letters of reccomendation

Question

I've got some problems with my letters of recommendation. I applied to schools last year and got a few intereviews and one admit, but I decided to wait an additional year to beef up my resume and try again. My only problem now is that I'm reapplying to some of the same schools and I have the same recommenders. I work within a family business and the only other qualified recommenders I would have write letters are all related to me! Can I have a recommendation written by someone who shares my last name? Wouldn't it be biased?

rhyme · Answer

I would not submit recommendations from family. Period. I'd ask a client to submit a recommendation ( a client of yoru family business) or a close personal friend who can speak to your style and character. I'd be sure to explain why you have "non traditional" recs in your application with the optional essay.

enginpasa1 · Answer

OK so I am applying to an EMBA program. I work for family business and am senior sales manager within business. I am in need of two letters of recommendation. Naturally, the best recommendation would be from my supervisor. Can i still have my supervisor recommend me even though he is family?

ncp · Answer

enginpasa1, please do a search before posting your question. Most questions will have been asked and answered before. I have merged your post with an older post in order to eliminate redundancy.

Regards your question, please DO NOT obtain recommendations from family members. Use your clients or other extra-curricular personnel.

aaudetat · Answer

Just to back up what others have said, I attended a Stanford info session in the summer of 2006. This is apparently a common question, and they said that while they recognize that it's hard, you really need to come up with someone who is not related to you. They recommended clients, suppliers, and others in the business that aren't family members. Community projects can also be a good source. Good luck.

enginpasa1 · Answer

I understand. It will be easier to find a client or vendor. I can also have a professor that is teaching some of mba class to at the actual school to write a letter on my behalf.. Will this count? There is a link on the application to put in the email of the actual recommender, I put my family member in but it is noI dont know how to even delete it out of there, is this bad?

dakotus · Answer

Engin
I am in the same boat. My understanding is I can use clients of mine. Even though that seems like its a conflict of interest as well, its better than a family member writing it.

rajpdsouza · Answer

Same boat. I got a client I work with on a daily basis and one of the managers (not related) to write them. As far as there still being a conflict...I don't think it's anymore than any other boss you'd get to write a recommendation. Let's face it, if someone is writing a recommendation for you, you know the person well enough for he/she to write a glowing letter about you. This is assuming you're not just asking random people for LORs.

westsider · Answer

Recs from a current supervisor are always a conflict of interest as well.

1)If you are GOOD, they should give you a bad rec so you will not get into school, and stay on the job longer
2)If you are BAD, they should give you a good rec to get rid of you!

So, I honestly don't understand what the point is of recs. I had some (honestly) good ones. One of my recommenders sent me copies after he submitted them. They were FAR from love letters, and addressed some real weaknesses I have. However, they were overall positive, and I think that "needs improvement" parts gave them credibility.

This being said, I wonder if committees can spot a rec that the applicant writes, and just has their manager sign.....

Anyhow, I guess this is just a long-winded version of:
"I don't think recs should matter because it is hard to tell how authentic they are"

One more bit - I'm not bitter as so far I am 3/3 on my applications :-D

aaudetat · Answer

i would agree - there is an inherrent bias in any rec, otherwise you wouldn´t ask for it. however, it´s really different when it´s your mom. i mean, can we expect parents to have an objective view of your work? possible, sure. likely? i don´t know.

letters of reccomendation

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