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jhri188
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Letter of support 13 Aug 2024, 19:44
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How many letters of support are too many? I currently have 4 alum/current students willing to write me one, but don’t want to come off too strong or seem inauthentic.

Note: this is different from a letter of recommendation and is a student/alumni reaching out to state I would be a good addition to the school.

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Letter of support 13 Aug 2024, 21:42
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jhri188
How many letters of support are too many? I currently have 4 alum/current students willing to write me one, but don’t want to come off too strong or seem inauthentic.

Note: this is different from a letter of recommendation and is a student/alumni reaching out to state I would be a good addition to the school.

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jhri188 - I would say that the depth of your letters of support (i.e. how well they know you, specific anecdotes, etc.) will matter more than the number of letters. So prioritize accordingly.

A strong letter of support is from someone who knows you well (for a good period of time) and can write specific instances of their experiences with you, highlighting your traits/ strengths and how you'd fit with the B-school community. The last thing you want is to overwhelm the AdCom with too many letters offering similar and/ or surface-level insights.

Hope this helps.

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Letter of support 13 Aug 2024, 22:58
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jhri188
How many letters of support are too many? I currently have 4 alum/current students willing to write me one, but don’t want to come off too strong or seem inauthentic.

Note: this is different from a letter of recommendation and is a student/alumni reaching out to state I would be a good addition to the school.

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­Hi jhri188,

Generally, 2-3 letters of support are sufficient for most MBA programs. While having additional letters might seem beneficial, it can also create the impression of over-reliance on external validation.

Focus on securing strong letters from individuals who can provide unique insights into your qualifications. Ensure the letters cover different aspects of your profile (e.g., academic, professional, extracurricular). Some schools have specific requirements regarding the number and types of letters of support.

To maximize the impact of your letters, choose individuals who can speak directly to your strengths and fit with the program. Offer your recommenders specific guidance on what to highlight in their letters.

Would you like to discuss your potential recommenders and how to optimize their letters? Our MBA experts can provide tailored guidance. Feel free to schedule a complimentary call with our experts or contact us at +91 7780769732.
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Letter of support 14 Aug 2024, 01:41
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­We recommend up to two supporters per school.
Support letters must feel and be authentic. Therefore, they should be different for each “supporter” and each candidate.
The support letter is written in an informal “internal memo style” to the admission committee or, preferably, to a specific admissions officer that is responsible for your region. It could also be addressed to the head of admissions.

For more info on Letter of support for MBA applications, please visit: https://aringo.com/emails/support-emails/
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Letter of support 25 Apr 2025, 00:08
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I think 2-3 personal, heartfelt letters is best. Too many can be seen as “over-promoting” – I’ve read similar views, worth considering!
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Letter of support 25 Apr 2025, 06:22
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This is a great question, especially as MBA applicants are increasingly leveraging their networks to support their candidacy. You’re absolutely right to consider the fine line between showing strong community engagement and overdoing it to the point where your efforts might seem inauthentic. Letters of support from current students or alumni, distinct from official letters of recommendation, can serve as a valuable endorsement of your fit within a school’s community. However, they should be handled with care.

Generally speaking, 1-2 well-written and personalized letters of support are sufficient. These letters should come from individuals who genuinely know you and can speak credibly to your values, character, and alignment with the school’s culture. If you go beyond 2-3, adcoms may begin to feel that you’re trying too hard, especially if the letters repeat similar sentiments or seem superficial. The quality and uniqueness of each endorsement matter far more than the number. If all 4 individuals have truly different perspectives to offer, for instance, one highlighting your leadership in a student organization, another your academic rigor, another your potential in a target industry, and one your cultural fit, it may be possible to include more than 2. But this only works if each message adds distinct value and is coordinated thoughtfully. Additionally, each school has different norms regarding these types of endorsements. Also, be sure to check the school's policy, some programs have explicit channels for additional letters, while others may discourage unsolicited materials.

To make the most of these offers of support, choose the 2-3 individuals who are most likely to provide a credible and compelling voice to your story. Help them understand what to highlight by sharing your MBA goals, your narrative, and what differentiates you as a candidate. This alignment can significantly enhance the authenticity and strategic impact of their support.

Lastly, would encourage applicants to reflect on how well these supporters know you, whether their perspectives complement your application narrative, and how their involvement might best support your overall candidacy.

Good luck everyone : )
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Letter of support 25 Apr 2025, 16:42
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jhri188
How many letters of support are too many? I currently have 4 alum/current students willing to write me one, but don’t want to come off too strong or seem inauthentic.

Note: this is different from a letter of recommendation and is a student/alumni reaching out to state I would be a good addition to the school.

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Just wondering how well you know these four people? In my opinion, 1-2 references should be enough with the person being able to say things about you that are meaningful to a b-school from an admissions perspective.
Oftentimes I have read reference letters where the alumnus/ student referee doesn't know the applicant well and makes a superficial endorsement. Steer away from doing this as it will add no value to your application and will juts be annoying for the adcom.
Also, be sure to check the b-school's requirements on the reference as many don't accept these.

Out of curiosity- are you waitlisted or did you apply in R3? Which application cycle are you submitting these for?

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