Last visit was: 23 Apr 2024, 10:19 It is currently 23 Apr 2024, 10:19

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
SORT BY:
Kudos

Who should I pick as a recommender?

You may select up to 2 options
Current Student
Joined: 16 Jan 2021
Posts: 58
Own Kudos [?]: 37 [0]
Given Kudos: 41
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
Send PM
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 9216
Own Kudos [?]: 2060 [1]
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Schools:Brown University, Harvard Business School
Send PM
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 9216
Own Kudos [?]: 2060 [1]
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Schools:Brown University, Harvard Business School
Send PM
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 9216
Own Kudos [?]: 2060 [1]
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Schools:Brown University, Harvard Business School
Send PM
How do I choose my recommenders? - Includes gold profiles [#permalink]
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
varunpaul0505:

Alumni status of your recommender is a minor nice-to-have. Truth be told, unless they are a big donor or a very involved alumnus, it won't carry much weight. It does, however, help in that the recommender will know how to tailor his or her recommendation to develop a connection between you and their alma mater.

If you really want to get strategic about things, you could always swap in this person for someone else for one of your target schools. Alternatively, you could keep them in the back pocket in case you find yourself on the waitlist for that school, though at that point you're playing from behind.

Some people also suggest that they send an extra letter or a quick email in addition to the two letters, but I think that's generally in bad taste and not additive. And again, if they're not an influential person with the school, it won't matter.

Does that help?
Current Student
Joined: 16 Jan 2021
Posts: 58
Own Kudos [?]: 37 [0]
Given Kudos: 41
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
Send PM
Re: How do I choose my recommenders? - Includes gold profiles [#permalink]
Admissionado wrote:
varunpaul0505:

At the end of the day, there are two key questions you have to ask yourself when selecting a recommender:

(1) Does this person know me well and can he or she speak to my strengths in both a qualitative and anecdotal way?
(2) Do I trust this person to put in the effort, go to bad for me and finish the recommendation in time?

Two, though less significant points, are whether they have been a supervisor or manager for you. and if come from a more recent role. B-schools have a preference for people that meet these criteria.

Using those guidelines I would rank them as follows:

2. Reporting manager at the social-impact consulting firm
4. Head, CSR division at one of the FAANG
3. Principal at the social-impact consulting firm
6. Managing Partner at my social-impact consulting firm
1. Reporting manager at the metal & mining plant [low because may be outdated]
5. Managing Partner at one of the world's top VC firms [seems like not a strong connection]

It seems like you have some great choices. Plus, there's no right answer so I am curious to hear what others think as well.

Best,
Admissionado



Thanks for your recommendations. This is super-helpful. I had a couple of follow-up questions that I would love your thoughts on- since I had worked with #1 between 2017 and 2018, will it still be considered outdated?

Also, please share your thoughts on the team-management part? I have heard from multiple people that team management experience in a consulting firm is not highly valued (given the quality of the personnel) as compared to perhaps managing semi-skilled workers at a manufacturing plant which involves a lot more persuasion and political savviness to navigate worker-unions etc? Should the team-management strength I developed at the metal manufacturing plant be highlighted through recommendations?
Current Student
Joined: 16 Jan 2021
Posts: 58
Own Kudos [?]: 37 [0]
Given Kudos: 41
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
Send PM
Re: How do I choose my recommenders? - Includes gold profiles [#permalink]
Admissionado wrote:
varunpaul0505:

You are very welcome.

Q: I had worked with #1 between 2017 and 2018, will it still be considered outdated?

A: Yes, slightly outdated but not disqualifying. Generally speaking, the more recent the better because it reflects the person you are today, which SHOULD be more qualified than the person you were many years ago.

Q: Also, please share your thoughts on the team-management part? I have heard from multiple people that team management experience in a consulting firm is not highly valued (given the quality of the personnel) as compared to perhaps managing semi-skilled workers at a manufacturing plant which involves a lot more persuasion and political savviness to navigate worker-unions etc?

A: I do not subscribe to this philosophy. The criteria I laid out trump any such rumors, which in my view, are unsubstantiated.

Q: Should the team-management strength I developed at the metal manufacturing plant be highlighted through recommendations?

A: It's hard to answer that question in a vacuum. It depends on what you are trying to communicate about your overall profile, narrative and skills set as part of your entire application including why you want an MBA.

Good luck,
-Admissionado


Makes total sense. Also, The Principal at the firm I work at is an alum of one of the target schools I am looking at. Does even the alum aspect of the recommender's profile not matter to the Adcom?
Current Student
Joined: 16 Jan 2021
Posts: 58
Own Kudos [?]: 37 [0]
Given Kudos: 41
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
Send PM
Re: How do I choose my recommenders? - Includes gold profiles [#permalink]
Admissionado wrote:
varunpaul0505:

Alumni status of your recommender is a minor nice-to-have. Truth be told, unless they are a big donor or a very involved alumnus, it won't carry much weight. It does, however, help in that the recommender will know how to tailor his or her recommendation to develop a connection between you and their alma mater.

If you really want to get strategic about things, you could always swap in this person for someone else for one of your target schools. Alternatively, you could keep them in the back pocket in case you find yourself on the waitlist for that school, though at that point you're playing from behind.

Some people also suggest that they send an extra letter or a quick email in addition to the two letters, but I think that's generally in bad taste and not additive. And again, if they're not an influential person with the school, it won't matter.

Does that help?


This is super helpful! Thanks a ton!
GMAT Club Bot
Re: How do I choose my recommenders? - Includes gold profiles [#permalink]

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne