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29 Mar 2026, 09:09
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi everyone,
I’d appreciate your advice on choosing a recommender for MBA applications (target: Columbia J-Term 2027).
Context:
• I work in my family business (manufacturing, international focus)
• My role is cross-functional (marketing, strategy, international expansion)
• I don’t have a traditional direct manager due to the structure
My options:
1. Strategy/Management Consultant
• Worked with me across departments
• Observed leadership, coordination, internal transformation
• Structured, analytical, strong communicator
• More formal, objective, strategic thinker
2. USA Expansion Consultant
• Worked with me on international business & client interactions
• Saw me under pressure in real commercial settings
• Strong industry background (ex-senior roles)
• More informal, energetic, relationship-driven
My Concern is since both are external consultants (paid by the company), could this raise credibility concerns with admissions?
Questions:
1. Is a consultant a risky choice as a primary recommender?
2. Does being in a family business make this worse?
3. Should I prioritize:
• A more “traditional” recommender, or
• Someone who knows my work deeply?
I would say the management consultant have observed me in more detail and worked with me directly more frequently.
Would really appreciate insights, especially from similar backgrounds.
Thanks.
I’d appreciate your advice on choosing a recommender for MBA applications (target: Columbia J-Term 2027).
Context:
• I work in my family business (manufacturing, international focus)
• My role is cross-functional (marketing, strategy, international expansion)
• I don’t have a traditional direct manager due to the structure
My options:
1. Strategy/Management Consultant
• Worked with me across departments
• Observed leadership, coordination, internal transformation
• Structured, analytical, strong communicator
• More formal, objective, strategic thinker
2. USA Expansion Consultant
• Worked with me on international business & client interactions
• Saw me under pressure in real commercial settings
• Strong industry background (ex-senior roles)
• More informal, energetic, relationship-driven
My Concern is since both are external consultants (paid by the company), could this raise credibility concerns with admissions?
Questions:
1. Is a consultant a risky choice as a primary recommender?
2. Does being in a family business make this worse?
3. Should I prioritize:
• A more “traditional” recommender, or
• Someone who knows my work deeply?
I would say the management consultant have observed me in more detail and worked with me directly more frequently.
Would really appreciate insights, especially from similar backgrounds.
Thanks.
29 Mar 2026, 09:39
Kudos
Bookmarks
A more traditional recommender should be ideally your guide/mentor/superior. All the Best.
31 Mar 2026, 09:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
If you are working in family biz, you would get recommendations from a person who works with you as a vendor , a client or someone else who does not report to you. You should not take one from someone who is on your company's payrolls like a senior manager who you may be reporting to.
In that case getting it from one of the consultants who is not directly employed by you (but represents a company) can be alright. Eventually you have to ask someone who has worked closely with you and it can not be an employee, so the consultant; or vendor or client (better) will have to do the job. When you say traditional- who exactly do you have in mind?
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
In that case getting it from one of the consultants who is not directly employed by you (but represents a company) can be alright. Eventually you have to ask someone who has worked closely with you and it can not be an employee, so the consultant; or vendor or client (better) will have to do the job. When you say traditional- who exactly do you have in mind?
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
