Universal MBA Recommendation

What Should My Recommender Include in the Letter of Rec?

As I mentioned on the MBA Recommendation Guide page, most schools will ask your recommenders for the same information.  Most will also ask your recommenders to jump through a lot of hoops, filling in grid boxes and responding to inane and predictable questions.  Because recommenders don't usually have time to do that much work for each of six schools (the minimum you should apply to), they may end up writing one very comprehensive letter of recommendation that you can use for all of your applications.

Much of the "Universal Letter of Recommendation" form below was assembled by one of the most successful applicants I ever knew.  I told him that MBA schools ask virtually identical questions of recommenders and he proved me right by compiling a list and combining similar topics.  His academic history was far from stellar.  In fact, if you knew the details you might think he had no chance of being admitted anywhere.  Fortunately, he's a brilliant writer and a terrific guy who, through some great essays, was able to convince five top programs that he had something valuable to offer.

The summary below of the most commonly asked questions is a good starting point for those of you who need to help your recommenders craft a comprehensive letter that you can submit to all of your schools.  The schools will accept such a letter in place of the complicated online forms because they know the forms are time consuming and that some recommenders refuse to complete them.

Use this summary as a rough guide.  You don't need to address every issue in it, but try to hit the topics that are most relevant to your candidacy or that show you in the best light.  Also, look at your specific applications and try to determine whether some other questions might play to your strengths.  If they do, be sure to include them in the list of questions you submit to your recommender.

Don't worry too much about the structure of the letter, just have your recommender answer the questions. Structure isn't as important as content, so have your recommender focus on providing insight into your personality and values.

When your recommender has finished the letter, have him or her address separate copies of it to each school. (Be sure not to write one school's name at the top and another school's name in the body of the letter.)  Then upload the copy at each school's Web site or send it through the mail if that's the only available option.

Universal Business School Recommendation Form

Name of Person Completing the Recommendation:
Position/Title:
Organization:

In what context and for how long have you known the applicant? Please comment on the frequency of interaction. Please give exact dates. Is this person still employed by your organization?

In your answers, please describe specific activities or accomplishments that demonstrate this candidate's strengths and weaknesses.

1.  What are the applicant's principal strengths and special talents? / Provide a short list of adjectives that describe the applicant's strengths.

2.  Discuss the applicant's competence in his area of responsibility or specialization (i.e. organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to complete assignments).

3.  How does the applicant's performance compare with that of his or her peers? How does he accept constructive criticism? How has the applicant grown during his employment with you?

4.  Comment on the applicant's ability to work with others, including superiors, peers and subordinates. Would you enjoy working for the applicant? / Please discuss observations you have made concerning the applicant's leadership abilities and group skills.

5.  Comment on the applicant's maturity.

6.  How would you describe the applicant's sense of humor?

7.  In what ways could the applicant improve professionally? / What aspect of the applicant would you most like to change? / In which areas could the applicant exhibit growth or improvement? Has he worked on these areas?

8.  How well has the applicant made use of available opportunities? Consider his initiative, curiosity and motivation.

9.  What do you think motivates the candidate's application to the MBA program? Do you feel the applicant is realistic in his professional ambitions? / Has the applicant given careful consideration to his plans for entry into the MBA program? / Please comment on your impression of the applicant's capacity for graduate work.

10.  Comment on the applicant's business ethics.

11.  What is your overall assessment of the applicant's potential for success as an effective and inspiring upper-level manager?

12.  Please provide detailed comments on the applicant's degree of self-confidence.

Feel free to make additional statements concerning the applicant's accomplishments, managerial potential and other personal qualities. / Comments regarding the applicant's aptitude for graduate work and a career in business and management will be especially appreciated.

Note:  Don't try to address every issue above; instead, select those that show you in the best light.  Start by writing a brief response to each question.  Only after you have good replies should you worry about fitting them together into a coherent letter.

 < Back to: MBA Recommendation Guide