Question on Recommendation

Question

Hi,

I have this question on the recommendation letter,

"Excluding additional experience and education, in what area(s) could the applicant improve?"

what kind of answers is the admission committee looking for here, I am little confused.

could someone share thoughts?

Thanks

ebonn101 · Answer

They're looking for the recommender to identify for them your specific areas of weakness (and likewise, and perhaps most importantly, your potential to improve in said areas) that are more inherent to your personality. Telling the admissions committee that you could really benefit from a management role or an MBA or PhD or whatever isn't going to help them learn about whether you will fit in to the mold the school is looking for amongst applicants from your background.

Key is that whatever your recommender chooses to write about, he/she emphasizes that whatever area of your skill set or character you might be lacking in, that you are currently making excellent improvement and have continually working to develop weakness.

Key is that whatever your recommender chooses to write about, he/she emphasizes that whatever area of your skill set or character you might be lacking in, that you are currently making excellent improvement and have continually working to develop weakness.

EBM · Answer

A few possibilities off the top of my head....oral and written communication, setting a vision and inspiring others, creative thinking, organizational skills, mentoring subordinates, seeking self-improvement, encouraging collaboration and cohesiveness with teams, delegating authority, identifying promising and talented subordinates and fast-tracking them, etc.

Basically anything other than "he needs to learn to stop being lazy" or "he needs to stop treating people like crap." One or more of those above things has to apply to pretty much anyone...if you already do all those things perfectly you probably don't need to go to business school.

finmaster · Answer

I worked with my most recent boss for 3.5 years. He often told me I was not good with communication, even mentioned it on my annual performance report. I took it as a positive feedback and then worked on improving my communication. In a few months, my boss was impressed with this and even complemented me over this.

The adcom is also looking for some similar area of you professional life where your recommender identified you were not very well and then you worked on improving in that area and were successful.

Question on Recommendation

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