Kenan-Flagler select the ranking question. Need clarification.

Question

Hi guys,

My ex-boss finally contacted me to discuss some points of recommendation. Most doubtful is the last question in Kenan-Flagler set that sounds:

Actually, I am also confused a bit cause I have no idea what exactly they want to know here about me or my ex-boss. Should he point out all the employees he worked with in same role as I did and compare their performance with mine? Or just the size of representative pool? Any input would be well appreciated.

gcb09173 · Answer

Think their asking him to state what pool he sees you in generally.

Probably best to ask him to rank you against other mba candidates or mba students? and what theyre looking for is high ratings - they want to know whether he thinks you are in the top of your 'peer group' and in what areas are you vastly more skilled in - what are your development areas.

They might then look to see if you have identified the same 'weaker' areas as those you want to work on during the mba.

Basically they're looking for high ratings in whatever reference pool your boss places you.

towski · Answer

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gcb09173 · Answer

I would disagree to an extent here given the question specifies those throughout the boss's career - " best describes how this applicant compares with others you have known during your professional career"

It is not simply those at the OPs level he has managed. They are asking him to provide a relative ranking - this could be against other students when the boss himself was studying his MBA or against all individuals in his organisation? Hence this question is asking to provide the relative group that the scores relate to. If hes giving you adequate scores against a group (for example) that is post mba then they dont want to then disadvantage the OP against another applicant who's boss has ranked their capability against fresh out of college graduates.

One applicants's boss may have started his own firm and only have 10 employee's - it needs to be clear his boss is ranking his employee against all employees hes had - whilst another applicant's boss at a MBB consultancy will easily be able to rank against other 'MBA candidates'.

All they want is the rankings and information as to the 'peer group' that your boss has placed you in to provide those rankings - if he has had a lot of people at your level in your role work for him, then that should suffice (if hes only had one or two then he needs to open that group up wider).

However he 'groups' you - you want to be getting top ratings! The AdComs want to be assured that you are a top performer with significant upwards potential.

lolopolo · Answer

Thanks, with your reply the question makes sense. Will try to explain it to my ex-boss. Tricky question, answer could easily undermine all above-mentioned praises

Kenan-Flagler select the ranking question. Need clarification.

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