Letters of Rec Timing

Question

Hey all,

How much time are you giving the folks writing your recommendations? And are you using the same people for each application?

Any other best practices for this piece of the app would be appreciated. 

Gracias, 

Jamie

lanter1 · Answer

I would give them two months. This will give them time to do good work for you. 

I am using the same two for all of mine.

riverripper · Answer

There is a great deal of overlap, far more than essays. So I am using the same two recommenders for all of mine (4 R1 with maybe 2 R2). I have already arranged for them to provide recommendations, given them the forms, and other helpful materials. The first two are due in mid Oct and then the others are a few weeks after that. 

Give them as much time as you can that way they have the time to put together as solid of recs as they can instead of slapping something together. You never know who is going to have to travel for business, go on vacation, or have something else come up so I would give a minimum of at least a month.

dabots · Answer

i approached mine in july...gave them a package of materials in early august...checkpoint next week...i hope they have worked on them

im using the same 2 people for my 3 apps in r1

JamieK · Answer

Thanks. I've got the people lined up to do it, but haven't shared the info with them yet - I though two months might be too long a timeframe and that they'd push it to the side. But now we're nearing in on around a month and a half, so it's time to bring them the details.

Thanks yall, 

Jamie

shmegs · Answer

I approached my recommenders in early July, gave them the list of schools and materials in mid August, need to follow up this week.

kryzak · Answer

I approached mine in June/July. Had first meetings with them last week and this week to explain the process and let them "back out" if they want. In the next couple weeks (early Sept) I will give them all the forms, tips, resume, goals, and talking points (in outline) form for each school so they can start writing. 

I plan on a 2 week checkpoint method to make sure they're on track.

zakk · Answer

I touched base with mine 2 months ago and asked if they would be willing. About 2 weeks ago, I gave them the B-school recommendation letter primer that I stole from on here and made it specific for the schools I was applying to. Each were very open and asked what "feel" I was going for so I have my previous boss talking about my ability to go to school and produce great work (applying to P/T programs) and applying knowledge quickly, and my current director going over my aptitude to tackle new projects, amazing time management, and ability to handle often conflicting priorities. 

Pick two that will give different angles of the same topic: why you are the pick of the litter of all applicants.

JamieK · Answer

One challenge I've having with my current role is finding the right person to do my review... The prob is that I'm in a corp rotational program, so I have a new director every 4-6 months. I could get a letter from the GM, but I don't know how specific it would be because he's not that close to my day-to-day work.

toDoorNot · Answer

Ok i am in a somewhat similar situation.. i work in an IT company and work more closely with my client rather than with my boss. So would it work to have a client recommend me. Also, both the recommenders i am planning to use have known me for only around a year..Is that ok.. or should i get some recommendations from my earlier Manager/boss (PS i have not told them that i am applying to BSchools..my promotion is right around the corner and i dont want them to feel that they dont need to give me one as i will be leaving them soon)

kripalkavi · Answer

I approached mine in July. Will follow up this week.

Letters of Rec Timing

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