Recommendation Letters

Question

Hello All,

I'm at a crossroad in my applications because of recommendations and who to choose. I've already had some convos with Options 2 and 3 and they've agreed to help me.

I want to know any insights or opinions in choosing Option 3 for any school that requires only 1 rec and Options 2 and 3 for any school that requires 2. 
Thank you all for the help.

Option 1
- Current Company - 1 year (2 different managers in that time)

Option 2
- Old Company - 1 year, Manager, Brutally Honest

Option 3
- Old Company - 1 year, Senior Colleague, Mentor

bb · Answer

Complicated!

Recommendation letters usually have to come from your supervisor. Not sure if the person #3 qualifies as a supervisor/someone responsible for overseeing your performance or if they were just a mentor/adviser. I don't think there are any issues with that person leaving the company or moving on since you have worked there but the main question is whether they were you pier or actually had seniority.

Sometimes in Consulting/MBB the roles are mixed and that may help here in case this person was your team lead/project lead even though you may have reported to someone else. I feel in that case, it would be appropriate. However, if this person was a senior co-worker on the same team, both of you reporting to another person, then it is not helpful.

SiaAdmissions · Answer

Hi  HuaL ,

Are you unable to obtain a recommendation from Option 1? While you have listed the option, you are not addressing it as a real option. Some clarification here might be useful.

I agree with @bb's statement; your recommender should be a direct supervisor, someone who can speak, in detail, about you and your work as a professional. A colleague's recommendation may not carry as much weight.

Any school that requires one rec should receive the strongest rec letter - they only get one person's perspective on your character and work ethic. While Option 3 might be less "brutally honest," submitting a letter from a colleague sends the wrong message to the school. Unless, of course, the colleague has had a supervisory role and can speak about your work from a supervisory perspective.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

HuaL  Just as an FYI, I have had a lot of success with clients who never submit a manager recommendation. One of them is working on the Facebook-WhatsApp merger in Dublin right now for his internship; he's at Wharton and got a scholarship to boot.

I think the school pressures you do that but not a deal breaker...colleague OK if "internal client" and if you serve on a board that would also be a good one. The key is to select someone who can CHAMPION YOU is willing to work openly and can describe IN DETAIL anecdotes that show how you have modeled teamwork, leadership and problem solving (in sum, all the shiz that b-schools are seeking.)

ARINGO · Answer

In general, schools are looking for recommenders who know the candidate very well, on the basis of an experience that is:
1) As long as possible.
2) As intense as possible.
3) Experience that is preferably work-related.
The level of excitement that the recommender demonstrates, and the reasons for this excitement (supporting examples), are most important.
The longer and more intense the acquaintance is, the better.
Recommendations that describe the candidate's background in the exact same industry name mentioned in the career plan are preferred.
Recommendations that attest to the candidate's leadership and management background are preferred.

Try to use these guidelines to select the best recommenders for you. For more info on Selecting Recommenders and Letters of Recommendation for your MBA Application, please visit: https://aringo.com/hacking-the-mba-appl ... plication/

JatinBhandari1 · Answer

Hi,

While everyone has given you a good perspective, I want to add a couple of points that might help you decide.

1. Definitely look at the quality of examples and the accomplishments these recommenders can quote on your letters. That really matters a lot.

2. Look at the work experience, and the education of your recommenders as well. If you have to choose between an Experienced MBA and a Not-so experienced Techie, I will encourage you to look at the former option.

I could not figure out much from the options you posted on this thread. In an ideal scenario, pick your immediate boss from the current organisation, and the direct supervisor from the previous one.

A senior-colleague is recommended only when you are out of options.

Haha222 · Answer

Apologies guys. I had actually edited the details out of the options I had. Thank you for all your input! I think I am all set on this as R1 deadline is approaching.

Recommendation Letters

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