Help: Need advice on requesting recommendaitions!
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29 Sep 2010, 08:53
Dear forumers,
I want to thank you again for all the good advise you have provided me before.
After talking to Admissions personnel and taking a few informational interviews, I have finally made the decision to apply this year, for Fall 2011 entrance. As they say, it doesn't hurt to try.
For me, the biggest hurdle right now towards completing application profile is getting recommenders aligned. I have two recommenders in mind who I think are in the best position to provide recommendations, but asking them may present some risk to my career in present company.
1) Potential recommender #1 is a supervisor whom I worked closely with over last year. He recently indicated he wants me back on my old role at the company; I was reluctant to return to my old role because it would not present a clear career progression (I would essentially be doing something I did 1 year ago). I can get his recommendation, but am sure he will again request that I come back to the old role. How can I best get him on board with the recommendation while politically declining to go back to the old role?
2) Potential recommender #2 is my 'career counselor' or mentor that my company assigned to me over the years. I would prefer his recommendation because he has known me for 3+ years, and he can strengthen evidence of clear career progression and process to the admissions committee. The risk is that, being my 'career counselor', he has also great say in my annual ratings and promotion chances. If I communicate to him directly that I plan to leave the company in 1 year, it would do my career at this company no good service (would be in bad situation if I cannot get into any of my top choice schools). If he says 'no' to recommendation, then it would be negative. This is a high risk/high reward situation. Have any of you approached a similiar situation before?
I want to thank you again in advance for your replies and feedback. I plan to approach the two potential recommenders in the next 1-2 weeks so that they have plenty of advanced notice to write the recommendation letters. It would be great if I can incorporate your valuable feedback when considering my approach strategy.
Thanks!
pinecrest