Current Student
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 534
Given Kudos: 34
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Concentration: Sustainable Development
Schools:Ross '12 (MBA/MS)
Q49 V45
Recommendation Question: Personal Information OK?
[#permalink]
28 Aug 2008, 16:50
Recommendations are supposed to be professional, but is it a terrible thing if your recommender shares some (very limited) opinions on your personal background? I don't mean the normal stuff like, "Evaluate the candidate's social skills and sense of humor". I'm not sure how to phrase this question other than describe my situation:
I am a die hard Michigan fan who is also an alumni. My boss, co-workers, manager, director, anyone who I've met in the entire lifetime, all know this very well. Cut me with a knife and Maize and Blue blood will come pouring out of my veins. I have every basketball and football season schedule proudly pasted on my cubicle wall. On my computer desktop is a picture of the Michigan Union. I have a gigantic Block M flag hanging over my bed. I am way more stressed out about our season opener against Utah this Saturday than the three R1 applications that are about to crush my face. Darth Vader is a Michigan alumni; I tell everybody this. OK, I think you guys get the picture...My question is, would it be OK for my boss to mention my love for everything Michigan in my Ross recommendation letter?
Possible problems: The Adcoms may view this as a cheap way of trying to show my fit for Ross. My recommender would be addressing "personal" factors (in a professional recommendation) beyond the normal scope of assessing my social skills and/or sense of humor.
Possible benefits: The Adcoms see this as a genuine example of my enthusiasm for Michigan. They might think that, if offered admissions, I would likely accept the offer, thereby increasing yield. A good example of my "fit" into the Michigan community/culture.
Note: I am not writing this recommendation for my boss in any way shape or form. It might just be something I mention to him when we meet to talk about my goals, positioning, etc..