Sorry
saadim I realize that you might not be in a place to know this, and I don't mean to make you feel bad
but what you are saying about recommendation letters being only a formality IS COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY WRONG. I hope everyone reads this post. In actuality, recommendation letters are
weighted THE SAME AS THE APPLICATION ESSAYS based on an extensive survey of admissions committees and for executive MBA applicants, weighted almost twice as much as the essays. Think about it: what do you trust more, what someone says about themselves or what their peers and managers say about them?
Using a copy/paste approach to applications is a sure-fire way to be dinged. It makes a lot of sense: I am recruiting for a position right now and if I don't feel they are speaking to what I wrote in the job description I will disregard their application straight away.
I do encourage applicants to apply strategically, and that means
leaning towards schools with the common letter of recommendation. This speaks to strengths, response to feedback, and an optional section. This makes it easy on recommenders, and most importantly, makes everything less work so you can submit more apps, more times at bat.
But if the questions are different, only a fool would disregard those differences and paste their square response into a round hole.
If you are going about this process thinking of convenience to the recommender, well, I would suggest you value yourself more. When it comes to recommenders, my main questions are 1.) have they personally observed you demonstrating leadership, teamwork and problem-solving? and 2.) will they champion you, are they coachable, will they be willing to take out the time needed to get this right?
Because if they don't fit criteria #2 its a DEALBREAKER. Go to someone else. It is way way more important to work with someone who is willing to invest time and knows you well than someone high-ranking. High-ranking is bullshit.
I had a client who try to get a recommendation 2 levels up and this recommender BAILED when he realized it was more than a generic letter we needed. He gave us some crappy little generic statement and when that wasn't good enough he said sorry can't help you.
At the last minute we had to scramble and find another option. Thankfully we found an internal client who was eager to help and cooperative, the letter ended up being great. He got into Wharton with
zero manager recommendations with a 650. And he is not URM.
Anyways, recommendations matter, you matter, recruit people who are supportive and willing to do what you need to get the admit you want. End rant!@#$
saadim wrote:
A word of advice which worked for me as well. Use same recommendation letter for each university if word count and questions are same. Saves recommendor and applicants precious time. Letters are only formality anyways as admissions would be decided based on scores and your profile
Posted from my mobile device
24 Jul 2019, 13:48
close
