Last visit was: 28 Apr 2026, 15:16 It is currently 28 Apr 2026, 15:16
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
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.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
dimesquared
User avatar
Joined: 13 Sep 2022
Last visit: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 17
Own Kudos:
11
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 17
Kudos: 11
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 11 Dec 2022, 13:36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have a letter from my former manager (from 2020-2021), but my current supervisor has not been my supervisor for too long and I'm worried about jeopardizing my current position (plus, I'm not confident the letter will be particularly good after my most recent performance review)
I am able to get a letter from a former team lead (worked with me the entire time I was at my previous company, the one I am getting the first recommendation from -- 2018-2021), OR I could get one from a current colleague that was my mentor when I started at my current role (I've been at this role for almost 1 year), though this person is not a level above me/they are simply a person on my current team (though we worked on multiple projects together). What should I do here? I'm confident both letters would be good, but I am not sure which one will be better to use.
User avatar
Businessconquerer
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2018
Last visit: 07 Jul 2025
Posts: 2,809
Own Kudos:
1,191
Given Kudos: 185
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 2,809
Kudos: 1,191
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 11 Dec 2022, 15:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dimesquared
I have a letter from my former manager (from 2020-2021), but my current supervisor has not been my supervisor for too long and I'm worried about jeopardizing my current position (plus, I'm not confident the letter will be particularly good after my most recent performance review)
I am able to get a letter from a former team lead (worked with me the entire time I was at my previous company, the one I am getting the first recommendation from -- 2018-2021), OR I could get one from a current colleague that was my mentor when I started at my current role (I've been at this role for almost 1 year), though this person is not a level above me/they are simply a person on my current team (though we worked on multiple projects together). What should I do here? I'm confident both letters would be good, but I am not sure which one will be better to use.
Show more

If your current supervisor has been supervising you for more than 8 months, you can use the supervisor for your LORs.

I don't suggest colleagues. Let me know if you need more help.
User avatar
dimesquared
User avatar
Joined: 13 Sep 2022
Last visit: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 17
Own Kudos:
11
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 17
Kudos: 11
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 11 Dec 2022, 15:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Businessconquerer
dimesquared
I have a letter from my former manager (from 2020-2021), but my current supervisor has not been my supervisor for too long and I'm worried about jeopardizing my current position (plus, I'm not confident the letter will be particularly good after my most recent performance review)
I am able to get a letter from a former team lead (worked with me the entire time I was at my previous company, the one I am getting the first recommendation from -- 2018-2021), OR I could get one from a current colleague that was my mentor when I started at my current role (I've been at this role for almost 1 year), though this person is not a level above me/they are simply a person on my current team (though we worked on multiple projects together). What should I do here? I'm confident both letters would be good, but I am not sure which one will be better to use.

If your current supervisor has been supervising you for more than 8 months, you can use the supervisor for your LORs.

I don't suggest colleagues. Let me know if you need more help.
Show more

As I mentioned, my current supervisor isn't really an option because I don't want to jeopardize my current position AND I'm not confident that he will be a good advocate for me. My 2 options for my 2nd letter of rec are as followed

1) Previous team lead (basically manager) - 2019-2020
2) Current colleague who was my mentor (and has given me feedback)

My first letter of recommendation is coming from my former supervisor at the same company as my previous team lead
User avatar
Businessconquerer
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2018
Last visit: 07 Jul 2025
Posts: 2,809
Own Kudos:
1,191
Given Kudos: 185
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 2,809
Kudos: 1,191
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 11 Dec 2022, 15:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
@Dismesquared
I know how it feels. Trust me. I am currently in my MBA program but I still know how it was for me when I needed the LOR from my supervisor who was also the owner of the organization. I was in the top hierarchy which is a way worse position to be in.

A lot of my clients face the same situation and it is perfectly normal to fear that it will sabotage your professional career.

You mustn't take the LOR from the Current colleague as it is a big no from any MBA consultant as it may not be perceived well by the admissions team.

I am happy to chat with you to find more options that you can use, but an LOR from Current supervisor displays- a. Commitment to an MBA degree and b. A reflection of your current status
There's a reason why those that produce their current supervisor as primary recommenders have an advantage in application process because they have been brave enough to take the risk.

Because the Adcom will ask a simple question when you say that you don't want to ask for the recommendation as it will sabotage your professional career (in the optional essay)- So do you think all these other people didn't face the same issue?

It will come off as less empathetic and it may hurt your chances of admissions so, I suggest finding a strong reason that will not backfire on you.

The admissions team is looking for opportunities to admit you (AND OTHERS). So, if you give them an opportunity to find a leadership flaw, they will use that to get another candidate in. Like I always say, MBA applications aren't a joke, every word matters.
User avatar
dimesquared
User avatar
Joined: 13 Sep 2022
Last visit: 12 Jun 2023
Posts: 17
Own Kudos:
11
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 17
Kudos: 11
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 11 Dec 2022, 16:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Businessconquerer
@Dismesquared
I know how it feels. Trust me. I am currently in my MBA program but I still know how it was for me when I needed the LOR from my supervisor who was also the owner of the organization. I was in the top hierarchy which is a way worse position to be in.

A lot of my clients face the same situation and it is perfectly normal to fear that it will sabotage your professional career.

You mustn't take the LOR from the Current colleague as it is a big no from any MBA consultant as it may not be perceived well by the admissions team.

I am happy to chat with you to find more options that you can use, but an LOR from Current supervisor displays- a. Commitment to an MBA degree and b. A reflection of your current status
There's a reason why those that produce their current supervisor as primary recommenders have an advantage in application process because they have been brave enough to take the risk.

Because the Adcom will ask a simple question when you say that you don't want to ask for the recommendation as it will sabotage your professional career (in the optional essay)- So do you think all these other people didn't face the same issue?

It will come off as less empathetic and it may hurt your chances of admissions so, I suggest finding a strong reason that will not backfire on you.

The admissions team is looking for opportunities to admit you (AND OTHERS). So, if you give them an opportunity to find a leadership flaw, they will use that to get another candidate in. Like I always say, MBA applications aren't a joke, every word matters.
Show more

I don't think it's a possibility unfortunately. I just received a not-so-great performance review from him.
I think it's going to be worse to have a letter from my current supervisor at this point that has the chance of being negative than an additional letter from another former supervisor that's positive. If I have 2 letters from 2 former supervisors, shouldn't that be fine? My only concern is that they will both be letters from previous jobs. My manager has only been my manager for 6 months (which I know is enough for more schools), but I still feel extremely uncomfortable with this situation.
User avatar
Businessconquerer
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2018
Last visit: 07 Jul 2025
Posts: 2,809
Own Kudos:
1,191
Given Kudos: 185
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 2,809
Kudos: 1,191
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 11 Dec 2022, 20:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Yes, if you've got letters from 2 former supervisors, (good rule of thumb is just going 3 years back in experience) should help you put your case better.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
Admissionado
User avatar
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 May 2024
Posts: 9,229
Own Kudos:
2,075
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,229
Kudos: 2,075
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 12 Dec 2022, 10:22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dimesquared:

The two most important rules when picking a recommender are (1) do you trust this person and (2) does this person know you well? Titles, time, etc. are secondary. Ideally you could have a super senior person write a powerful and personal letter, but not everyone at the point in their career when they are applying for MBA/graduate school programs are in a position to have that type of relationship. So, with respect to your two options:

1) Previous team lead (basically manager) - 2019-2020
2) Current colleague who was my mentor (and has given me feedback)

...I would probably go with the first, BUT if you can somehow pass of the "colleague" as an actual mentor/person at least slightly senior to you, that could work. He or she would have to have seen your work up close or at least been an aggregator of other reviews in a way that puts him or her in a position to be a "supervisor" of sorts. I wouldn't necessarily rule the second person out even if you consider him or her to be a colleague. I have seen it done many times before with a good amount of success.

Tough situation, no doubt, but thankfully you have options. We are happy to review these letters if you believe you need professional assistance.

-Admissionado
User avatar
ARINGO
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 07 Mar 2012
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,261
Own Kudos:
1,447
Given Kudos: 1,939
GPA: 4
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 3,261
Kudos: 1,447
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 15 Dec 2022, 03:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dimesquared
I have a letter from my former manager (from 2020-2021), but my current supervisor has not been my supervisor for too long and I'm worried about jeopardizing my current position (plus, I'm not confident the letter will be particularly good after my most recent performance review)
I am able to get a letter from a former team lead (worked with me the entire time I was at my previous company, the one I am getting the first recommendation from -- 2018-2021), OR I could get one from a current colleague that was my mentor when I started at my current role (I've been at this role for almost 1 year), though this person is not a level above me/they are simply a person on my current team (though we worked on multiple projects together). What should I do here? I'm confident both letters would be good, but I am not sure which one will be better to use.
Show more

In general, schools are looking for recommenders who know the candidate very well, on the basis of an experience that is:
1) As long as possible.
2) As intense as possible.
3) Experience that is preferably work-related.

The level of excitement that the recommender demonstrates, and the reasons for this excitement (supporting examples), are most important. The longer and more intense the acquaintance is, the better. Recommendations that describe the candidate's background in the exact same industry name mentioned in the career plan are preferred. Recommendations that attest to the candidate's leadership and management background are preferred.

For more tips on recommenders selection, please visit: https://aringo.com/hacking-the-mba-appl ... plication/
User avatar
MBAGuide
User avatar
Joined: 24 Jul 2019
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,368
Own Kudos:
988
Given Kudos: 28
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Marketing
Schools: Insead Sept'18 (A$$) ISB '19 (A)
Schools: Insead Sept'18 (A$$) ISB '19 (A)
Posts: 2,368
Kudos: 988
Recommendation letter from previous supervisor or current colleague 15 Dec 2022, 07:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dimesquared
I have a letter from my former manager (from 2020-2021), but my current supervisor has not been my supervisor for too long and I'm worried about jeopardizing my current position (plus, I'm not confident the letter will be particularly good after my most recent performance review)
I am able to get a letter from a former team lead (worked with me the entire time I was at my previous company, the one I am getting the first recommendation from -- 2018-2021), OR I could get one from a current colleague that was my mentor when I started at my current role (I've been at this role for almost 1 year), though this person is not a level above me/they are simply a person on my current team (though we worked on multiple projects together). What should I do here? I'm confident both letters would be good, but I am not sure which one will be better to use.
Show more


dimesquared hope this finds you well

I recently wrote about tackling the LOR dilemma that you are currently facing. Get your LORs from your strongest advocates at your work. If the school asks for 2 LORs, one should ideally be from a current colleague (if not your direct supervisor) at your current company. Otherwise, the evaluator may wonder why you have not at least one person in your current organization who supports your plan to pursue an MBA and would like to see you succeed.

|The Secret Sauce for Outstanding Letters of Recommendation|

In fact, I was once refused a recommendation by my direct supervisor, who felt I was disrespecting my employer's investment in my growth by pursuing an MBA. :D
This led me to eventually get my recommendations from my strongest advocates in the company - my senior colleagues (one level above), instead of my direct managers. And this is okay, for as long as your strongest advocates have worked with you directly and can get into the details of how your work impacted the projects they were leading, setting the context that brings the Adcom to see value in your contribution, you will have created a climate of credibility.

Hope this helps

Best wishes