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dchen
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Recommendations and Rounds for Application Updated on: 17 Oct 2010, 06:55
Originally posted by dchen on 07 Aug 2010, 23:42.
Last edited by dchen on 17 Oct 2010, 06:55, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi,

1. I assume best to apply second when I have had some experience/practice/more time on my essays. Or should I just apply to all second round? I have written drafts of my essays but they're not very good..I need to ask for recommendations very soon (hoping within a week) if I apply for any first round.

2. How many schools does a typical applicant apply to?

3. I am thinking of asking for the following recommendations.
Harvard: three recommendations, two professional
Stanford: three recommendations, two professional (one current), one peer
Wharton: two, preferably from supervisors

2. I just changed to another office within the company, so I would only have been working with these people for ~2 months. Do you think I should explain why I cannot ask these people for recommendations, or should I wait for 2nd round to ask them to write a recommendation??

3. I am thinking of asking my advisor to write a recommendation. However, I am not sure how good a recommendation he would write because it's been 3 years since I've seen him.

4. None of above?

Thanks so much.
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Recommendations and Rounds for Application 09 Aug 2010, 20:26
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dchen
Hi,

Hi I'll reply inline this time.

1. I am thinking of applying to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Chicago, maybe Kellogg. I think I can get my act together and apply to one first round and the others second round. Any advice for how to approach this - i.e. HBS is my top choice, so I assume best to apply second when I have had some experience/practice/more time on my essays. Or should I just apply to all second round? I have written drafts of my essays but they're not very good..I need to ask for recommendations very soon (hoping within a week) if I apply for any first round.

It is very doable to apply to 1-3 schools with early October deadlines as long as you already have completed the GMAT and especially since you have first drafts.

2. How many schools does a typical applicant apply to?
It varies. 4-6 is pretty typical.

3. I am thinking of asking for the following recommendations. Does anyone have advice?
Harvard: three recommendations, two professional
Stanford: three recommendations, two professional (one current), one peer
Wharton: two, preferably from supervisors
Chicago: two, at least one from supervisor
Kellogg: two, at least one current

I am thinking of asking:
1. EITHER: A past supervisor who is an "executive director" level in finance at a bulge bracket, who I think really liked me, served as a mentor and can probably give a good recommendation, though I get the feeling he wants me to stay within the firm so not sure how that will impact it. He was Penn undergrad and did not attend Business School
VS
A past supervisor who is an "Associate" level in finance at the same company, so less senior as the Executive Director. He also really liked me and we had a great working relationship. However, he is less senior.
------> Which would you suggest? I think either one would write a great recommendation, but the associate is a lot more dependable (I know i can be 100% frank with him), however, the executive director is two ranks senior

I would go with the Associate level supervisor. You don't want is a luke warm rec.
2. I just changed to another office within the company, so I would only have been working with these people for ~2 months. Do you think I should explain why I cannot ask these people for recommendations, or should I wait for 2nd round to ask them to write a recommendation??
As long as your recommenders meet the requirements (not all school ask for current supervisors), don't explain. If they ask for a current supervisor, provide a brief explanation.

3. I am thinking of asking my undergrad thesis advisor to write a recommendation - he is a currently HBS faculty. However, I am not sure how good a recommendation he would write because it's been 3 years since I've seen him. I know he liked me during the process but it's not like I worked closely with him every day. I don't really have any other suitable non-professional recommendations from the last 2 years that I think would be impressive.

You could ask him. Could he comment on your leadership skills or other personal qualities? Do you have someone else who might be better?

4. None of above? It seems like I have decent professional recommendations and not sure about the peer rec...also the Stanford app asks for a peer that is NOT a supervisor...I suppose my thesis advisor was a supervisor. Any other suggestions?
Friends, teammates, colleagues at work...

Thanks so much.
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You might be interested in MBA Letters of REcommendation that Rock, an ebook currently on special.

Best,
Linda