How Important Are Letters of Recommendations?

How Important Are Letters of Recommendations?

Many candidates fail to recognize that their recommendations are as influential in determining their admissions success or failure as their MBA admission essays.

Yes, you read that correctly. For the top MBA programs – in the USA in particular – letters of recommendation often weigh as heavily (some would say more heavily) as the essays in determining your fate.

You can have a fantastic candidacy and application in every other way – application form, GMAT score, GPA, essays, resume, work experience and extracurricular record – but if your recommendations are lukewarm or unenthusiastic in their endorsement of you, this can close the door for an interview and admission. This is particularly true if you are from an over-represented profile in the admissions pool.

For some schools like Harvard, if a recommendation writer implies you are not a strong leader or lack leadership abilities, this alone can close the door to admission.

For many top MBA programs, if a recommendation criticizes you for being reticent to speak up in teams or meetings, you will also find your candidacy severely undercut.

In the case of the top MBA programs, the admissions committees want to receive recommendations that indicate you are the best among your peers, you have strong analytical and leadership skills, you are innovative or resourceful, you are great at bringing valued perspectives to your teams, and you are headed for great future success. If the recommendations simply indicate you are “pretty good” or “second best”, your application may be perceived as having a weakness, which could have an adverse impact on your outcomes.

Think about who you want to recommend you. Take early steps to cultivate a strong relationship with your recommendation writers, making sure they are aware of your successes and goals, so that they can reflect this information in their references for you.

Recommendations can serve as game-changers!

Feel free to reach out to us at MBA Admit.com if you would like assistance in the MBA application process.

Best wishes,
Dr. Shel (Shelly Watts)
President, MBA Admit.com
https://www.mbaadmit.com
Email: info@mbaadmit.com