How far in advance can you get a recommendation letter?

Question

I apologize for my lack of complete understanding on this aspect of applications as I don't plan on applying to any programs for a couple more years and have only really been focusing on the GMAT; but I am currently working in Sydney Australia as an expat from the US and about to move back.

I've been working here for a full year at a rather small young media company and was wondering if I should go ahead and work with my boss on setting up a recommendation letter for the future? I very much respect him as a person and successful entrepreneur so while I realize there may be better people later on I know I would not regret getting a recommendation from him.

So my question is essentially is it too early or perhaps there is something I am unaware of as in the recommendation formats vary too much from school to school to really have a more generic one prepared? I want to strike while the iron is hot and he remembers me and the hard work I've put in this last year.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Cameron

stevkang8 · Answer

I highly recommend you to wait.

I am currently in this process, and what I see is that many schools change their recommendation questions every year. There are always common elements, but the questions are seldom identical. I started talking to my manager and other managers I worked for about a month before most of the applications opened to see if they were willing to. Once the apps opened, I put their names down and have the system send out the recommendation requests to them around early/mid August. Some of them are pretty straight forward questions so I did not have to assist them. Some questions are not so straight forward, so I had to summarize what they could say about me for them first, and ask them to check the guidelines before they actually start writing them and submitting them.

If you do it now and apply in two years, many info will be outdated - which is a good thing because it means your will have grown during the next two years. And you don't even know if you will have another manager who will be even more supportive in vouching for you. You also run the risk of having your company suspecting that you might leave anytime - which is not necessarily a good thing for you to stay and grow there.

Just my two cents, do what you feel is the best move! Good luck!

redfield · Answer

So if someone is going to write a recommendation letter for you they essentially have to write 3-5 or however many schools you're applying to?

stevkang8 · Answer

Hey redfield,

That is correct - for most of the good schools. Assuming you have decent undergrad gpa (say 3.3+), and an awesome GMAT score (say 750+), then you will be looking at top 10 or top 20. I can assure you that ALL of them have different questions. For example, Carnegie Mellon focuses on your potential and coach-ability,

" If you were to coach this candidate with respect to how s/he works within a team, what would you advise that s/he does well? What would you advise the candidate to do differently? Provide specific examples that support your advice.

If you were to coach this candidate on his/her professional development, in what areas would you suggest s/he focus? What are the areas of strength on which s/he can build? Provide specific examples that support your advice."

Whereas MIT got a more well-rounded approach in this regard,
 
" 1. How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?

2. How does the applicant stand out from others in a similar capacity?

3. Please give an example of the applicant's impact on a person, group, or organization.

4. Please give a representative example of how the applicant interacts with other people.

5. Which of the applicant's personal or professional characteristics would you change?

6. Please tell us anything else you think we should know about this applicant."

And Notre Dame (top 30) focuses on the details, and asks your recommender to rate you on your ethics. So if you try to have a one-size-fits-all recommendation letter, then you will get into.....none of the schools.

That being said, I did hear that most second or third tier schools are okay with just receiving a recommendation letter on its own. So if those are the ones you're aiming for, getting one will suffice.

Either way, I think it's better to wait out for a bit so your manager gets to know you better - and you get to know your manager better to know if you should even ask him or her.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Totally agree with the above, you will want to wait because responses to recommendation questions are highly specific so the old school blanket recommendation does not really work for b-school. Each school has highly specific questions that you will want your interviewer to respond to in a specific fashion. Also, over time you should also continue to grow so you will want the freshest anecdotes included in any recommendation particularly as you are promoted and experience greater achievements and impact in your career.

It is good to start the conversation early with potential recommenders because you can get their buy-in early and cultivate the relationship early so they feel more invested in the process.

Good Luck!

It is good to start the conversation early with potential recommenders because you can get their buy-in early and cultivate the relationship early so they feel more invested in the process.

Good Luck!

How far in advance can you get a recommendation letter?

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