Writing a letter to a PhD Doctor

[Hgrove]

Her name is (say) Jane Smith MA PhD.  Do I address the letter as (1) Dr Jane Smith  (2) Dr Jane Smith MA PhD (3) Jane Smith MA PhD?  Thanks for your help as it's a cover letter for a job application.

[acw]

I would say:

On the address:

Dr Jane Smith

1 New Street

etc etc

Then, "Dear Dr Smith............. Yours sincerely".

You shouldn't put the letters after the name really.  At least there's no NEED to.  I certainly wouldn't expect letters to Miss Anna Wood LLB (Hons).  The only time I got that was when I received graduation cards and friends and family were being a bit tongue in cheek!!

However, acknowledging a doctorate will always earn brownie points!  Good luck with the application.

Sorry if the formatting is wierd on my answer!

[spudqueen]

I agree with acw, Mr Spudqueen has lots of letters after his name; Phd, BSc, Dic ( I kid you not!) but no-one every addresses him (or letters to him) as anything other than Dr Spudqueen!

[Ouisch]

Maybe the etiquette is different in the UK, but if it were me, I would list the inside address in the letter as:

 

Jane Smith, MA, PhD

123 Street

London, England

 

Dear Dr. Smith:

[smudge]

I would go along with acw.

[acw]

PS - I'm a UK user.  I believe those who have agreed with my suggestion are also UK based.  :-)

[Hgrove]

Thank you all very much.  I am also in the UK.

[Lillabet]

I agree with acw as well. I am in the UK and have an MA and a PhD. I would find it odd if someone worte to me listing my abbreviated qualifications after my name.

[jno]

which goes to show that Americans acknowledge achievement and Brits prefer not to. Given the rows upon rows of ribbons and medals worn by, say, the Prince of Wales - from which battles exactly? - you can understand the British distrust of show. But the American way is politer.

jno, MA, DFC, BBC and bar, ROFL

[acw]

In all fairness, I will put my letters on letterheads (when I have a job), just as my Dad did/does.  I just think it looks a bit silly on addresses and Dears.  But maybe that does just show how British I am!  Mind you, in about 20 years time, everyone will have a degree anyway, so what will be the point in acknowledging them!  It would be like putting Miss Anna Wood HB (human being)!

[Lillabet]

Oh I use my letters on business cards and formal letters of a work nature. I just don't require that everyone use them back when communicating with me. Nor do I use them to try to intimidate people unnecessarily. I worked alongside one guy who if he ever had to phone anyone like the credit card co or a utility company would start the call with 'Please tell them that this is Name calling and I am a solicitor' even for a query.
Having said that when my friend's car was driven into by someone going through a stop sign the look on that driver's face when we were exchanging details (me as witness) and he realised I was a doctor and worked in the law department of a uni was fun...

I prefer to think that I am secure enough not to need the constant acknowledgement of my colleagues or strangers.

Nor do I put them on my email signature at work - as I think email is a more informal form of communication. There is a colleague of mine who has BSc Geography 2:1 (Hons) of the bottom of each email and I just think that's pretentious

I think this is fairly standard practice. You can always tell which academic texts are American as the author is given as Name PhD whereas UK academics are given on the covers as simply Name like any other author. Though their precise qualifications will be mentioned in the biography at the start of the book...

[acw]

Adding in the 2.i part is just SILLY!!!  That's not even needed - the honours bit shows that you did well. 

I agree though, Lillabet (and what a delight it is to see you here still!), I don't need constant reassurance.  I only drop the law thing in when I feel people are about to try and fleece me.  (Generally only by saying it loudly to a friend!)

That said, when I finally graduate from this masters, I will use Anna Wood LLB, LLM (Law and Econ).  I know the usual "rule" is to drop the lower qualification, but as it's in a different subject I don't see why I should! teehee!

[Lillabet]

Today is my last day at work and I'm putting off clearing my desk! If you want to chat that's cool but pop over into my goodbye thread in People and Places so we don't annoy poor Hgrove more than this post will already. Sorry Hgrove!

[jno]

Indians are famous for putting BA (failed) on their business cards, showing at least they tried. Anyway, they were, I don't know if they still do.

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah I agree it is difficult

John SMith is easy: J Smith esq., MA PhD

My mother in the sixties got Dr J Smith MA PhD, on the envelope - but you know, you've got younger people telling you what they prefer in the new century.

Note My mother wd now be aged 95......

 

PP