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25 Jan 2026, 19:45
Kudos
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Hi, this is my first time writing in gmatclub and I’m still a little confused on how all this works.
I need a Letter of Recommendation from my internship boss and he wants me to write it myself and send it to him.
I am taking this as a good sign that he trusts me (?) and
I would like some guidance as to how to recommend myself (not under/over selling) and of course, for this LoR to make my profile stronger.
Thank you.
I need a Letter of Recommendation from my internship boss and he wants me to write it myself and send it to him.
I am taking this as a good sign that he trusts me (?) and
I would like some guidance as to how to recommend myself (not under/over selling) and of course, for this LoR to make my profile stronger.
Thank you.
04 Feb 2026, 05:08
Kudos
Bookmarks
We want to start with an important caution: writing your own recommendation letter is generally not advised, and most admissions consultants would recommend against it.
Why this approach is risky:
-AdComs are experienced at detecting self-written recommendations. The tone, language patterns, and level of detail often give it away.
-If discovered (or even suspected), it raises serious questions about your integrity and the authenticity of your application.
-It puts your recommender in an awkward position of signing off on something that may not reflect their genuine voice or observations.
-Top business schools explicitly state they want the recommender's own perspective, not a polished version filtered through the applicant.
What you should do instead:
-Have a detailed conversation with your boss. Share your MBA goals, the schools you're targeting, and 2-3 specific projects or situations where you performed well. Give them the raw material to write from.
-Provide a "brag sheet" listing your key accomplishments, skills demonstrated, and any challenges you overcame. This helps busy recommenders without putting words in their mouth.
-Share the recommendation questions from your target schools so they know what to address.
Offer to answer any questions they have as they write.
If your boss is genuinely too busy or insists you draft something, consider whether this is the right recommender for your application. A slightly less senior person who will write authentically is often better than a senior person who won't engage with the process.
The fact that your boss trusts you is positive, but channel that trust into a collaborative process rather than a ghostwritten letter. Happy to discuss alternative approaches if you'd like.
Why this approach is risky:
-AdComs are experienced at detecting self-written recommendations. The tone, language patterns, and level of detail often give it away.
-If discovered (or even suspected), it raises serious questions about your integrity and the authenticity of your application.
-It puts your recommender in an awkward position of signing off on something that may not reflect their genuine voice or observations.
-Top business schools explicitly state they want the recommender's own perspective, not a polished version filtered through the applicant.
What you should do instead:
-Have a detailed conversation with your boss. Share your MBA goals, the schools you're targeting, and 2-3 specific projects or situations where you performed well. Give them the raw material to write from.
-Provide a "brag sheet" listing your key accomplishments, skills demonstrated, and any challenges you overcame. This helps busy recommenders without putting words in their mouth.
-Share the recommendation questions from your target schools so they know what to address.
Offer to answer any questions they have as they write.
If your boss is genuinely too busy or insists you draft something, consider whether this is the right recommender for your application. A slightly less senior person who will write authentically is often better than a senior person who won't engage with the process.
The fact that your boss trusts you is positive, but channel that trust into a collaborative process rather than a ghostwritten letter. Happy to discuss alternative approaches if you'd like.
04 Feb 2026, 18:49
Kudos
Bookmarks
GyanOne
Hi. Thank you very much for your insight. I also plan to apply to top bs. I have asked for an LoR though my old boss’ secretary and she told me to draft one up and she presented it to him for approval. Speaking frankly, my old “direct” boss left the company and my mentor wouldn’t write me one, so I’m stuck with this. Would you be so kind to take a look at it or what should I do in this situation?
