Here are some tips for selecting individuals to write letters of recommendation on your behalf as part of your MBA application. Do not worry excessively about this part of the application, as it is just one of many areas we evaluate. Decisions are made across multiple criteria and it is the rare letter that is sufficiently strong or weak to decisively influence an admissions decision.
Do select your recommenders with the following in mind:
- We are more concerned with content that recommender title or pedigree.
- We value the perspective that others who know you well in a professional setting can share.
- Direct supervisors are generally best, although peers recommendations are a fine backup plan.
- The best recommenders are those who can directly assess the qualities and questions listed on the recommendation form.
In general, it is best to avoid letters from:
- Relatives – even if it’your father for whom you work and who is your greatest critic
- Family friends– even if they are well-connected and influential
- Professors – unless you worked for them or they can address academic deficiencies; remember this is for b-school and not a PhD
- Family graduates of the program – nice to know, but we (and many schools) do not admit based on legacy. The program is also likely more competitive than when your relatives were admitted.
- College friends – okay, they can discuss your character and challenges you’ve overcome, but they are biased and have not always seen you in a work capacity
- Your minister or priest – we do seek applicants with values and do know how active you’ve been in your religion based on what you listed elsewhere in the application
- CEOs, COOs or CFOs - if they know you only by reputation or via third party sources
- Your psychiatrist – we appreciate individuals who have overcome traumatic life experiences, but the details are TMI. If you have recovered or dealt with such issues, there will be evidence of it elsewhere in your application.
- Anyone who doesn’t know you well – even the most glowing praise is faint in the absence of specific examples to back it up.
As you can see, the list of things to avoid is longer than the guidelines to follow. This should make your task of selecting recommenders easier rather than harder.
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