{"id":37575,"date":"2017-06-07T07:00:45","date_gmt":"2017-06-07T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=37575"},"modified":"2017-06-07T01:44:23","modified_gmt":"2017-06-07T08:44:23","slug":"mba-letters-of-recommendation-who-when-what-where-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/mba-letters-of-recommendation-who-when-what-where-how\/","title":{"rendered":"MBA Letters Of Recommendation: Who, When, What, Where & How"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Let<\/a><\/p>\n

Selecting your recommenders requires 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 application essays<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Many schools ask that a supervisor writes your LOR, and while that is ideal, 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. For example, \u201cI asked my mentor [instead of my supervisor] to write my recommendation<\/a> because she knows my leadership, 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 Or, \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 Regardless, 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<\/a> at least six weeks prior to your anticipated date of submission. Everyone will face delays, so allow for them. Six weeks should give your recommender enough time to:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Review your preparation materials (see What?<\/strong> below)<\/p>\n

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

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

4.<\/strong> Meet again to answer any questions the recommender may have 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 contact information on your application, and the school will send your recommender a link. Many of these documents can be written in Word and then uploaded.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how the letter is delivered, you need to give your recommender a packet of information to use to help them answer the questions. Often the questions will ask about your leadership<\/a> in relation to your peers or when did your recommender offer you criticism and how did you receive the criticism? This latter question has been problematic for many recommenders. I suggest that the recommender think about the question in a different way: rather 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. Your recommender may even ask you to write the letter, and they\u2019ll just sign it when you\u2019re done. You 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 you are applying to and the reasons why, a copy of your resume<\/a>, your goals statement, and additional items you want your recommender to cover (like your achievements or items that you can\u2019t cover in your essays but that your recommender can elaborate on, like your affinity for paragliding or your talent with the cello).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

I 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. It gives me the launching point to tell a story.<\/p>\n

All the statements a recommender makes should be backed up with evidence<\/a> (a story) to make it more interesting and hammer home the point of the recommendation.<\/p>\n

Many recommendations also offer grids. Your recommender should be honest.<\/p>\n

Where?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your recommender says they don\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 that they\u2019d like to use this hour to write the recommendation. You 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. Regardless, they need at least one hour of quiet time to get this right.<\/p>\n

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

If your recommender says that they can\u2019t write a strong letter for you, you need to find another recommender. If they enthusiastically say \u201cyes!\u201d make the task easy for them by giving them the packet (as mentioned in the What?<\/strong> section).<\/p>\n

Check out our Letter of Recommendation assistance service<\/a> if you have other questions regarding your recommendations, and good luck!<\/p>\n

\"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Natalie<\/a> By Natalie Grinblatt Epstein<\/a>, an accomplished Accepted consultant\/editor (since 2008) and entrepreneur. Natalie is a former MBA Admissions Dean and Director at Ross, Johnson, and Carey. Want Natalie to help you get accepted to business school? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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

\u2022 Leadership in Admissions<\/a>, a free guide
\n\u2022 MBA Letters of Recommendation - 10 Tips for Recommenders<\/a>
\n\u2022 How Not to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation<\/a><\/p>\n

This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<\/i>blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i>get accepted<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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