A strong letter of recommendation is a critical component of any MBA application. It provides admissions committees with an authentic, third-party perspective on your professional abilities and potential. A well-crafted letter can highlight qualities that a resume or essay cannot, adding significant weight to your candidacy for a top business school.

The Qualities Admissions Committees Seek

Admissions committees evaluate your recommendations to gauge several key attributes. They’re not just looking for a positive review; they want to see evidence of your impact and potential.

  • Leadership and Teamwork: Recommenders are often asked to provide specific examples of your leadership skills. This could be leading a project, managing a team, or simply taking the initiative to drive a task forward. They also look for how you collaborate and contribute to a team’s success.
  • Technical and Analytical Expertise: Your recommender should be able to speak to your professional skills. If you’re in a quantitative role, they can provide concrete examples of how you’ve used data to solve problems or make key decisions.
  • Professionalism and Maturity: The letter should convey that you are a reliable, professional, and mature colleague who is ready for the rigors of an MBA program.

Most importantly, schools want a letter from someone who has observed your performance firsthand and can provide specific, detailed anecdotes, not just generic praise.

Choosing the Right Recommenders

The person writing your letter is more important than their job title. While it’s common to choose a direct manager, the key is to select someone who knows you well and can answer the specific questions posed by the application.

  • Who to Choose: Your best recommender is someone who has supervised you or worked closely with you and can provide concrete examples of your performance and character. This could be a current or former direct manager, a senior colleague on a project, or a client you’ve worked with closely.
  • Who to Avoid: Generally, you should avoid using family members, friends, or a very high-ranking executive who barely knows you. A generic letter from a CEO holds far less weight than a detailed, personal one from a direct supervisor.

Guiding Your Recommender: The Do’s and Don’ts

Once you’ve chosen your recommender, your job isn’t over. You must equip them with the tools they need to write a great letter.

Do’s:

  • Ask Early: Give them plenty of time—at least four to six weeks before the deadline.
  • Provide a “Brag Packet”: Create a concise packet of materials for them. This should include your resume, a list of your target schools and their deadlines, and a brief summary of your career goals and key accomplishments.
  • Remind Them of Specifics: Remind them of specific projects or achievements you want them to highlight. Use bullet points to make it easy for them to reference.
  • Waive Your Rights: On the application, be sure to waive your right to see the letter of recommendation. This signals to the admissions committee that you trust your recommender and ensures they feel comfortable providing a truly honest assessment.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t Write the Letter Yourself: Do not write the letter for your recommender to sign. This can be easily detected and can lead to disqualification.
  • Don’t Pressure Them: Be respectful of their time and give them the option to decline. It’s better to have a genuinely enthusiastic recommender than a reluctant one.

The process of managing your MBA applications can be complex, and ensuring you have strong letters of recommendation is a critical step. ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting offers expert guidance on everything from identifying the best recommenders to helping you prepare the materials they need. Contact us today for optimizing every aspect of your MBA applications.

For a more detailed breakdown of how to get the most out of your recommendation letters, be sure to watch our comprehensive webinar.