{"id":28905,"date":"2015-06-04T12:32:16","date_gmt":"2015-06-04T19:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=28905"},"modified":"2015-06-04T12:32:16","modified_gmt":"2015-06-04T19:32:16","slug":"mba-letters-of-recommendation-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/mba-letters-of-recommendation-2\/","title":{"rendered":"MBA Letters Of Recommendation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Offer
Offer to walk the dog to make time in your recommenders\u2019 schedule to write the letter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Selecting your recommenders takes a strategy. I like to begin with the basics: Who, When, What, Where, and How. I also like to suggest that you waive your right to access it. The waiver makes the recommendation more credible to the admissions committee.<\/p>\n

Who:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who are the best people to address the questions the schools are asking? Who are the best people to affirm what you say and also add information that you don\u2019t have the chance to include in your essay? Many schools ask for supervisor. While it is best to ask your supervisor for the letter of recommendation (and ask if (s)he can write you a strong letter of recommendation), there are times when you just can\u2019t ask a supervisor for a letter. If you find yourself in that situation, you\u2019ll need an explanation. \u00a0For example, \u201cI asked my mentor to write my recommendation because she knows my leadership<\/a>, drive and work ethic better than anyone else I know.\u201d Or, \u201cI\u2019ve asked a former supervisor to write my recommendation letter because asking my current supervisor would jeopardize my current project\/promotion.\u201d \u00a0Or, \u201cI\u2019ve asked a supplier to write my recommendation because my supervisor has only been on board for one month and I\u2019ve known my supplier for three years.\u201d \u00a0Regardless, develop a strong relationship with your recommender prior to \u201cthe ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

When:<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to ask your recommender to write the letter at least 6 weeks prior to your anticipated date of submission. \u00a0Everyone will face delays, so make allow for them. Six weeks should give your recommender enough time to<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> \u00a0Review your preparation materials (see what).<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> \u00a0Meet with the recommender for the request (in person if possible).<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0<\/strong>Meet again to give the packet of information that you will provide.<\/p>\n

4. \u00a0<\/strong>Meet again to answer any questions the recommender has for you.<\/p>\n

What:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many schools ask similar questions, but it is best to use the unique e-form each school provides the recommender and answer the questions the school asks. You will add the recommenders\u2019 information on your application, and the school will send your recommender a link. Many of these documents can be written in word and uploaded as a .doc, .docx or pdf.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how the letter is delivered, you need to give your recommender a packet of information to use to help him or her answer the questions. Often the questions will ask about your leadership in relation to your peers or when did your recommender offer you criticism and how did you receive the criticism? \u00a0This latter question has been problematic for many recommenders. \u00a0I suggest that the recommender think about the question in a different way. \u00a0Rather than thinking about a weakness, think about a time the recommender \u201coffered the candidate advice and how did the candidate act on that advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

A letter of recommendation is not your annual review; it\u2019s your recommendation. \u00a0Your recommender may even ask you to write the letter and (s)he\u2019ll sign the letter. \u00a0You need to stand your ground and say, \u201cthe school really wants your honest perspective, and I would be so grateful to you for your original work.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, you can coach your recommender by providing a list of the schools to which you are applying and why, a copy of your resume<\/a>, your goals statement, and items you would like to your recommender to cover <\/b>like your achievements or items that you can\u2019t cover in your essays, but your recommender can elaborate on your affinity for paragliding or your talent with the cello (this is your packet). You can also ask your recommender to highlight achievements that may counteract a negative \u2013 like your communications skills if you have a low verbal score or a quantitative achievement if you have a low quant score. \u00a0I know when I write letters for my former students, having this information will remind me of the great things that the student did for the school or for me. \u00a0It gives me the launching point to tell a story and all the statements a recommender makes should be backed up with evidence (a story) to make it more interesting and hammer home the point of the recommendation. \u00a0Many recommendations also offer grids. \u00a0Your recommender should be honest, but I must say that if my candidates fell below the top two categories, it sent up a red flag.<\/p>\n

Where: \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your recommender says (s)he doesn\u2019t have the time to write the recommendation, I\u2019ve suggested my clients book a one hour appointment (after they give the packet of materials needed to write the recommendation) and then call the recommender and say, okay, I\u2019d like you to use this hour to write my recommendation. \u00a0You can also offer to do things like pick up dry cleaning or groceries, walk the dog, or drive carpool to make time in your recommenders\u2019 schedule to write the letter. \u00a0Regardless, they need at least one hour of quiet time to get this right.<\/p>\n

How:<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your recommender says that (s)he can\u2019t write a strong letter for you, you need to find another recommender. \u00a0If they enthusiastically say \u201cyes!\u201d make the task easy for the recommender by giving the recommender the packet to which I referred in the \u201cwhat\u201d section.<\/p>\n

Please contact us<\/a> if you have other questions regarding your recommendations and good luck.<\/p>\n

\"Download<\/a>
\n\"Natalie<\/a> By Natalie Grinblatt Epstein<\/a>, an accomplished Accepted.com consultant\/editor (since 2008) and entrepreneur. Natalie is a former MBA Admissions Dean and Director at Ross, Johnson, and Carey.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0MBA Letters of Recommendation that Rock<\/a>\u00a0- an ebook
\n\u2022\u00a0Recommenders And Recommendations<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0Quick Guide to Admissions Resumes<\/a><\/p>\n

Accepted.com<\/a>'s <\/i>experienced admissions consultants<\/a> can help you create the most impressive application possible with <\/i>comprehensive packages<\/a>,<\/i> <\/i><\/b>or provide targeted assistance from <\/i>picking perfect programs<\/a> to <\/i>designing a dazzling resume<\/a>, <\/i>constructing engaging essays<\/a>, or <\/i>preparing for intense interview<\/a>s<\/a>\u2026and more! <\/i>Accepted.com<\/a> has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top programs since 1994 \u2013 we know what works and what doesn't, so <\/i>contact us<\/a> to get started now!<\/i><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u200b\u200b<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0blog.accepted.com<\/a>, the official blog of\u00a0Accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
\u200b\u200b<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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