Top B-School | Insead | Recommendation letter

Question

Hi all,

I'm currently planning to apply for Insead next September and wanted an advice regarding the recommendation letter. I've 2 years experience at Intel & Vodafone and then started our family business along with my uncle and my cousin.

is it advisable to take a recommendation letter from my uncle or not? I want to leverage this because he was a former minster and former chairman of Orange but I don't want it to look bad on my application since that he is my uncle?

GyanOne · Answer

Not advisable to take a recommendation from your uncle, as he is family. Look at a client or a professional manager senior to you (in case that is possible).

pabpinor · Answer

I strongly disagree with the previous post, depends on how long you have worked at Intel & Vodafone, 2 years is at each place or altogether? For how long have you been at your family/own business?
If you have been working for some time already in your family business it is advisable to have a letter from your uncle, check Insead recommendations. What could be better is a letter from one of your suppliers/customers that you work with, be creative about it, at the end is best if is someone that knows you well and has evidences to share in their recommendation.

Regards,
Pablo

shadyhussein · Answer

Thanks Pablo for your feedback. I worked at intel for a year and a half and 6 months at Vodafone and with the family business for 4 years till now.

given that he's a former minister and chairman of one of the top telecom in the country wouldn't give more weight for my application?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

I think applicants are a little turned around about recommenders. It honestly does not really make a huge difference who they are but more about what they say about you what they communicate about you. So status Factors to be disregarded. you do want someone who can provide anecdotal evidence of you demonstrating leadership teamwork and problem-solving. it's truly ideal to have a client or someone outside of family to narrate these types of stories however if you don't have anything like that, or if This is really all you have is it possible for him to be submitting the letter as your supervisor without necessarily revealing that he is your uncle.

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Posted from my mobile device

shadyhussein · Answer

Thanks Farrell for your reply

pabpinor · Answer

Vodafone 6 months sounds too short unless if it was an internship, probably you will have to explain why.

If you have been the last 4 years in the family business I do think that both letters should be related to it, it is where you have spent your recent time so the ones that are most updated about you.

About your uncle's previous titles I do no think that would make a difference if he has not interesting insights about you and your potential.
If he does then maybe is better than someone that also has them, but unless he is a relevant donor for a school endowment (and even if) should not make a difference because of his status/position; if he holds an MBA or is an alumn of the school could be more relevant.

Regards,
Pablo

GyanOne · Answer

Do factor this into your decision as well: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-insead-a ... 57-60.html

pabpinor · Answer

If you have solid customers/suppliers that know you well and can talk about their experience working with you it is good, but if your uncle is your boss and you have work 4 years for him, and do not have enough quality experience with suppliers/clients he could be one.

Anyway, in this situation better contact the schools and explain your specific situation with details, they were very helpful with me.

Anyway, in this situation better contact the schools and explain your specific situation with details, they were very helpful with me.

IAMUTD20 · Answer

I definitely agree with Gyanone here. I was in a similar situation and I reached out to the Admissions team. They clearly stated to me that recommendation from family members is not advisable. In my case, I ended up taking a recommendation from my client.

bb · Answer

Top B-School | Insead | Recommendation letter

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