PA School Interview Thank You Notes: Do You Need Them?

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Thank you notes after a PA school interview are a nice courtesy, but they are not required and will not make or break your acceptance. A handwritten card or a quick email both work, so pick whichever feels comfortable. Get your interviewers' names and contact info at the interview if you can, keep your note short and specific, and don't stress if you skip it entirely.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

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Should you send a thank you note after a PA school interview?

A question that comes up a lot after interviews is what to do next. Should you send thank you notes? An email? Who do they even go to? And will it look bad if you skip them?

No matter how you look at it, it's always nice to receive a handwritten note. If you want to send something to the program, a written card in the mail is a great option. But we live in an era where email is the norm, and that's not a bad thing. Email is quicker and gets your thanks to your interviewers faster. If you decide to send a note, it doesn't matter which format you choose, so go with whatever you feel more comfortable with.

In this post:

Who do you send a PA school interview thank you note to, and what do you say?

Figuring out who and where to send your note can be the real hurdle. Try to get this information during your interview, whether it's on a handout or by asking the program coordinator. If you forget, which is completely understandable given the nerves, you can contact the coordinator afterward to ask for the mailing address or emails you need. Just know that if you don't recall your interviewer's name, it may be tough to track that down later.

Keep the note short and sweet out of respect for your reader's time. Thank your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and for the chance to learn about their program. If you discussed anything memorable or specific, reference it so they can place you more easily.

In Our Experience

In our experience coaching applicants, thank you notes cause way more anxiety than they deserve. I'll be honest, I didn't send thank you notes when I interviewed because I was buried in finals at the time, and I still got in. If writing them helps you feel polished and on top of things, go for it, but please don't lose sleep over it.

Will skipping thank you notes hurt your chances of acceptance?

While thank you notes are a nice gesture, they are not an absolute necessity. At the end of the day it's a courtesy, not a factor that will impact your acceptance to PA school. So don't let the idea of gathering names and addresses and writing notes stress you out.

If it's too much to handle right now, that's ok! To be honest, some accepted students skip them entirely. One applicant was in the middle of finals during her interviews and even had to reschedule a few, so notes were not her priority, and she was still accepted. Do what you can manage, and let the rest go.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Thank you notes are a courtesy, not a deciding factor, so a short, specific email is plenty if you choose to send one.

Free Interview Worksheet → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-pa-school-interview-worksheet-download/

Need to Know:

Both handwritten cards and emails are acceptable, so pick what feels comfortable
Grab interviewer names and contact info during the interview if you can
If you forget, the program coordinator may be able to help afterward
Keep notes short and reference something specific you discussed
Thank you notes will not make or break your acceptance
It's completely fine to skip them if you're overwhelmed

FAQ

Are thank you notes required after a PA school interview?

No. They're a courtesy and a nice gesture, but they are not required and will not determine your acceptance.

Is email or a handwritten note better for a thank you?

Both are acceptable. A handwritten card feels personal, while email is faster, so choose whichever you're comfortable with.

Who should I send a thank you note to?

Usually your interviewers and possibly the program coordinator. Try to collect names and contact info during your interview.

What if I forgot my interviewer's name?

Reach out to the program coordinator, who may be able to provide the address or email. If you can't recall the name at all, you may be out of luck.

What should a PA school thank you note say?

Keep it short. Thank them for their time and the chance to learn about the program, and reference something specific you discussed.

Will skipping thank you notes hurt my chances?

No. Plenty of applicants are accepted without sending them, so don't stress if you skip it.

CLOSING

Thank you notes are a thoughtful touch, but they're optional, and your interview performance matters far more. Focus your energy where it counts and send a note only if it feels right to you. If you want to walk into interview day feeling ready, our free interview worksheet is a great place to start.

Mock Interview → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/mock-interview/

PA School Interview Thank You Notes: Do You Need Them?