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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nYour MBA letters of recommendation offer business schools a third-party perspective on your management and leadership potential, interpersonal skills, teamwork abilities, and fit and readiness for their program. Because your recommenders will give the admissions office valuable insight to into how you\u2019re seen by others, the individuals you choose to be your outspoken champions \u2013 and the strength, thoroughness and enthusiasm of their endorsements \u2013 are an essential component of your overall narrative.<\/p>\n
In my current role at Fortuna Admissions, and as former Associate Director of Admissions for UCLA Anderson, I\u2019ve read thousands of recommendation letters and I can attest that a well written one can tip the balance in your candidacy. Many of these first-hand testimonials delivered the puzzle piece that confirmed a candidate\u2019s great fit, while others disappointed with banal platitudes or scant detail that did little to enhance an applicant\u2019s file. Too often, it was as simple as not having the right examples, not substantively backing up the abilities and strengths a candidate mentioned themselves, or lacking in sufficient detail.<\/p>\n
So who should you ask to write your letters of recommendation? And what can you do to ensure the best possible outcome?<\/p>\n
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# 1. First and foremost, pick someone who knows you well.<\/strong> #2. Don\u2019t get overly concerned about titles.<\/strong> #3. Follow the instructions.<\/strong> #4. Once you choose your recommenders, get together and coach them.<\/strong> Meet with your recommenders and walk them through your resume, refreshing their memories on your achievements and the ways you\u2019ve demonstrated excellence. (Remember \u2013 everyone is busy, so don\u2019t assume they\u2019ll just recall every time you did a good job.) Share your goals and why you think business school will help you achieve them. Having the conversation on the front end is critical to ensuring consistency and coherence across your application. The additional plus is this kind of dialogue may elicit insights you haven\u2019t heard about how your contributions or abilities are perceived, offering perspectives on your candidacy you may not have considered yourself.<\/p>\n #5. Stay in regular touch.<\/strong> Finally, circle back with your recommender with a timely and sincere appreciation for their support \u2013 no matter the outcome. If you\u2019re accepted, they\u2019ll want to celebrate with you, and if not, you\u2019ll want to affirm their continued support if you elect to reapply.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nYour recommender should speak to your specific accomplishments and achievements, the high quality of your work, and your potential to excel in business school and beyond. Make sure that your recommender is someone who will take the time to write a thorough and supportive letter, detailing examples that speak to your teamwork, presentation skills and leadership potential. This person should be a direct supervisor, ideally. But if you can\u2019t ask your supervisor, choose someone you\u2019ve worked for in the recent past with insight into your qualities, assets and potential. This can be an indirect supervisor \u2013 a manager from another department, someone who has overseen a project you\u2019ve supported, or a client (especially if you\u2019re self-employed). Alternately, someone you\u2019ve worked with on a pro bono or volunteer project where you made a significant impact (i.e. outside of your regular job) can also bring a great perspective to your application. Such insight can really underscore that you\u2019ll be a great contributor to the community during your time in business school.<\/p>\n
\nFor example, it\u2019s a mistake to push for a recommendation from the CEO you\u2019ve never worked with personally \u2013 even if she thinks you do good work and remembers your name. While those individuals might offer a positive recommendation, their letters tend to be generic. If you actually work closely with the CEO or a C-suite executive, of course it\u2019s a great person to ask, but if he or she can\u2019t provide specific illustrations of your performance, or discuss your potential and strengths in any depth, go with somebody who can. Business schools aren\u2019t impressed by fancy titles or big names when it\u2019s evident that you haven\u2019t worked together closely.<\/p>\n
\nSome programs ask explicitly for letters from a current supervisor, or someone who has known you for a certain length of time. So make sure you read the instructions carefully and that you\u2019re choosing recommenders your schools are looking for, as the nuance can vary from program to program.<\/p>\n
\nYour recommenders may be accomplished professionals, but don\u2019t make the mistake of assuming they know exactly what they\u2019re supposed to do. Set them up for success by walking them through the process, emphasizing the importance of depth, details and anecdotes to address your contributions and cite specific situations. This doesn\u2019t mean scripting them on what to write \u2013 you want your recommenders\u2019 authentic voices to come through in their responses. But you also don\u2019t want them to dive in without context \u2013 especially if they\u2019re unfamiliar with what writing a business school letter of recommendation entails. It\u2019s unfortunate when someone assumes it\u2019s enough to write positive yet generic phrases like, \u201cSally is the top performer on my team.\u201d Business schools want substance, with stories that credibly back up the fact that you\u2019re an incredible person and top employee with enormous future potential.<\/p>\n
\nStay connected with your recommenders as deadlines approach by maintaining consistent communication, following up to ensure they\u2019re aware of your deadlines. Everyone is juggling competing priorities, so you\u2019ll want to stay front of mind (without becoming a pest!).<\/p>\n