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Apr 2908:00 PM EDT
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Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
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Sia Admissions Founder Susan Berishaj will walk through why reach/target/safety produces the wrong list for many specific profiles, how admissions committees at different programs read the same background differently, and more...
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May 0108:30 AM EDT
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16 May 2016, 09:45
Kudos
Bookmarks
I will be applying to various MBA programs in the fall, so I am starting to think of who I should ask for my recommendations... I know my direct supervisor should be my first choice, but my situation is a little unique (I think)... I currently work in commercial real estate and my team consists of only my boss and me (although I work for a major firm, each team focuses on different property types and functions, so my boss and I are completely independent from everyone else in our office).
As such, I play a very important and significant role on our team (my boss relies on me for all of our financial analyses, underwriting, deal management, etc.)... I am afraid that if I tell my boss I am planning on leaving for grad school he will panic and his focus will be on finding someone to replace me instead of focusing on writing a great recommendation for me...
So I am wondering if I should risk it and ask him for a recommendation (if he is actually supportive of my decision, I think he could end up writing me a really good recommendation), or go with other available options: 1) An old teammate who was a jr. broker on this team (technically my superior) that left 6 months ago, but who could attest to my performance in my current position 2) the managing director in our office (it would be more difficult for him to give a detailed recommendation.. his would probably be a little more generic) 3) Someone from my previous job (first analyst position after college... this should be a good recommendation and i might use it regardless for the schools that require 2 recommendations).
I guess my questions comes down to: will an admissions officer understand my circumstances and why I chose to not go with my direct supervisor for a recommendation?
Thanks in advance!
As such, I play a very important and significant role on our team (my boss relies on me for all of our financial analyses, underwriting, deal management, etc.)... I am afraid that if I tell my boss I am planning on leaving for grad school he will panic and his focus will be on finding someone to replace me instead of focusing on writing a great recommendation for me...
So I am wondering if I should risk it and ask him for a recommendation (if he is actually supportive of my decision, I think he could end up writing me a really good recommendation), or go with other available options: 1) An old teammate who was a jr. broker on this team (technically my superior) that left 6 months ago, but who could attest to my performance in my current position 2) the managing director in our office (it would be more difficult for him to give a detailed recommendation.. his would probably be a little more generic) 3) Someone from my previous job (first analyst position after college... this should be a good recommendation and i might use it regardless for the schools that require 2 recommendations).
I guess my questions comes down to: will an admissions officer understand my circumstances and why I chose to not go with my direct supervisor for a recommendation?
Thanks in advance!
16 May 2016, 18:17
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi there,
The AdComm will understand, however, the question is - are your alternates going to write you a solid recommendation? The recommenders need to be credible and they need to be able to paint a detailed picture about your value to the firm, why they believe you will need an MBA, and the value you can bring to the MBA program. Across your recommenders, they should tell a cohesive story, but each one should focus in on key traits as opposed to speak generally about your work. You need to make sure they don't regurgitate what you've already told the AdComm in your resume and in your essays.
Hope this information helps. Feel free to check out our free resources to get you started for your preparation. If you think we can help design a cohesive story with your application, sign up for a free consultation below. Best of luck this season!
The AdComm will understand, however, the question is - are your alternates going to write you a solid recommendation? The recommenders need to be credible and they need to be able to paint a detailed picture about your value to the firm, why they believe you will need an MBA, and the value you can bring to the MBA program. Across your recommenders, they should tell a cohesive story, but each one should focus in on key traits as opposed to speak generally about your work. You need to make sure they don't regurgitate what you've already told the AdComm in your resume and in your essays.
Hope this information helps. Feel free to check out our free resources to get you started for your preparation. If you think we can help design a cohesive story with your application, sign up for a free consultation below. Best of luck this season!
17 May 2016, 15:47
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi mj800:
That’s a great question! Your situation is by no means tragic, but it is serious. :☺ While an AdCom will most certainly UNDERSTAND your difficult position, it’s important to grasp that the applications are not about doing what’s “acceptable”, but about taking the VERY BEST STRATEGIES that will maximize your candidacy, and going the extra mile in order to shine within a very competitive applicant pool (depending on your target MBA program).
During my almost 7 years of experience as an MBA Admissions Consultant, I have found that, AdCom’s are understanding of candidates who do not use direct supervisors as recommenders, it’s very important to realize that your direct supervisor most likely knows your work most intimately and comprehensively. In reflecting upon who to entrust with the important task of writing your B-school recommendations, you should also consider whether your other recommender candidates will credibly be able to highlight your VERY BEST EXAMPLES of analytical acumen, leadership, team-work, and innovation. Will they take some coaching from you? Did they collaborate with you directly on projects that they can speak to IN DETAIL?
One strategy I’ve used with clients is to reflect upon the following: How long have you worked at the firm? Are there tactical ways to approach your current direct supervisor in ways that will address his concerns about your eventual departure? Yes, there are! I’ve helped hundreds of candidates navigate these situations successfully, and go on to gain admittance letters from their top-choice MBA programs. I’d be delighted to speak more extensively about your situation – there’s really no one cookie-cutter response to give, each case must be considered in turn (which is in fact, my specialty). Please feel free to contact me at Arbitrage Admissions Advantage for more innovative strategies for application success!
Talk soon,
Vanessa
That’s a great question! Your situation is by no means tragic, but it is serious. :☺ While an AdCom will most certainly UNDERSTAND your difficult position, it’s important to grasp that the applications are not about doing what’s “acceptable”, but about taking the VERY BEST STRATEGIES that will maximize your candidacy, and going the extra mile in order to shine within a very competitive applicant pool (depending on your target MBA program).
During my almost 7 years of experience as an MBA Admissions Consultant, I have found that, AdCom’s are understanding of candidates who do not use direct supervisors as recommenders, it’s very important to realize that your direct supervisor most likely knows your work most intimately and comprehensively. In reflecting upon who to entrust with the important task of writing your B-school recommendations, you should also consider whether your other recommender candidates will credibly be able to highlight your VERY BEST EXAMPLES of analytical acumen, leadership, team-work, and innovation. Will they take some coaching from you? Did they collaborate with you directly on projects that they can speak to IN DETAIL?
One strategy I’ve used with clients is to reflect upon the following: How long have you worked at the firm? Are there tactical ways to approach your current direct supervisor in ways that will address his concerns about your eventual departure? Yes, there are! I’ve helped hundreds of candidates navigate these situations successfully, and go on to gain admittance letters from their top-choice MBA programs. I’d be delighted to speak more extensively about your situation – there’s really no one cookie-cutter response to give, each case must be considered in turn (which is in fact, my specialty). Please feel free to contact me at Arbitrage Admissions Advantage for more innovative strategies for application success!
Talk soon,
Vanessa
