Recommendation Letter Question

Question

I have already asked my two recommenders, and I'm preparing a document to walk them through the process. I'm confused by one point though. Are they supposed to make a letter of recommendation (2-3 pages double spaced) covering all of the bases, or are they asked specific mini-essay questions?

I ask that because I see lists like the one shown below (Columbia), but also see that Harvard gives specific word counts. These lists are a little different for each school. Does the recommender need to answer each individual question for each and every school, or will one generic letter cut it?

Thanks for your help.

_________________________________________________________

Columbia

1. What is your relationship to, and how long have you known the applicant? Is this person still employed by your organization? (Yes/No) If “No,” when did he/she depart? (e.g., August 1999)
2. Provide a short list of adjectives which describe the applicant’s strengths.
3. How does the applicant’s performance compare with that of his or her peers?
4. How has the applicant grown during his/her employment with you? Please comment on the applicant’s maturity.
5. Comment on the applicant’s ability to work with others, including superiors, peers and subordinates. If the tables were reversed, would you enjoy working for the applicant?
6. In what ways could the applicant improve professionally? How does he/she accept constructive criticism?
7. How well has the applicant made use of available opportunities? Consider his or her initiative, curiosity and motivation.
8. Comment on your observations of the applicant’s ethical behavior.
9. What do you think motivates the candidate’s application to the MBA program at Columbia Business School? Do you feel the applicant is realistic in his/her professional ambitions?
10. Are there any other matters which you feel we should know about the applicant?

________________________________________________________

Harvard

1) Please comment on the context of your interaction with the applicant. If applicable, briefly describe the applicant’s role in your organization. (250 words)

2) How does the candidate’s performance compare to other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (250 words)

3) Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)

4) Please make additional statements about the applicant’s performance, potential, or personal qualities you believe would be helpful to the MBA Admissions Board. (250 words)

MBAPrepSchoolChris · Answer

Hi @jeffdill -- most of the schools (particularly US schools) are very specific that they want the reference writer to answer the exact questions being asked. Therefore it's critical that your reference guide that you're preparing provides specific guidance on the messaging, positioning, and real-life examples that will help with each question. Hope that helps -- if you'd like more information, you might find these blog posts on our site useful, as they explicitly address how to maximize the impact of your references: https://mbaprepschool.com/topic/recommendation-letters/ Hope this helps ... let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Chris

TechWithNoExp · Answer

Hey,

Columbia's Site has a pretty detailed explanation of what the recommendation needs to answer.
https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/admis ... quirements

Here are a few key lines from CBS's site:
"We ask recommenders to consider the following guidelines when writing their recommendations:
Your relationship to the applicant.
The applicant’s performance.
Strengths and weaknesses of the applicant.
The applicant’s interpersonal skills.
The applicant’s written and spoken communication skills.
How does the applicant accept constructive criticism or handle conflicts?
How effective are the applicant’s interpersonal skills in the workplace?
The most important thing you would like the Admissions Committee to know.
Please be aware, the Admissions Committee does require all application materials be submitted online, including recommendations. We ask that recommendations be limited to 1000 words."

Hope this helps.
Where did you get your list of questions? If I am not mistaken those are not this years guideline.

jeffdill · Answer

I was doing some Google searching and found it on essaylabb.com. It says it is for the 2013-2014 application season, but maybe it's not.

MBAPrepSchoolChris · Answer

Most schools publish/make available to applications their specific recommendation letter questions -- they want to make sure that you can choose the best recommenders to help provide the perspective/input that the schools are looking for.

Think of your recommenders as a critical component of your application since they are providing third-party verification/validation around the individual accomplishments, leadership achievements, and future potential that you are claiming in your application.

Cheers, Chris

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