Of all the components of your application to business school, the letters of recommendation are the item that requires input from an outside source. Their importance should therefore not be underestimated, as this is the chance for the admissions committee to assess how you are viewed by others, not just how you see yourself.
In consequence the recommendations should be written by individuals who know you, and can attest to your abilities, experience and professionalism. This typically means that at least one letter should come from your immediate supervisor, the person you work with on a daily basis. Of course if you are not yet ready to tell your company that you want to head back to business school, you might want to identify a client or supplier with whom you have had a close working relationship. Schools will understand if asking your current employer will jeopardise your current job situation, but it might be a good idea to include a sentence about this decision in your optional essay so that they don't have to second-guess the situation. Nevertheless, by asking your immediate supervisor you are also making a clear statement to the school about just how committed you are to the MBA project.
At Fortuna Admissions we spend a considerable amount of time talking through the different recommender options an applicant might have, and also look to see how the specific examples they can give of your qualities and achievements reinforce the content of your own essays. Because recommenders do not face word limits, they can address additional strengths and accomplishments. But don't leave anything to chance. Make sure they know why you are applying to business school and what you want to get from it. Ask them to include anecdotes, quantifiable results or particular details that might be enlightening to the Admissions Committee. The more specific your recommenders can be, providing concrete examples of your abilities, contributions and achievements, the better the Admissions Committee will be able to understand you.
Be clear about how many recommendations are required. Stanford GSB, for example, asks for three letters, one of which should come from a peer. Many schools, however, require two recommendations, including Harvard Business School, which recently reduced their requirement. HBS suggests that recommendations come from individuals who know the candidate well and can attest to the person’s leadership abilities.
The careful selection of your recommender also implies their level of support and belief in you. A half-hearted letter, or worse still, a critical assessment can be hard to overcome. So follow your instincts – if you think the recommendation might be less than positive, then you are probably right, and should look elsewhere for support. Celebrity endorsements or a vague letter from the managing director, who is clearly unfamiliar with your roles and responsibilities, should also be avoided. Admissions officers see thousands of letters, so aim for the right balance of critique, positive feedback and authenticity to ensure your recommendation letters add value to your application.
Another common mistake is the absence of a recommendation from someone who has worked with you in the past two years. Going back too far in time to find your recommenders can raise questions about your current situation. It is also clear from the questions asked by business schools that it is better not to approach a professor from college for one of your recommendations. Though well-placed to describe academic achievements and class participation, they would struggle to describe your potential for senior management. If you in a doctoral programme, however, your academic supervisor would be a natural choice.
