What are you giving to the referees?

[daryn]

I'm thinking:

 

The form.

An envelope with the address and stamp

A CV? Your essays?

 

Do you give a thank you card/small gift with this or after you have submitted or after you get an interview or after you get accepted?

[Jixe]

Definitely provide a CV. I would suggest using an Xpresspost envelope as it provides tracking and guarantees 1-day receipt. Maybe sit down with them and let them know what you'd like them to stress on the reference letter. I've asked to review the letter before they sent it out - they obliged.

 

As for gifts, I would hold off until after you've heard back from schools. During the last cycle, I gave:

A book + a thank you card.

Lunch + a thank you card (I hadn't seen her in over a year!).

[moestar]

If the referee is academic, they may ask you for a copy of your transcript as well.

[xylem29]

Here's another lesson I learned - for university faculty, they don't need any envelope or stamps. They've got official dept envelopes and paid postage. However, if you want them to send it express or registered, then you can offer to pay for that.

[lostintime]

I thought it was confidential...how can you review it before they send it out?

[Madz25]

I asked each of my references what they'd like to help them write the letter. This included:

 

-CV

-transcript

-envelope with address labels

-"tip sheet" - pertinent information for the referees to include in the letter

 

I gave my referees a card and a box of chocolates as a thank you.

[daryn]

I gave my referees a card and a box of chocolates as a thank you.

 

But when did you do that?

[Madz25]

But when did you do that?

 

After all the application/interview craziness died down - about half way through the winter semester.