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abhi2005
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Recommendations 21 Oct 2004, 05:51
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Hi Everyone,

1. is it ok to have recos done by recommenders on their letter head, without getting the format signed filled in?
2. is it wrong to get recos from CEOs or COOs? my reommenders are such people

Thanks for your time !
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Hjort
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Recommendations 21 Oct 2004, 09:41
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Hi,

1. I would follow the instruction given by each school regarding the use of the forms. If the school does not provide any express instructions and the use of the form is simply infeasible, use of the letterhead seems reasonable.

2. It is fine to get letters of recc from CEOs and the like as long as they make it clear that they know you personally and can vouch for your personal qualities, abilities, integrity etc.

Hjort
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Recommendations 21 Oct 2004, 16:49
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abhi2005
Hi Everyone,

1. is it ok to have recos done by recommenders on their letter head, without getting the format signed filled in?
2. is it wrong to get recos from CEOs or COOs? my reommenders are such people

Thanks for your time !
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1) Check with the schools individually.
2) It is not wrong, but don't choose recommenders based on their title. Seek recommendation from those who can comment from personal experience working with you on your qualifications for business school.
Good luck!
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hardworker_indian
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Recommendations 21 Oct 2004, 19:21
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Sorry to ask this question in the middle of abhi's post. But a related Q:
Is it advisable to look for recommenders with MBA? that too from good B Schools?
Or do you think it doesn't matter?
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Recommendations 21 Oct 2004, 20:45
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Hi,

I would place more stress on the writer's knowledge of your abilities and personal qualities than where they attended school. However, depending on which aspect of your package needs the most reinforcement, a letter writer with an MBA might be beneficial. For instance, a writer with an MBA would be likely to have more insight into the rigors of business school and your ability to excel in that arena than a non-MBA writer. This is especially true for a writer who attended that exact school.

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Recommendations 22 Oct 2004, 13:05
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hardworker_indian
Sorry to ask this question in the middle of abhi's post. But a related Q:
Is it advisable to look for recommenders with MBA? that too from good B Schools?
Or do you think it doesn't matter?
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All other things being equal, a recommender with an MBA is an advantage because the MBA recommender can comment on your fitness for the rigors of an MBA program and can also compare your qualifications to those of other MBA's that he or she knows.

But keep in mind that all other things are rarely equal. Of paramount important is the recommenders willingness and ability to right a detailed substantive recommendation based on his or her personal knowledge of your qualifications. A rec from a non-MBA who knows you well, has supervised your work, and thinks highly of you is better than one from an MBA who doesn't know you well or hasn't supervised you directly, but is well intentioned and could slap some positive superficial comments about what a great applicant you are on a recommendation form.

For tips on writing a substantive letter of recommendation, please see:
"Ten Tips for REcommenders"
https://www.accepted.com/newsletter/2001 ... s.aspx#tip
https://www.accepted.com/newsletter/2001 ... s.aspx#tip

Good luck!
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Recommendations 07 Nov 2004, 09:14
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Please allow me to jump in with my question here.

Most schools require 2 recommendation letters. How much overlap is acceptable between the two letters. For example, if one of my ROL has addressed 3 of my qualities with examples, can the second ROL also talk about the same qualitiesbut with different examples? Or should the second recommendation include only those qualities not covered in the first ROL? (I understand that if the secod ROL can cover completely differnt qualities, it is ideal, but I am just trying to get an idea as to how much we can talk about the same qaulities in two ROLs)

Also, one of my friends, who was my roommate for one and half year is currently studying at Wharton. Would it be good idea to get a third recommendation from him just to convince the committe that I am fit for wharton culture?

Thank you for your help.
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Recommendations 07 Nov 2004, 16:19
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I have the same question as Gmatblast has.My situation is much more worse cos my recommenders have told me to write the reco's myself...and now I have to write the reco's as two different persons.
If anybody has been in such a situation before...any tips..?
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Recommendations 15 Nov 2004, 22:14
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Bumping up the thread...can anybpdy please answer it.

-Vivek.
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Recommendations 16 Nov 2004, 13:44
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The information you send to each recommender should be from his/her perspective. Try to recall what important events that demonstrate the strengths you want to emphasize took place with that supervisor. Some overlap is OK as long as both recommenders observed the same salient events.

Not sure if this helps . . .

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Recommendations 16 Nov 2004, 17:00
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vivek_dj
I have the same question as Gmatblast has.My situation is much more worse cos my recommenders have told me to write the reco's myself...and now I have to write the reco's as two different persons.
If anybody has been in such a situation before...any tips..?
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That is a tough situation. No question.

First of all, some overlap is expected, especially if the recommenders are from the same employer. It would be normal for them to talk about the same calling-card achievement or projects that you led. It would be normal for them to discuss the same qualities in connection with those same projects. it woudl also not be normal or useful for them to discuss the same aspects of those experiences.

You can have one discuss your ability to work with peers and the other write about client-interaction. Obviously they can say your quantitative skills are excellent and bring different examples.

You can also have one recommender write in a more formal, still style. The other can be slightly more casual, although still professional. One may use long, complex sentences. The second could have direct, succinct style.

Anyway, a few suggestions.

Good luck!
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Recommendations 18 Nov 2004, 12:10
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Hmm...I see where you are coming from...thanks for the insights.

-Vivek.