When applying for an MBA program, one of the most important components of your application is the letter of recommendation. These letters provide admission committees with insights into your abilities, work ethic, leadership potential, and overall suitability for the program. A well-crafted recommendation letter can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance, while a weak or generic one may hinder your application.
This article outlines the dos and don’ts of obtaining and submitting letters of recommendation for your MBA application, ensuring that you present yourself in the best possible light.
The Dos of MBA Recommendation Letters
1. Choose the Right Recommenders
Your letters of recommendation should come from individuals who know you well and can speak credibly to your professional achievements and potential for success in an MBA program.
- Do: Select recommenders who have worked closely with you and can provide specific examples of your accomplishments, leadership, and impact. Ideally, choose managers, supervisors, or colleagues who have directly observed your work and can offer detailed, meaningful insights.
- Do: Consider including a recommendation from someone outside your direct work environment if they can provide a different perspective on your strengths—such as an academic advisor, mentor, or client.
2. Provide Clear Instructions
Recommenders are busy professionals, so it’s crucial to provide them with clear and specific instructions to ensure they understand what’s expected of them.
- Do: Share the details of the MBA program you’re applying to, including any specific qualities or skills the program values.
- Do: Inform them about your career goals and how the MBA program aligns with your ambitions so they can tailor their recommendation accordingly.
- Do: Provide a deadline for when the letter should be submitted, and ensure they have enough time to craft a thoughtful and compelling recommendation.
3. Supply Supporting Materials
To help your recommenders write a strong and specific letter, provide them with supporting materials that will guide their writing process.
- Do: Offer your resume, which highlights your achievements, responsibilities, and key skills.
- Do: Provide examples of projects, accomplishments, or challenges you’ve overcome that demonstrate your leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, or teamwork.
- Do: Share a draft of your personal statement or any essays you’re submitting for the application so that your recommenders have context about your motivations and goals.
4. Request Specificity and Evidence
Generic recommendation letters are less effective than those that provide concrete examples and specific stories about your performance and potential.
- Do: Encourage your recommenders to include specific examples of your leadership, problem-solving abilities, work ethic, and how you’ve contributed to your team or organization.
- Do: Ask them to focus on your strengths and growth. A great recommendation letter should highlight how you’ve developed over time and demonstrate your potential to thrive in the MBA program and beyond.
5. Follow Up Politely
After providing your recommenders with the necessary materials and information, stay in touch to ensure they submit the letter on time.
- Do: Send a polite follow-up email about a week before the deadline to remind them of the submission date.
- Do: Express your gratitude for their time and effort in supporting your application. A thank-you note can go a long way in maintaining a positive relationship.
The Don’ts of MBA Recommendation Letters
1. Don’t Choose Recommenders Who Don’t Know You Well
One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is choosing recommenders who don’t know them well enough to write a strong letter. A letter from someone who can’t speak to your abilities or character won’t help your application.
- Don’t: Ask for a letter from someone who doesn’t have a direct working relationship with you, such as an executive you’ve never worked with or a professor you only took one course from.
- Don’t: Choose recommenders who might write a generic or lukewarm letter simply because of their title or position. A passionate, detailed letter from someone who knows you well is far more valuable.
2. Don’t Overload Your Recommenders with Requests
It’s easy to fall into the trap of asking for recommendations from multiple sources without considering how much time and effort it will take for the recommender to complete each letter.
- Don’t: Overwhelm your recommenders by asking them to write multiple letters for different programs or submitting the same letter for various applications. This can lead to rushed, impersonal letters.
- Don’t: Pressure your recommenders into writing the letter quickly. Respect their time and give them adequate notice.
3. Don’t Use a Template or Generic Letter
A generic or template-style recommendation letter does not provide the depth or personalization that MBA admissions committees are looking for. Admissions officers can tell when a letter lacks authenticity or doesn’t speak to the applicant’s unique qualities.
- Don’t: Provide your recommenders with a pre-written letter to simply sign. This defeats the purpose of a personalized recommendation.
- Don’t: Rely on a one-size-fits-all letter. Each letter should be customized to reflect the applicant’s strengths and experiences in a specific context.
4. Don’t Ignore the Program’s Guidelines
Each MBA program may have specific guidelines for letters of recommendation, including who can write the letters, the format, and the content. Ignoring these guidelines can reflect poorly on your application.
- Don’t: Submit letters that don’t adhere to the MBA program’s guidelines. Failure to follow these instructions may suggest that you lack attention to detail or the ability to follow directions.
- Don’t: Choose recommenders who are not permitted by the program’s guidelines (e.g., some programs may restrict family members from writing recommendations).
5. Don’t Forget to Thank Your Recommenders
A thank-you note might seem like a small gesture, but it’s an important part of maintaining professional relationships.
- Don’t: Fail to express gratitude. After your recommenders submit the letters, take the time to thank them for their support.
- Don’t: Assume they know how much you appreciate their effort. A personal thank-you note or email can go a long way.
How to Ensure Your Letters of Recommendation Stand Out
To make sure your letters stand out and make a strong impact on the admissions committee, consider the following tips:
- Highlight Unique Qualities: Ask your recommenders to focus on aspects of your character, accomplishments, or leadership style that are not covered elsewhere in your application. This adds depth to your overall profile.
- Be Specific and Action-Oriented: Strong letters of recommendation often include specific actions and results. For example, instead of simply stating that you’re a “strong leader,” the letter could describe a situation where you led a team to success, highlighting your leadership traits and the results achieved.
- Address Weaknesses or Gaps: If your application has any potential weaknesses (such as a gap in work experience or a lower-than-expected test score), you may want to ask a recommender to address these in a constructive way, offering context and explaining how you’ve grown or worked to overcome these challenges.
Conclusion
Letters of recommendation are a key element in your MBA application, providing insight into your strengths and potential that test scores and grades cannot. By carefully selecting your recommenders, providing them with the necessary context, and following best practices, you can ensure that your letters of recommendation make a positive and lasting impression on admissions committees. Avoiding common pitfalls, such as choosing the wrong recommenders or submitting generic letters, will give you the best chance of securing your place in your dream MBA program.