MBA without recommendations

Question

Hello everyone,

As you noted from the subject line, I am thinking about applying to an MBA program; however, I most likely will not have the recommendations from my supervisors. Let me explain... I am a J.D. and LL.M. My current employer is my only employer; I work in a small specialized sub-group and have worked with the same 4 people since graduation. So you see my dilemma... they will be suprised that I am even considering going back to school. Also, in case I don't get in, I don't want them thinking / knowing that I won't be staying much longer. My motivation and career potential of an MBA aside, are there any MBA programs that do not require letters of recommendations worth attending?

Thank you everyone for your inputs.

J.

GMATLA · Answer

I would say that there probably isn't a top 50 school that doesn't require atleast one recommendation letter... most require multiple letters. If you can't look to people you work with for recommendation letters, I would branch out to other sources. Take a look at my post here: how-to-pick-a-recommender-129379.html

Good luck!

sausagenpeppers · Answer

Wash U's business school, Olin, does not require any recommendations. It ranks around the top 25 in the U.S. As for whether it is worth it, that is entirely up to you and what you are looking to achieve by receiving an MBA.

Swoosh617 · Answer

When it comes to recommendations, do top MBA schools expect you to have different sources? Basically, if I have two letters from two different people in my company, does that not hold as much weight?

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Getting recs from two different people within the same company is fine. In fact that's what many people do. For most of my recs I used my current supervisor and a past senior manager. Worked out just fine for me. Both people should be able to offer different perspectives on your work in order to get the most mileage out of your recs.

dreamchase · Answer

I plan to get my recs from my current boss and past senior manager from the same company. Though the two work profiles I have worked in are vastly different, I am not too sure about getting two "different" perspectives, considering that I still have to give them the general outline of the recs on my own. How to go about that - any ideas ?

jdnyc · Answer

I should also have noted that I am not limited to U.S. business schools. I am very much open to internal options as well.

kandyjalva · Answer

I think getting recommendation from same sources is worthy but not recommended. The admission committee wants to have a look at your application from various facets, so it is always advisable to get recommendations from people who can give different perspectives on your personality.Within the company, ensure that the reccomenders throw light on different aspects of your personality.

MBA without recommendations

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