Recommendation letters

Question

I'm planning to ask my supervisor for a recommendation letter, but I don't want to create any awkwardness between us. (If I don't get accepted, I plan to keep my job that I like.) Any advice?

unplugged · Answer

Be very upfront. It worked for me. (my take)

If you are very sure that your relationship will be affected by just asking him/her to write a Reco

1) Do not take a reco from him/her

2) If you do not want to return to your firm or work with your boss for ever in your life(not even in your wildest dreams), tell him/her that you are doing a part-time program. After taking a fantastic reco, give him/her a slip when you get accepted.

Be very careful with the second option though

Cheers,

Unplugged

highhopes · Answer

Would you consider going back to your company/is that an option? You might phrase it that you'd like to gain the extra education opportunities that an MBA has to offer and that you'd like to come back. If you're worried about not getting in, just be up front that it's a competitive process and you may not go, blah blah blah.

Has anyone else gone back to get an MBA that you can talk with to see what the reaction might be? I was worried about it & talking to another person that I worked with currently in B-school, he confirmed that I should just look elsewhere for my LOR. As you will see here, most people ask their supervisor for an LOR, so my case was the minority, not the majority.

LB20 · Answer

I agree with Unplugged's #1, but as for #2, it'd be pretty hard to lie about what type of program you're doing if they're filling out an online recommendation, especially for a school that only has full-time programs. I am not sure I would ever recommend that.

tan888 · Answer

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a good relationship with my boss. I'll just be up front with him. Wish me luck. :-D

Admissionado · Answer

Thank you,  MBAbot .

We get this question often. While it is great if you can secure a recommender from your current supervisor (assuming you have one), it is by no means necessary. The admissions committees are aware that not everyone is in a position to let their current employer know of their eventual plans to leave the company and not every employer believes an MBA is necessary. We only advise you go to your recommender if you are completely comfortable with his or her trust and loyalty. Anything short of that is an unnecessary risk as there are usually many alternative people who can write letters on your behalf.

Please reach out to us at Admissionado if you are in need of letter of recommendation support!

Good luck to all.

Recommendation letters

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