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thecheftony
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Recommendations from the same company? 21 Jul 2015, 21:10
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Hi everybody,

I'm applying this fall top top 5 MBA programs. I have every base covered except for the recommendation letters. The two best people to write me letters (and they would be glowing) are the two founders of the company I work for. I joined as employee 3 and have been heavily involved in every aspect from day 1. My fear is that the adcom would view this unfavorably since they are from the same company. The company is 13 people and we were acquired in January.

Any thoughts on this? My alternative was to have an old prof write me a letter but I'm sure it would be nowhere near these two...

Thanks!
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Recommendations from the same company? 21 Jul 2015, 21:19
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It is a good question to ask in the "Ask Admissions Consultants Forum" and I am moving it there.... I would think this is a good thing and better than having your old prof write you a rec, but let's see what the experts have to say.

Good Luck
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Recommendations from the same company? 21 Jul 2015, 22:20
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Thecheftony,
This should not be a problem. You are better off having two people from the same company than asking a professor from undergrad. Many people who have only one job after college get both recommendations from the same company.

How many years out of undergrad are you and is your current role the only one you had after graduating?

As long as the letters are glowing, it's not a problem at all. Good luck!

Any other questions feel free to send me a note scott@personalmbacoach.com
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Recommendations from the same company? 22 Jul 2015, 03:22
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Great to know! I'm 4 years out of undergrad and all 4 have been with the same company. I did 3 6-month internships during undergrad but I still think my CEO and CTO would be the best letters.
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Recommendations from the same company? 22 Jul 2015, 03:45
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I should also add that the prof is highly accomplished - he spent a few weeks in space with NASA
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Recommendations from the same company? 23 Jul 2015, 22:20
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Great. I would still go with the two professional references. Good luck!
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Recommendations from the same company? 27 Jul 2015, 09:00
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Agreed with Scott here - professional experiences will trump an old professor no matter how impressive. That said, are you involved in anything outside of the company? An initiative or organization where you have a leadership position? Those kinds of activities could be good sources for a recommendation too!
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thecheftony
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Recommendations from the same company? 29 Jul 2015, 12:27
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CriticalSquare
Agreed with Scott here - professional experiences will trump an old professor no matter how impressive. That said, are you involved in anything outside of the company? An initiative or organization where you have a leadership position? Those kinds of activities could be good sources for a recommendation too!
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I advised a group of senior chemical engineering students on their Capstone project. I've become pretty close with the guy that oversees the program and I'm sure he'd write me one.

The two managers from my current company know me best but they might have overlapping discussion points in their letters...
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Recommendations from the same company? 31 Jul 2015, 12:34
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Given that the two founders of the company you work for know you best, they are still probably the right folks to complete your recommendations. You should consider coaching them through the process (especially if they haven't done it before). If you're worried that they'll overlap in their talking points about you, prepare them with other information about you such as specific examples of your work that showcase your skill sets (that they endorse) and ask that they focus the letter through that lens. For additional support, take a look at a recent article we wrote about picking the perfect recommender. Best of luck!