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21 Jul 2021, 19:16
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Hi,
Columbia B-school asks for just one LOR from a current direct supervisor. But what if you have not told your current employer about b-school plans or have been in the firm for only 4-5 months? Anyone here who used a recommendation from a former supervisor or know someone who did? Just trying to understand how stringent this requirement is from Columbia?
Columbia B-school asks for just one LOR from a current direct supervisor. But what if you have not told your current employer about b-school plans or have been in the firm for only 4-5 months? Anyone here who used a recommendation from a former supervisor or know someone who did? Just trying to understand how stringent this requirement is from Columbia?
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21 Jul 2021, 19:54
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Nik439:
It's not an issue if you can't get a current supervisor or someone else from your current employer. Not everyone is in a position to ask their current employer for support to ultimately leave their company.
At the end of the day, you must select someone who (a) knows you well and (b) you can trust to deliver for you. All other considerations after that (relative seniority, current company, supervisor, etc.) are added bonuses. The LOR requirements aren't that strict for CBS (and mostly everywhere else) but if you do not go with someone from your current employer and/or a supervisor, then note that briefly in the optional essay. A simple one or two sentence explanation should suffice.
Good luck!
It's not an issue if you can't get a current supervisor or someone else from your current employer. Not everyone is in a position to ask their current employer for support to ultimately leave their company.
At the end of the day, you must select someone who (a) knows you well and (b) you can trust to deliver for you. All other considerations after that (relative seniority, current company, supervisor, etc.) are added bonuses. The LOR requirements aren't that strict for CBS (and mostly everywhere else) but if you do not go with someone from your current employer and/or a supervisor, then note that briefly in the optional essay. A simple one or two sentence explanation should suffice.
Good luck!
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22 Jul 2021, 07:14
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Hi Nik439,
While your LOR should preferably come from your current employer, the most important thing about a recommendation is the quality of what they write. The best MBA letters of recommendation show an intimate familiarity with the candidate, so selecting a former supervisor can certainly work. This supervisor should also be familiar with your peers and be able to talk about how you compare.
Personal MBA Coach provides LOR support via our comprehensive packages, and has a former Columbia Business School admissions director on our team! We can guide you through selecting the ideal recommenders and preparing them so your LORs shine and align with your overall application. Feel free to send a note to [email protected] to learn how we can help set you up for success!
Best,
Personal MBA Coach
While your LOR should preferably come from your current employer, the most important thing about a recommendation is the quality of what they write. The best MBA letters of recommendation show an intimate familiarity with the candidate, so selecting a former supervisor can certainly work. This supervisor should also be familiar with your peers and be able to talk about how you compare.
Personal MBA Coach provides LOR support via our comprehensive packages, and has a former Columbia Business School admissions director on our team! We can guide you through selecting the ideal recommenders and preparing them so your LORs shine and align with your overall application. Feel free to send a note to [email protected] to learn how we can help set you up for success!
Best,
Personal MBA Coach
Nik439
