Application reference for MBA program

Question

Dear GMAT community, 
I am working in the consulting function as a research analyst and would be applying to ISB this year. I had a question regarding references. 
What would be more impactful a reference from the director (has 20 year experience, leads team) or from the consultant (4 year experience, leads projects) I have worked directly with?

Would be really grateful. 
Thanks

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

pranavchaudhryy:
All things equal, someone who you have directly worked with, will have greater weight in your LORs, but the tone of the letter, and the things said about you will make a world of difference. 
But then, if only the world was so black and white.... There is a reason most aspirants working with top consultants get good admissions, and top dollar scholarships. In fact more aspirants from Big-4 or the top Investment Banks get rejected than selected, and one of the big reasons is that the applications are not paid their due importance, the stories not crafted well, or the strengths not highlighted enough.

Best of Luck

Admissionado · Answer

pranavchaudhryy :

The answer is very clear to us: go with the consultant. Setting aside title, rank, etc., the two most important criteria in selecting recommenders are:

(a) Does this person know you well?
(b) Do you trust this person?

It sounds like (b) is less of an issue, but that (a) clearly favors the consultant.

At the end of the day, unless the recommender is an influential alumnus and/or someone truly famous, the AdCom tends to care more about what they say about you and less what about what that person has achieved in their own career.

Suraj0184 · Answer

Reference from a director, with 20 years' experience, will be more apt.

ARINGO · Answer

The level of excitement that the recommender demonstrates, and the reasons for this excitement (supporting examples), are most important. Also, the longer and more intense the acquaintance is, the better, and recommendations that attest to the candidate's leadership and management background are preferred. For more tips on selecting MBA recommenders, please visit: https://aringo.com/hacking-the-mba-appl ... plication/

Application reference for MBA program

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