Mastering Follow-Up: Thank You Notes for Caribbean IMG Residency Success

Why Follow-Up Matters So Much for Caribbean IMGs

As a Caribbean international medical graduate (IMG), you already know you’re entering the residency match with some extra hurdles: program bias, concerns about clinical preparation, and heavy competition for a limited number of spots. Solid scores and strong letters get you in the door—but how you follow up after each interview can influence whether you stay in a program’s “maybe” pile or move into their “rank-to-match” list.

Thoughtful, professional follow-up serves several key purposes:

• Reinforces your interest in the program
• Differentiates you from other candidates with similar metrics
• Highlights your communication skills and professionalism
• Keeps you memorable when programs are finalizing their rank lists

For Caribbean medical school residency applicants—whether you’re from SGU, AUC, Ross, SABA, or another school—your SGU residency match (or equivalent) outcome can be strengthened by consistent, polished communication. A well-crafted residency thank you note and appropriate post interview follow up are tools that can subtly shift how you’re perceived.

This article will walk you step-by-step through:

• How and when to send a thank you email after interview
• What to say (with examples tailored for Caribbean IMGs)
• How to follow up after the thank you note
• Common pitfalls that can hurt your application
• Frequently asked questions about post-interview communication

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Core Principles of Effective Residency Follow-Up

Before getting into templates and timelines, it helps to understand the underlying principles that should guide every thank you note and follow-up message you send.

1. Professionalism Above All

Residency is a job, not just another step in school. Program directors are evaluating:

• Your written communication skills
• Your judgment about what to say and how often to contact them
• Whether interacting with you will be easy or burdensome for 3–7 years

Professionalism means:

• No slang, emojis, or overly casual language
• Correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Respecting boundaries (not over-emailing or calling)
• Honesty—no exaggerated or misleading statements about your intentions

2. Gratitude, Not Pressure

Your thank you note is to express appreciation, not to lobby or negotiate. It is not the place to:

• Ask for a guarantee of a high rank
• Repeatedly insist that you must match at their program
• Compare them negatively to other programs

Instead, you want to:

• Thank them for their time and insight
• Highlight a couple of specific things you appreciated
• Reiterate your interest in the program without sounding desperate

3. Specificity Makes You Memorable

The fastest way to write a forgettable email is to say, “Thank you for interviewing me. I enjoyed meeting you and learning about your program.” Everyone says that.

For a Caribbean IMG, this is a missed opportunity. You should:

• Reference details from the conversation
• Mention a specific rotation, curriculum aspect, or community feature
• Tie those details to your background or goals

Examples:

• “I especially appreciated hearing about your structured support for international graduates transitioning to U.S. training.”
• “Our discussion about managing complex heart failure patients at your county hospital really stayed with me.”

4. Balanced Confidence as a Caribbean IMG

Many Caribbean IMGs either under-sell or over-explain their background in follow-up messages. You don’t need to:

• Apologize for your school
• Re-argue your entire application
• Defensively explain every red flag again

Instead, project calm confidence:

• Briefly connect your Caribbean training to strengths: adaptability, diverse patient care, early clinical exposure
• Let your tone show that you believe you belong in U.S. residency, without sounding entitled

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The Thank You Email After Interview: Timing, Format, and Content

When to Send Your Residency Thank You Note

The optimal window: within 24 hours of your interview, and no later than 48 hours.

Why this timing works:

• The interviewers still remember you clearly
• You demonstrate promptness and respect
• You don’t risk seeming last-minute or disorganized

If you had a multi-day series of interviews (common in some specialties), you can either:

• Send thank you notes at the end of each day, or
• Send them all the day after the final interview day

Consistency matters more than perfection. If you’re reading this after realizing you forgot: send a brief, apologetic but not dramatic thank you as soon as possible.

Who Should Receive a Thank You Email?

At minimum:

• Your primary interviewer(s)
• The program director (if you met them in a small-group or 1:1 format)
• The program coordinator (especially if they helped with logistics or answered many of your questions)

Optional but often helpful:

• Chief residents who interviewed you
• Faculty in your specific area of interest (e.g., cardiology, hospital medicine, EM ultrasound)

If you had a panel interview and are unsure who to send it to:

• Send to the main person who led the interview, and
• CC the others only if their emails were provided, or if it’s clear this is normal for that program

Do not ask the coordinator for faculty personal emails after the fact unless the program specifically invites that.

Subject Line Examples

Keep it clear and professional:

• “Thank you for the interview – [Your Full Name]”
• “Appreciation for today’s interview – [Your Name], [Specialty] applicant”
• “[Program Name] Interview – Thank You from [Your Name]”

Avoid emojis, jokes, or vague subject lines like “Follow-up” or “Hello.”

Structure of a Strong Thank You Email

You can think of it as a 5-part structure:

1. Greeting
2. Expression of thanks
3. Specific detail from the conversation
4. Reaffirmation of interest / fit
5. Professional closing

Sample Thank You Email (General Template)

Dear Dr. [Last Name],

Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me during my interview for the [Program Name] [Specialty] residency on [interview date]. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your program and your approach to resident education.

I especially enjoyed our discussion about [specific topic you discussed—e.g., “the program’s focus on evidence-based medicine and the weekly journal club,” or “how your residents support each other during busy ICU rotations”]. Hearing about [another specific detail] reinforced my impression that [Program Name] offers the kind of training environment where I would thrive.

As a Caribbean IMG from [Your School, e.g., SGU], I am particularly drawn to your program’s [mention something relevant: “structured mentorship,” “diverse patient population,” “strong record of supporting international graduates,” etc.]. I am confident that my experiences in [briefly mention a strength—e.g., “caring for underserved patients during my core rotations in Brooklyn”] have prepared me to contribute positively to your team.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. It was a pleasure speaking with you, and I would be honored to train at [Program Name].

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[AAMC/ERAS ID]
[Email] | [Phone]

Tailoring Your Note as a Caribbean IMG

As a Caribbean medical school residency candidate, your thank you email can subtly address and reframe concerns about:

• Transitioning to the U.S. healthcare system
• Clinical readiness
• Long-term commitment to the specialty and to the U.S.

Ways to do this, without over-explaining:

• Emphasize your U.S. clinical experience (USCE):
  • “My core rotations in [City/Hospital] exposed me to high-acuity, diverse patient populations similar to yours.”
• Highlight skills you gained from your path:
  • “Training in a resource-variable setting taught me to be adaptable and intentional with my learning.”
• Briefly link your background to resilience:
  • “Navigating the path as a Caribbean IMG has strengthened my resilience and commitment to internal medicine.”

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Post Interview Follow Up: Beyond the Thank You Note

Your thank you email after interview is just the first step. Many Caribbean IMGs wonder what, if anything, they should do afterward—especially when they’re anxious about the match and watching their SGU residency match (or other Caribbean school) statistics.

1. When Is Additional Follow-Up Appropriate?

You might reasonably send additional follow-up in the following situations:

1. To communicate genuine, strong interest later in the season
2. To update the program about significant achievements:
   • New publication or abstract acceptance
   • Major exam score release (Step 3, or a late Step 2 CK)
   • New leadership position or award
3. To clarify or correct something from the interview that you significantly misstated

Keep it limited: typically one post-interview update per program unless they explicitly invite more frequent communication.

2. “Letter of Interest” vs “Letter of Intent”

These terms are often confused:

• Letter of Interest:

  • You like the program and want them to know you’re very interested.
  • You may send this to multiple programs.
  • Language: “very interested,” “strongly considering ranking your program highly.”

• Letter of Intent:

  • You are telling one program only that you will rank them #1.
  • Ethically, you should send this to only one program.
  • Language: “I intend to rank your program as my first choice.”

As a Caribbean IMG, it can be tempting to send “I will rank you #1” messages to multiple programs, hoping it helps match somewhere. This is professionally risky:

• Programs talk to each other.
• If you’re found misrepresenting your intentions, it can hurt your reputation.
• It undermines trust in Caribbean medical school residency applicants as a group.

Use these letters strategically and honestly.

Sample “Letter of Interest” (Email)

Dear Dr. [Last Name],

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to interview at the [Program Name] [Specialty] residency on [date]. Since our conversation, I have reflected further on what I am seeking in a training program, and I remain very interested in [Program Name].

I was particularly impressed by [specific aspect: “your structured curriculum for interns,” “the balance of community and tertiary care training,” “your program’s support for international graduates,” etc.]. The more I learn about your residency, the more I feel it aligns with my career goals in [e.g., primary care, hospital medicine, fellowship in X].

As a Caribbean IMG from [Your School], I greatly value programs that emphasize mentorship, clinical rigor, and a supportive culture. I believe that my experiences caring for diverse patient populations during my rotations at [U.S. hospital(s)] have prepared me to contribute effectively to your team.

Thank you for your continued consideration of my application. I would be honored to train at [Program Name] and would strongly consider ranking your program highly on my list.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[AAMC/ERAS ID]

Sample “Letter of Intent” (Email)

Dear Dr. [Last Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to interview at the [Program Name] [Specialty] residency on [date]. After learning more about your program and reflecting on my career goals, I have decided that [Program Name] is my top choice for residency training.

I was especially drawn to [one or two program features—e.g., “your focus on caring for underserved populations,” “the strong camaraderie among residents,” “the robust preparation for fellowship,” etc.]. I believe that the clinical experiences at [Program Name], combined with your supportive teaching environment, would provide the ideal setting for my growth as a physician.

As a Caribbean IMG from [Your School], I am deeply committed to pursuing my training in a program that values hard work, resilience, and diverse paths into medicine. For this reason, I would like to let you know that I intend to rank [Program Name] as my number one choice on my rank order list.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. It would be a privilege to join your residency program.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[AAMC/ERAS ID]

Send this kind of message closer to the rank list deadline, when your decision is firm and the program is actively building their list.

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid as a Caribbean IMG

Even strong candidates can unintentionally weaken their applications with poorly handled follow-up. Here are frequent mistakes—and how to avoid them.

1. Over-Emailing Programs

Signs you’re overdoing it:

• More than 2–3 emails to the same program after the interview (including your thank you and any update)
• Following up repeatedly to ask if they received your message
• Emailing multiple faculty at the same program with similar messages

From the program’s perspective, this can signal:

• Neediness or anxiety that might translate into clinical situations
• Difficulty respecting boundaries
• Extra work for already busy faculty and coordinators

Aim for:

• One thank you note
• Possibly one later update/interest letter
• That’s it, unless they specifically invite more contact

2. Being Too Casual or Overly Personal

Avoid:

• Using first names unless invited (“Hi John” instead of “Dear Dr. Smith”)
• Including emojis, texting language (“u,” “lol”), or jokes about drinking, partying, etc.
• Oversharing personal struggles beyond what’s relevant

As a Caribbean IMG, you want to counter stereotypes by showing you understand U.S. professional norms.

3. Making Demands or Ultimatums

Do not:

• Ask directly, “Where will I be on your rank list?”
• Say, “I will only rank you #1 if you can assure me I will match.”
• Pressure them with tight time demands to respond to your email.

Programs are not allowed to tell you where you are ranked, and doing so could put them in an uncomfortable or non-compliant position.

4. Inconsistency or Dishonesty Between Programs

Be very careful with:

• Sending identical “You’re my #1” letters to multiple programs
• Claiming a program is your “dream” everywhere you interview
• Mentioning one program by name in an email to a different program (a common cut-and-paste error)

Program leadership hears stories, and coordinators sometimes move between programs. Maintaining integrity is crucial, not only for your own reputation but also for future Caribbean medical school residency applicants.

5. Poorly Written or Rushed Emails

Red flags:

• Typos in the program or interviewer’s name
• Grammar mistakes, run-on sentences, or unclear points
• Long, unfocused paragraphs that read like another personal statement

Strategies:

• Keep emails short, clear, and specific (3–6 sentences is often enough)
• Use tools like spellcheck and grammar check
• If possible, have a friend or mentor read your first few thank you notes

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Practical Workflow: Organizing Your Follow-Up Strategy

Step 1: Prepare Before Interview Season

Create a tracking system (spreadsheet or simple table) with columns like:

• Program name
• Interview date
• Interviewers’ names and emails
• 1–2 unique points you discussed
• Date thank you sent
• Whether you might send a later interest/intent letter

This is particularly important when applying broadly as a Caribbean IMG—you may have 10–20+ interviews across multiple states and specialties.

Step 2: Take Brief Notes Right After Each Interview

Immediately after your interview day, jot down:

• Unique aspects you liked about the program
• Memorable parts of conversations with each interviewer
• Any concerns you want to think about later

Use these notes to personalize your thank you emails.

Step 3: Batch Your Thank You Emails

Within 24 hours:

• Draft all your thank you emails for that program
• Personalize each with at least one specific detail
• Send them in one sitting so you don’t forget anyone

Step 4: Decide on Later Follow-Up Targets

After all your interviews:

• Identify 3–5 programs you feel most strongly about
• Plan appropriate letters of interest or one letter of intent
• Time these for 2–3 weeks before rank list deadlines

This helps you stay strategic instead of impulsively emailing when you feel anxious.

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FAQs: Residency Thank You Notes & Follow-Up for Caribbean IMGs

1. Do programs actually care about thank you emails?

Some programs claim they do not consider thank you messages in their decisions, while others admit they sometimes help when ranking borderline candidates. You can’t predict which is which, but as a Caribbean IMG, you benefit from every small professionalism signal.

Think of thank you emails as low-risk, modest-upside actions: they rarely hurt you if done correctly, and they may help when decisions are close.

2. Is it okay to send handwritten thank you cards?

In the modern residency application environment, email is preferred:

• It arrives quickly (important during a compressed season)
• It is easier for coordinators and PDs to manage
• Many faculty are working remotely or across multiple sites

Handwritten notes can seem thoughtful but may arrive too late or get lost. If you truly want to send a card, consider doing it in addition to, not instead of, an email—but don’t feel obligated.

3. What if I forgot to send a thank you email and it’s been a week (or more)?

Send a brief, focused email now. Do not spend half the message apologizing. Acknowledge the delay in one sentence and move on.

Example:

Dear Dr. [Last Name],

I realized I had not yet thanked you for the opportunity to interview at [Program Name] on [date], and I apologize for the delay. I truly appreciated our conversation about [specific topic], and learning more about your residency reinforced my strong interest in your program.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Name]

A slightly late thank you is better than none, especially when you handle it calmly and professionally.

4. As a Caribbean IMG, should I mention my school in follow-up emails?

Yes, but briefly and strategically. You don’t need to reintroduce your entire background in every email, but one short reference can help frame your strengths:

• “As a Caribbean IMG from [School], I value…”
• “My training at [School] and US rotations at [Hospitals] have prepared me to…”

Avoid apologetic or defensive language; present your path as an asset that has built resilience and adaptability.

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Thoughtful thank you notes and well-timed post interview follow up won’t singlehandedly secure your SGU residency match—or your match outcome from any other Caribbean medical school—but they can strengthen your overall impression as a professional, communicative, and genuinely interested applicant. Used wisely, they become one more way to stand out positively in a competitive field and move one step closer to the residency training you’ve worked so hard to achieve.