Separate recommendation email

Question

My previous manager joined one of the T10 schools in their 1-year exec programs and is currently studying there. I am applying there this year and haven't used him as a recommender given my current manager was a better recommender.

Would it be a good idea for him to send an email to adcom recommending me? This will be in addition the recommendations already part of the application.

bb · Answer

Hi  friskymarkets ! Long time no see!

Frankly, I don't think these work much - these additional recommendations. I have known a few candidates who have asked/received recommendations from co-workers or friends who were alums of MBA programs and still did not get in.

Looking at how little weight these carry, I would say save this for a WL situation - you will need to provide some ammunition and updates in a WL situation and this would be a valuable reserve that others may not have. Shooting it out during the initial salvo makes sense but AdCom would not know what to do with it since other applicants would not have 2 LOR's or additional LOR so I feel they may just put it aside since it is not a core part of the application but perhaps someone has a better data point.

friskymarkets · Answer

thanks  bb

Makes sense, really appreciate the detailed and prompt response

Quick update from my end:
Got into Tuck last year but no scholarship, Ross (WL with interview), Booth (ding without interview), Fuqua (WL without interview). Had also thrown a hail mary at HSW in R2 (all dings without interview)

Taking my shot again this year with INSEAD, Kellogg, Sloan as reach with Ross/Yale as target for R1. Hoping for a couple of admits, one each from reach and target so that I might be able to negotiate a scholarship.

Any suggestions for other colleges I might go for in R2? I am not hellbent on an MBA, and given my financial & personal circumstances I would prefer T15 with $$.

PS: Looks like I am becoming a veteran in the apps with a dozen apps done now. Do let me know if I can be of help for the community in a more formal/part-time role.

bb · Answer

Thank you so much for offering to help. Technically you have admits so you count as a veteran 👍👍👍

Nikhil  is setting up some interview prep sessions and your experience may come in pretty handy.

You decided to skip Tuck this year? I’m not sure they would give you a scholarship this year but I know people who have a plied to the same programs multiple years and received similar results. They did not improve their position but it did not get worse usually it is surprising way to me at least.

Good luck with your application this season. Things are a bit mixed and unclear but it looks like the volume may be down this year. Last year it was hard to read because you never know if more people are applying or if fewer people applied to more schools. One interesting thing that did happen last season was a lot of people who got admitted, chose not to attend. Anyway, I am thinking and expecting this year to be less competitive, especially for the lower rank schools. Keep in mind, the top 10 are always competitive no matter what. It’s the other programs that tend to become less competitive in down years.

In terms of schools and scholarships, I would definitely consider safety schools. It seems like you’re going for reach and target but those are unlikely to result in meaningful scholarships. And hopefully I’m wrong and you get a massive scholarship and you will laugh at me. I think that would be an awesome feel good payback. By the way, I love to be wrong in the situations when things turn out much better than my pessimistic view so never hesitate to point out how wrong I was and how things turned out. Anyway, I do think you need some scholarship options and I would look at foster and McCombs as well as Kelley and Darden. David is actually one of the least expensive programs and they’re pretty good with scholarships. I also did not see Fuqua on your list. It’s a peer school with Ross and Yale they also provide free application fee waiver so there’s no cost to apply besides having to write some interesting essays. Even if you don’t want to attend, they are pretty good with scholarships and because they are peers schools with Yale and Ross, you can use it to leverage for scholarship in those two 🤷‍♂️ If you’re looking for consulting, Tepper is good as well as Emory… i’m not suggesting you apply to all of these by the way, just listing some ideas 😇

However, I’m hoping you can translate your veteran applicant experience and stronger profile into some scholarships in your target schools. But personally, I wouldn’t count on it yet and I would plan to apply for some scholarship options in round two.

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Admissionado · Answer

friskymarkets :

I agree with bb. His "letter" might not be considered as part of your regular application. The reason these schools have strict requirement is because they want to even the playing field. It would be no different if someone submitted an extra essay or a piece of work to try to influence the AdCom.

I would actually save your previous manager if and when you are placed on the waitlist. That just might have an impact. Duke (Fuqua) is one such school that values input from such an individual in his position. Other programs could be open to the idea.

Let's hope you aren't even in that position and get in outright. Good luck!

bb · Answer

Thank you  Admissionado ! 
Really appreciate you chiming in especially on the weekend 😇👍

Posted from my mobile device

ARINGO · Answer

Support letters usually have low impact on admission chances, but if your previous manager can provide a strong support letter, go for it! why not?
The support email is written in an informal “internal memo style” to the admission committee or, preferably, to a specific admissions officer that is responsible for your region. It could also be addressed to the head of admissions.
Extraordinarily strong support emails may significantly enhance your candidacy. Ineffective support emails may hinder your candidacy (for example, lukewarm content, emails that “smell” from nepotism, emails that seem to originate from the candidate rather than from the supporter).

For more tips on support letters, please visit: https://aringo.com/emails/support-emails/

MBAbot · Answer

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Separate recommendation email

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