2018 MBA Recommendation Questions
I am applying to a bunch of MBA programs this year and managing recommendations have been a huge pain in my derriere. So I decided I will compile all the questions at one place for all the top schools for everyone in my boat.
2017-2018 HBS Recommendation QuestionsPlease respond to both questions below in a single document.
1. How do the applicant’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (Recommended: 300 words)
2. Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Recommended: 250 words)
2017-2018 Dartmouth / Tuck Recommendation QuestionsIn one document, please answer the following questions. To be sure to address all of the questions, you may wish to number your responses (i.e. 1,2,3, and so on).
How long have you known the applicant and in what context? Have you served as the applicant’s supervisor? If so, please provide approximate dates. Please comment upon the frequency and nature of your interactions with the applicant.
What are the applicant’s three principal strengths? Please provide an example of each.
In which three areas can the applicant improve? Please provide an example of each. How has the applicant worked to address these areas?
How does the applicant respond to constructive criticism?
Describe the impressions this candidate makes in meetings, presentations, interviews or other important interactions.
If you would like to provide any additional insights into this individual’s candidacy, please feel free to do so.
2017-2018 LBS Recommendation QuestionsRecommender Comments
Please answer the following questions regarding the applicant, making sure to save your work regularly. As a guideline for completing the reference form you should aim to write no more than 500 words per question. Please note that 500 words is the maximum amount and not a requirement.
How do you know the applicant? How long have you known them for?
What would you say are the applicant’s key strengths and talents?
What would you say are the applicant’s key weaknesses or areas for improvement?
How do the applicant’s performance, potential and personal qualities compare to those of other individuals in similar roles?
What do you think this person might be doing in ten years’ time? Why?
2017-2018 Berkeley Haas Recommendation QuestionsHow does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?
Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
In the Berkeley MBA program, we develop leaders who embody our distinctive culture’s four key principles one of which is “confidence without attitude” or “confidence with humility”. Please comment on how the applicant reflects this Berkeley-Haas value.
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 Cornell MBA Recommendation QuestionsPlease provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (50 words)
How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (500 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (500 words)
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 UCLA Anderson Recommendation QuestionsPlease provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (50 words)
How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (500 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (500 words)
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 Michigan / Ross MBA Recommendation Questions1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (50 words)
2. How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths? (500 words)
3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (500 words)
4. (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 Northwestern / Kellogg Recommendation QuestionsTell us about a time the candidate was proactively open to a situation, person, or new experience: a time when they sought to engage with difference, put themselves in a situation outside of their comfort zone, or actively sought to gain a new perspective from others. (300 words)
How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)
(optional) Is there anything else you would like us to know?
2017-2018 NYU Stern Recommendation QuestionsPlease provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization.
How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similiar roles? Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 UVA Darden Recommendation QuestionsPlease answer the following questions and provide specific examples where possible.
Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (Recommended word count: 50 words)
How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Recommended word count: 500 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Recommended word count: 500 words)
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 Columbia MBA Recommendation QuestionsHow do the candidate’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
2017-2018 Stanford MBA Recommendation QuestionsHow does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (E.g., what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) – Up to 500 words
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. – Up to 500 words
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 MIT Sloan Recommendation QuestionsPlease answer the following questions and provide specific examples where possible.
Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (Recommended word count: 50 words)
How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Recommended word count: 500 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Recommended word count: 500 words)
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 Yale SOM Recommendation QuestionsPlease write an assessment of the applicant that addresses the prompts below. We are looking for your candid and accurate assessment of the applicant’s potential to be a successful leader and the specific traits the applicant possesses that evidence this potential. Please be as specific as possible and use concrete examples where applicable. Do not incorporate anything drafted by the candidate in your recommendation or have the candidate submit the recommendation on your behalf. Please note that Yale SOM welcomes you to upload and submit letters of recommendation written in Chinese (Mandarin) or Spanish. Yale University will be responsible for providing a translation to English for review by the Office of Admissions.
Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (Recommended word count: 50 words)
How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Recommended word count: 500 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Recommended word count: 500 words)
Are you in a position to know whether the applicant is sponsored for the MBA by his or her current employer? If so, please comment.
(optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 INSEAD Recommendation Questions1. Comment on the candidate’s career progress to date and his/her career focus.
2. What do you consider to be the candidate’s major strengths? Comment on the factors that distinguish the candidate from other individuals at his/her level.
3. What do you consider to be the candidate’s major weaknesses?
4. Comment on the candidate’s potential for senior management. Do you see him/her as a future leader?
5. Describe the candidate as a person. Comment on his/her ability to establish and maintain relationships, sensitivity to others, self-confidence, attitude, etc. Specifically comment on the candidate’s behaviour or skills in a group setting/team environment.
2017-2018 Wharton Recommendation QuestionsPlease provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success in the Wharton MBA classroom. (Word count: 300)
Please provide example(s) that illustrate why you believe this candidate will find success throughout their career. (Word count: 300)
(Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
2017-2018 Chicago Booth Recommendation Questions How do the applicant’s performance, potential, background or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified candidates in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
McDonough and Babson Recommendation Questions
ISB Recommendation Questions
The Consortium Recommendation Questions
CMU Tepper Recommendation Questions
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