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vixer
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 14:16
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I have some kind of special circumstances, so I have come up with the following:

My direct supervisor won't write for me, as I would leave the company upon matriculation, so I have worked with six coworkers and friends in writing for six schools. Some only wrote for one school, others wrote for up to three. As such, I want to give gifts somewhat proportionally to effort expended.

I am giving each person a shirt or sweatshirt to the school they wrote for (this is around $25-$35, appropriate) and in the end, once I am accepted, I will get each of the six a nice pen, perhaps engraved. I figure a pen is appropriate considering the nature of the task. It does feel a bit weird buying school-branded stuff before I am accepted, but I figure that since I'm not the person wearing it it's not as weird. I don't know if any of them will wear it, but the response so far has been good (better than with chocolates, which I gave to my Wharton recommenders).
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 14:24
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vixer
I have some kind of special circumstances, so I have come up with the following:

My direct supervisor won't write for me, as I would leave the company upon matriculation, so I have worked with six coworkers and friends in writing for six schools. Some only wrote for one school, others wrote for up to three. As such, I want to give gifts somewhat proportionally to effort expended.

I am giving each person a shirt or sweatshirt to the school they wrote for (this is around $25-$35, appropriate) and in the end, once I am accepted, I will get each of the six a nice pen, perhaps engraved. I figure a pen is appropriate considering the nature of the task. It does feel a bit weird buying school-branded stuff before I am accepted, but I figure that since I'm not the person wearing it it's not as weird. I don't know if any of them will wear it, but the response so far has been good (better than with chocolates, which I gave to my Wharton recommenders).
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If they like it, go for it, but this seems strange to me. They have no reason to care about the schools they are recommending you to. If someone asked me to write them a recommendation to the University of Michigan and then bought me a Michigan shirt, I would feel compelled to burn it. But that's just because Michigan sucks.
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 16:57
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vixer
I have some kind of special circumstances, so I have come up with the following:

My direct supervisor won't write for me, as I would leave the company upon matriculation, so I have worked with six coworkers and friends in writing for six schools. Some only wrote for one school, others wrote for up to three. As such, I want to give gifts somewhat proportionally to effort expended.

I am giving each person a shirt or sweatshirt to the school they wrote for (this is around $25-$35, appropriate) and in the end, once I am accepted, I will get each of the six a nice pen, perhaps engraved. I figure a pen is appropriate considering the nature of the task. It does feel a bit weird buying school-branded stuff before I am accepted, but I figure that since I'm not the person wearing it it's not as weird. I don't know if any of them will wear it, but the response so far has been good (better than with chocolates, which I gave to my Wharton recommenders).
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I thought most schools don't accept recommendations from co-workers and friends?
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 17:43
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The only one I used a "friend" on was Chicago. Here is what they state:

Chicago Booth Application Instructions
The second letter of recommendation can also be professional but it is not required. If you would like to provide a recommendation that extends beyond your work environment you are welcome to do so. Examples may include but are not limited to a mentor, a professor, or a person you work closely with in a volunteer capacity. These letters can give us a different perspective of your skill sets outside of your professional environment. There is no preference on who supplies your second letter of recommendation our only guideline is it should add new and valuable insights to your qualifications.
Whomever you choose to write your recommendation make sure they know you well and can offer specific examples of your performance and contributions to the organization.
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Also, I am curious who you used for your second recommendation in your apps, considering your claim that coworkers should not be used. Do you have two current direct supervisors? Did you pull a professor from 5 years ago? A former supervisor from 4?

The only app I used my direct supervisor for was Wharton, and that didn't really pan out. With colleagues as recommenders, I am 2 for 2 for interviews.
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 18:10
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vixer
The only one I used a "friend" on was Chicago. Here is what they state:

Chicago Booth Application Instructions
The second letter of recommendation can also be professional but it is not required. If you would like to provide a recommendation that extends beyond your work environment you are welcome to do so. Examples may include but are not limited to a mentor, a professor, or a person you work closely with in a volunteer capacity. These letters can give us a different perspective of your skill sets outside of your professional environment. There is no preference on who supplies your second letter of recommendation our only guideline is it should add new and valuable insights to your qualifications.
Whomever you choose to write your recommendation make sure they know you well and can offer specific examples of your performance and contributions to the organization.

Also, I am curious who you used for your second recommendation in your apps, considering your claim that coworkers should not be used. Do you have two current direct supervisors? Did you pull a professor from 5 years ago? A former supervisor from 4?

The only app I used my direct supervisor for was Wharton, and that didn't really pan out. With colleagues as recommenders, I am 2 for 2 for interviews.
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I work in advisory (consulting/audit) so I have at least a dozen "supervisors" who could technically write recommendations - every engagement I work on has a different manager. I'm surprised recommendations from colleagues are accepted.. I guess it worked out well in your case!
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 18:14
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staind
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The only one I used a "friend" on was Chicago. Here is what they state:

Chicago Booth Application Instructions
The second letter of recommendation can also be professional but it is not required. If you would like to provide a recommendation that extends beyond your work environment you are welcome to do so. Examples may include but are not limited to a mentor, a professor, or a person you work closely with in a volunteer capacity. These letters can give us a different perspective of your skill sets outside of your professional environment. There is no preference on who supplies your second letter of recommendation our only guideline is it should add new and valuable insights to your qualifications.
Whomever you choose to write your recommendation make sure they know you well and can offer specific examples of your performance and contributions to the organization.

Also, I am curious who you used for your second recommendation in your apps, considering your claim that coworkers should not be used. Do you have two current direct supervisors? Did you pull a professor from 5 years ago? A former supervisor from 4?

The only app I used my direct supervisor for was Wharton, and that didn't really pan out. With colleagues as recommenders, I am 2 for 2 for interviews.

I work in advisory (consulting/audit) so I have at least a dozen "supervisors" who could technically write recommendations - every engagement I work on has a different manager. I'm surprised recommendations from colleagues are accepted.. I guess it worked out well in your case!
Show more

If non-supervisory recommendations were not allowed, there would be almost no students entering business school with a general management focused background. Same could be probably said for corporate marketing.

Try to picture the frustration so many of us not currently involved in finance/consulting feel with this aspect of the application process...
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 18:26
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The only one I used a "friend" on was Chicago.

Also, I am curious who you used for your second recommendation in your apps, considering your claim that coworkers should not be used. Do you have two current direct supervisors? Did you pull a professor from 5 years ago? A former supervisor from 4?

The only app I used my direct supervisor for was Wharton, and that didn't really pan out. With colleagues as recommenders, I am 2 for 2 for interviews.

I work in advisory (consulting/audit) so I have at least a dozen "supervisors" who could technically write recommendations - every engagement I work on has a different manager. I'm surprised recommendations from colleagues are accepted.. I guess it worked out well in your case!

If non-supervisory recommendations were not allowed, there would be almost no students entering business school with a general management focused background. Same could be probably said for corporate marketing.

Try to picture the frustration so many of us not currently involved in finance/consulting feel with this aspect of the application process...
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Yeah it can definitely be the most frustrating part of the application..
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Gifts for recommenders 11 Jan 2011, 23:08
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clearly I've over spent...

I got two recommender a rally car driving experience (6 laps in a rally car doing circuits on a dirt track with full training)
The other two recommender I got them a flight experience - aerobatics in a tiger moth
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Gifts for recommenders 13 Jan 2011, 19:08
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I briefly thought about getting school related merchandise then I realized that neither really follows the college thing to closely. I got each something they would really enjoy. One is really into everything IPod (he has several). I got him a universal remote attachment (which I knew he didn’t have or wouldn’t have thought of looking for). The other is a diehard Jimmy Johnson fan (NASCAR which I know nothing about). I got him a personalized championship flag (that he could hang in his office). Both were very appreciative and I only spent about 65$. They both still check in on me occasionally to see how school is going. I think you should try to be personal with your gifts; it shows you know them as well as you’re hoping they show they know you in the recommendations you’re having them write.
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Gifts for recommenders Updated on: 13 Jan 2011, 21:47
Originally posted by piggles on 13 Jan 2011, 19:14.
Last edited by piggles on 13 Jan 2011, 21:47, edited 1 time in total.
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Booze. Everyone loves booze. Well, not everyone, but everyone who recommended me does.
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Gifts for recommenders 13 Jan 2011, 21:38
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piggles
Boos. Everyone loves boos. Well, not everyone, but everyone who recommended me does.
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Booze, you mean?

If so, Google "beer of the month club" and you'll find some options that'll deliver a 12 pack of obscure microbrews for $30-40 per month. I'm doing that for one of my recommenders and probably something similar with wine for another one.
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Gifts for recommenders 13 Jan 2011, 21:46
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Boos. Everyone loves boos. Well, not everyone, but everyone who recommended me does.

Booze, you mean?

If so, Google "beer of the month club" and you'll find some options that'll deliver a 12 pack of obscure microbrews for $30-40 per month. I'm doing that for one of my recommenders and probably something similar with wine for another one.
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Yeah, I'm drunk.
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Gifts for recommenders 14 Jan 2011, 00:36
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I bought good wine (5 bottles) to my former boss and recommender (115 Euro value), I think he liked it :D
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Gifts for recommenders 21 Jan 2011, 11:08
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one of my recommenders is in singapore.. He used to be my manager four years back.. what could i send him? by mail? any ideas? appreciate the input.
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Gifts for recommenders 21 Jan 2011, 11:25
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vixer


If non-supervisory recommendations were not allowed, there would be almost no students entering business school with a general management focused background. Same could be probably said for corporate marketing.
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Exactly. I've been working for 8 years and there are zero supervisors I could use for recommendations. I currently run my own company so no supervisor, and before then, I was a lawyer at a law firm that has a very strict policy against current employees giving any sort of references or recommendations (they don't want to get sued).

Sometimes you just have to make do.
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Gifts for recommenders 21 Jan 2011, 11:52
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piggles
Booze. Everyone loves booze. Well, not everyone, but everyone who recommended me does.
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Hear hear,

I actually bought my recommender a bottle of 18 year old scotch from the Isle. His response was that he needed a scotch after doing 7 references, the paperwork drove him insane. He growled that at least one adcom better accepts my application after all the hassle.

I bought his PA who reminded him on the deadline some fancy spa products. Thank God he has an efficient PA.
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Gifts for recommenders 21 Jan 2011, 12:01
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sdg
I briefly thought about getting school related merchandise then I realized that neither really follows the college thing to closely. I got each something they would really enjoy. One is really into everything IPod (he has several). I got him a universal remote attachment (which I knew he didn’t have or wouldn’t have thought of looking for). The other is a diehard Jimmy Johnson fan (NASCAR which I know nothing about). I got him a personalized championship flag (that he could hang in his office). Both were very appreciative and I only spent about 65$. They both still check in on me occasionally to see how school is going. I think you should try to be personal with your gifts; it shows you know them as well as you’re hoping they show they know you in the recommendations you’re having them write.
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Yeah - I've been rethinking my gifts. Less school focus.
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Gifts for recommenders 21 Jan 2011, 23:00
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Don't buy school items for your recommenders unless they are an Alum of that school. It will collect dust, its always a safe bet to get them something related to a hobby or if they are a huge sports fan of a certain team a few tickets to a game would be good.
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Gifts for recommenders 28 Jan 2011, 16:35
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I am planning on gifting an Apple TV to my recommender. He has given me over 10 recommendations. I have also promised him as many number of happy hours he wishes until the school starts!!
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Gifts for recommenders 20 Jan 2012, 09:33
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Wanted people's thoughts on a male giving his male recommender a gift basket of something like barbecue paraphernalia (sauces, rubs, cedar grilling paper, skewers, etc) or a gift basket of steaks. Barbecue + steak = manly. Gift baskets = not so much. Appropriate gift?
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