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rhyme
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Joined: 05 Apr 2006
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Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
WE:Business Development (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
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Recommendations 20 Jun 2006, 06:54
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I have to pick who to use for recommendations:

My recs can come from:

(1) A Chicago GSB Graduate, Executive Vice President, Director of a PMO Office, staff of over 100. Will know how to write a rec. Has known me in a working capacity for 2.5 years, in an overall capacity 4-5 years. Will take the time to write a good rec.

(2) A Chicago GSB Graduate, Director, other firm. Known me in a professional capacity 9 months, overall, 1 year. Can write a good rec.

(3) My current low level manager. Known me in prof capacity ONLY 3 months. He'd write one, but I'm worried he wouldn't know what to write and he's a "new" manager - probably has very little experience writing these, (if any). He's never been to grad school. I'm also concerned he may not write something cohesive with (1) or (2) and that he may not have the skills to write a strong recommendation

This is the weakeast link... What's worse?

(a) Include a "weak" recommendation from your current manager and 1 more person (either #1 or #2)

OR

(b) don't include your current manager, get two strong recommendations and explain why your current manager is not included? (simply doesnt know me long enough to appropriately comment).

The question really becomes: "Can you not use your current manager and have that be acceptable?".

I know some schools allow 3 recs... but .... if my current mgr cannot write a story that remains cohesive with the other two, I wonder if that would do more damage than good... This would be the third option .... Include him, and include the other two as well (along with an explanation as to why)

Advice?
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Recommendations 23 Jun 2006, 09:01
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rhyme
I have to pick who to use for recommendations:

My recs can come from:

(1) A Chicago GSB Graduate, Executive Vice President, Director of a PMO Office, staff of over 100. Will know how to write a rec. Has known me in a working capacity for 2.5 years, in an overall capacity 4-5 years. Will take the time to write a good rec.

(2) A Chicago GSB Graduate, Director, other firm. Known me in a professional capacity 9 months, overall, 1 year. Can write a good rec.

(3) My current low level manager. Known me in prof capacity ONLY 3 months. He'd write one, but I'm worried he wouldn't know what to write and he's a "new" manager - probably has very little experience writing these, (if any). He's never been to grad school. I'm also concerned he may not write something cohesive with (1) or (2) and that he may not have the skills to write a strong recommendation

This is the weakeast link... What's worse?

(a) Include a "weak" recommendation from your current manager and 1 more person (either #1 or #2)

OR

(b) don't include your current manager, get two strong recommendations and explain why your current manager is not included? (simply doesnt know me long enough to appropriately comment).

The question really becomes: "Can you not use your current manager and have that be acceptable?".

I know some schools allow 3 recs... but .... if my current mgr cannot write a story that remains cohesive with the other two, I wonder if that would do more damage than good... This would be the third option .... Include him, and include the other two as well (along with an explanation as to why)

Advice?
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rhyme,

The fact that your current manager has only known you for 3 months gives you the excuse to exclude him from your reco letter set for the 2-letter schools. You will want to explain briefly why you are excluding him, but once schools read "3 months" they will be on board. However, for 3-letter schools I think you should include. Is he coachable? Can't you help him complement your other letters with some guidance? This is standard practice these days, and something even the B-schools encourage. Sounds like your real concern is that he may not be enthusiastic enough? If so, that's legitimate but if so ask him straight out if he feels he can as enthusiastic as you need him to be. I have a whole chapter in my book dealing with the reco process in detail.

Good luck,