for letter of recommendation can leave a positive impression and strengthen your relationship with the recommender.

It’s not only a polite gesture but a reflection of gratitude and kindness within your professional growth.

Sample Letter:

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to write the letter of recommendation for my college applications. Your support in this process means a great deal to me, and I truly appreciate the thoughtful letter of recommendation you wrote on my behalf. The insights you provided will undoubtedly make a difference in my application process.

Thank you for your continued support and for investing your time and attention to help me pursue my academic goals. I will be sure to keep you updated on my progress and let you know the outcome of my applications.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Sending a thank-you note like this shows your appreciation for their support and reinforces a positive professional relationship with your professor.

Tips for Sending a Thank-You Note

Sending a thank you note after receiving a letter of recommendation is a thoughtful and professional way to express your gratitude.

thank you letter for letter of recommendation

Whether it’s a handwritten note or an email, it helps strengthen your relationship with your recommenders and reflects well on your professionalism.

  • Send it Promptly: After receiving the letter of recommendation, send a thank-you note as soon as possible to show your appreciation for their time and effort.
  • Be Personal: When you write a thank-you note, personalize it by mentioning specific details about the letter of recommendation you wrote for your college applications.
  • Use Their Title: Always address the person who wrote the letter by their correct title, such as “Professor [Last Name]” or “Dr. [Last Name].”
  • Express Your Gratitude: Make sure to say thank you for taking the time and effort to help you with the writing of your letter.
  • Be Clear and Concise: Your note should be brief, yet reflect well on your professional growth and common courtesy.
  • Maintain Professionalism: Whether you choose to send a handwritten card or an email, ensure your note helps maintain a professional relationship.
  • Keep It Positive: Always express your sincere gratitude, and let them know how much their support has made a difference in your job search or academic journey.

Conclusion 

Sending a thank you letter for letter of recommendation is a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation for the time and effort your teachers and professors invested in writing your letter.

By taking the time to write a thank you note, you not only express your gratitude but also strengthen your professional relationship with your recommenders. This small gesture reflects your good manners and leaves a lasting impression, especially when writing a letter of recommendation for your college applications.

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FAQs

What is a thank you letter for letter of recommendation?

A thank you letter for letter of recommendation is a note expressing gratitude to someone who has written you a recommendation letter.

When should I send a thank you letter for letter of recommendation?

It’s best to send your thank you letter for letter of recommendation within a week of receiving the letter.

What should I include in a thank you letter for letter of recommendation?

A thank you letter for letter of recommendation should include a sincere thank you, mention the specific opportunity, and your appreciation for their support.

Is an email thank you letter for letter of recommendation acceptable?

Yes, sending an email thank you letter for letter of recommendation is perfectly acceptable and timely.

Can I personalize my thank you letter for letter of recommendation?

Absolutely, personalizing your thank you letter for letter of recommendation makes your gratitude feel genuine and heartfelt.

Should I mention the outcome in my thank you letter for letter of recommendation?

If you have received news about your application, mentioning the outcome in your thank you letter for letter of recommendation is thoughtful.

Do I need to send a thank you letter for letter of recommendation for each letter writer?

Yes, you should send a separate thank you letter for letter of recommendation to each individual who wrote one for you.

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