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sleepyowl8
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Need advice regarding recommender for ISB PGP YL R2 01 Feb 2025, 00:33
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Hi everyone,

I’m applying for ISB PGP YL R2 and need advice on selecting my recommender. I worked at one of the Big 4s for 15 months but haven’t been in touch with my manager or AD for a while. I also worked at a startup for 3 months, where the founder is an ISB alum, but I feel hesitant to ask him for an LOR. Between these jobs, I worked part-time (3 months) at a stealth startup and can get an LOR from the founder. Given ISB’s preference for strong recommendations, should I go ahead with the stealth startup founder or try reconnecting with my previous managers? Also, how significant is the impact of an LOR on the overall application? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!
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Need advice regarding recommender for ISB PGP YL R2 01 Feb 2025, 05:46
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sleepyowl8
Hi everyone,

I’m applying for ISB PGP YL R2 and need advice on selecting my recommender. I worked at one of the Big 4s for 15 months but haven’t been in touch with my manager or AD for a while. I also worked at a startup for 3 months, where the founder is an ISB alum, but I feel hesitant to ask him for an LOR. Between these jobs, I worked part-time (3 months) at a stealth startup and can get an LOR from the founder. Given ISB’s preference for strong recommendations, should I go ahead with the stealth startup founder or try reconnecting with my previous managers? Also, how significant is the impact of an LOR on the overall application? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!
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Recommendations are always an important part of your application.

Your managed for 15 months at a Big 4 would be best according to me.
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Need advice regarding recommender for ISB PGP YL R2 01 Feb 2025, 09:18
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Hi,

Recommendations are an important part of your ISB PGP YL application. Try to get in touch with your manager from the Big 4 project. The duration of the work - 15 months is suggestive that he has a longer visibility of your work. However, you can also take it from both the other options. Choice of recommender is always subjective to your specific case, whoever can talk about your professional acumen and growth would be a good recommender.

All the best!


sleepyowl8
Hi everyone,

I’m applying for ISB PGP YL R2 and need advice on selecting my recommender. I worked at one of the Big 4s for 15 months but haven’t been in touch with my manager or AD for a while. I also worked at a startup for 3 months, where the founder is an ISB alum, but I feel hesitant to ask him for an LOR. Between these jobs, I worked part-time (3 months) at a stealth startup and can get an LOR from the founder. Given ISB’s preference for strong recommendations, should I go ahead with the stealth startup founder or try reconnecting with my previous managers? Also, how significant is the impact of an LOR on the overall application? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!
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Need advice regarding recommender for ISB PGP YL R2 03 Feb 2025, 04:52
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sleepyowl8
Hi everyone,

I’m applying for ISB PGP YL R2 and need advice on selecting my recommender. I worked at one of the Big 4s for 15 months but haven’t been in touch with my manager or AD for a while. I also worked at a startup for 3 months, where the founder is an ISB alum, but I feel hesitant to ask him for an LOR. Between these jobs, I worked part-time (3 months) at a stealth startup and can get an LOR from the founder. Given ISB’s preference for strong recommendations, should I go ahead with the stealth startup founder or try reconnecting with my previous managers? Also, how significant is the impact of an LOR on the overall application? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!
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Hello sleepyowl8,

The ideal situation would be for you to get in touch with your manager (from the Big 4 firm); the others would, at best, be alternatives.

Thanks.

All the best!
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Need advice regarding recommender for ISB PGP YL R2 03 Feb 2025, 12:47
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sleepyowl8
Hi everyone,

I’m applying for ISB PGP YL R2 and need advice on selecting my recommender. I worked at one of the Big 4s for 15 months but haven’t been in touch with my manager or AD for a while. I also worked at a startup for 3 months, where the founder is an ISB alum, but I feel hesitant to ask him for an LOR. Between these jobs, I worked part-time (3 months) at a stealth startup and can get an LOR from the founder. Given ISB’s preference for strong recommendations, should I go ahead with the stealth startup founder or try reconnecting with my previous managers? Also, how significant is the impact of an LOR on the overall application? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!
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Dear sleepyowl8

We wish to emphasize that the recommender must be ideally someone who has directly supervised / evaluated your work in some capacity over a decent enough period of time so that they can thoughtfully explain your profile since ISB releases a very comprehensive questionnaire for feedback which covers your strengths, improvement areas and specific impactful instances.

Having said that, we believe your manager with whom you worked at Big 4s becomes the ideal choice for recommender as you worked there 15 months giving him/her ample instances to substantiate what he/she fills for you for feedback.

We will be happy to discuss more in case of any queries. You can block a 15 min session with us at: https://calendly.com/reachusfly/15min/

Warm regards,
Team FLY
https://www.teamfly.org/
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Need advice regarding recommender for ISB PGP YL R2 03 Feb 2025, 22:00
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sleepyowl8

Recommendations are very important as they reflect an applicant's potential to earn the goodwill of their superiors/mentors/supervisors/colleagues. Individuals who are unable to secure strong LORs miss out on the edge they need to prevail in the highly competitive admissions process. You can get your letter of recommendation from either your former or current supervisor, depending on how good your rapport is with each other and how open they would be about your contributions. Ask them to provide many examples of your initiatives. You will only receive marks for the examples in the LORs. Generic language is not considered a strong indication of your contribution. I am sure these old posts of mine will help you. You can contact me for a more in-depth discussion.


The Secret Sauce for Outstanding Letters of Recommendation : MBA Archive

How To Select Your Recommenders : The B-School Applications

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­
sleepyowl8
Hi everyone,

I’m applying for ISB PGP YL R2 and need advice on selecting my recommender. I worked at one of the Big 4s for 15 months but haven’t been in touch with my manager or AD for a while. I also worked at a startup for 3 months, where the founder is an ISB alum, but I feel hesitant to ask him for an LOR. Between these jobs, I worked part-time (3 months) at a stealth startup and can get an LOR from the founder. Given ISB’s preference for strong recommendations, should I go ahead with the stealth startup founder or try reconnecting with my previous managers? Also, how significant is the impact of an LOR on the overall application? Would appreciate any insights. TIA!
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