Throughout the MBA application process, you’ll effectively put together a campaign based on your personal story making the case for why you should be accepted to your target school(s). Many people find it challenging to tell their personal story in a logical and compelling way within the limited business school application materials. Therefore, recommenders are a critical part of the MBA application process because they provide the admissions committee with an outsider’s perspective of your story.
Choosing the “right” recommenders is a key decision. Choosing the wrong recommenders and/or not managing the process effectively can be the difference between being accepted and getting dinged. Consider the following tips when selecting your recommenders:
1. Know your MBA application.
Very few applicants have a perfect business school application, so being aware of your strengths and weaknesses is important. Admissions committees evaluate multiple aspects including undergraduate performance, GMAT/GRE, community involvement, leadership experience, work experience, professional progression, global exposure, and school fit. Do you have weaknesses in one or more of these areas? If so, how can your recommenders improve your story in those areas?
Perhaps you have a poor GRE/GMAT score and didn’t have a strong quant undergraduate performance. In such a scenario, admissions committees may question your ability to handle the academic rigors (especially quantitative) of the curriculum. Therefore, consider a recommender who can provide examples of your strong analytical ability. It will be key for the recommender to provide details about the quantitative skills you’ve exemplified in specific projects, thus demonstrating your ability to do the quant work required in an MBA program. This should be easy if you have a math-heavy role in the finance, marketing, operations, or accounting department, but it may require more creativity if your role is not inherently quantitative. If the latter scenario applies to you, consider what type of analysis you thrive in on a regular (or quasi-regular) basis.
If you do not have direct reports, your recommender can help illustrate your leadership qualities. This can include managing up, leading a particular project, or even mentoring people who do not report to you. Since leadership is not solely about being the boss, you potentially might have many examples that show you as a leader, and your recommender can tell this part of your story.
2. Remember that titles don’t matter.
Although it may be tempting to ask the head of your company to write a letter on your behalf, this decision could backfire. The admissions committee would much rather see an MBA recommendation letter from a direct supervisor who worked with you every day than one from a CEO who barely knows you. Recommenders are commonly asked two questions—one relates to the applicant’s performance and maturity relative to peers, and the other pertains to a time when the applicant received constructive feedback—so it’s logical to think first about who knows your peer group and who has given you constructive feedback.
The best letters of recommendation include strong, specific examples exhibiting your characteristics as well as how you grew, stood out from your peer group, or improved the company. Such illustrations are best and most authentically told from the perspective of those you work with the closest. Therefore, choose a recommender who has worked closely with you and can speak to your attributes and strengths firsthand.
I recently had a client ask if this advice means that she should not use a recommender who has a high-level, C-suite title. She feared that the admissions committee would be turned off by seeing such a lofty title despite the fact that she worked with this person very closely. Fear not—as long as you are choosing someone who knows you, your work product, and your strengths really well, no title (lofty or not) will be a turnoff.
3. Consider who cares the most.
Ask yourself one simple question: of all the recommenders you’re considering, who do you think cares the most about you going to business school and advancing your career? The best letters are often written by recommenders who care deeply about the MBA candidate. Given that applicants often apply to multiple schools, and each school utilizes different questions and ranking systems, the process can be quite demanding for a recommender—often more than they may have expected. Consequently, a recommender who cares is more likely to spend the time needed to write a strong letter—highlighting thoughtful examples, using superlative language, and speaking favorably about your strengths and attributes. I had a client whose MBA recommender thought the process would be simple but then found the recommender questions to be daunting. Therefore, my client had to regroup and find a new recommender—who turned out to be a much better choice, as they were a true champion and advocate for my client.
Most of the top MBA programs still require two letters of recommendation, with the expectation that one of them will be your current supervisor. However, there are some cases where getting a recommendation from your current supervisor is not feasible: 1) telling your current supervisor could potentially harm your standing in the organization; 2) your boss is new to the role, is not familiar with your work, and would not be able to provide the level of detail or care required; 3) you work in a family business where your mother or father is your supervisor (and the admissions committee does not want a letter from your parents); or 4) you’re an entrepreneur and you’re the boss.
The admissions committee understands these situations and allows (or, in many cases, requires) you to explain why you don’t have a recommendation from your current supervisor—whether in the optional essay or an essay specifically devoted to explaining your choice of recommender. Just be direct and honest about your situation. For these situations, you can choose an old boss you worked closely with, significant clients who can speak to your work product, a supervisor from a community group you are involved in, or a peer IF they have good standing in the company and can provide great detail about your accomplishments and strengths.
4. Manage the recommender.
Engage your recommenders early, and be respectful of their time. They likely are busy and in demand, so make the process as easy as possible for them. Likewise, if a potential recommender is too busy (or just not available, such as on maternity leave), then don’t force it. As you approach potential recommenders, focus on nurturing your relationship and providing guidance regarding the process. They will be appreciative, and you will get a better letter.
To provide guidance, let the recommender know the basics: how the process works, what they need to submit, the deadlines, the schools to which you’re applying, and the actual questions. As they gain comfort around their obligations, you can prepare the recommender with some further direction. Highlighting key traits you’d like to demonstrate throughout the MBA application and reminding them of specific situations they could write about will help empower them. Remember, you know your story and your business school application better than they do, so you must take the lead in describing the process and what will make it successful.
For example, if you have a stellar GMAT score and a solid undergrad GPA, perhaps they can provide insight beyond those numbers. Therefore, remind them of situations where you had to demonstrate leadership or communication skills. Was there a time when you overcame huge obstacles to get a desired result? Or perhaps there was a situation where a client was not responding well to bad news, and you were the one who smoothed things over. These are the types of examples you should arm your recommenders with so they can tell the stories from their perspective.
The process of choosing the right recommender can be stressful, and doing so is an afterthought for some applicants. When you’re ready to begin the process, follow our “Four Steps to a Five-Star MBA Recommendation.”
An MBA is a very personal endeavor. Take the time to be thoughtful and strategic about your business school application. If you’re looking for a coach to help you navigate the complex and competitive MBA application landscape, as well as a team to champion you along the way, reach out to one of our counselors for a free 30-minute consultation. All of Stratus’s counselors have degrees from top MBA programs and would love to support you in your next phase in life!