View MBA Application Recommendation letters of all types
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- Current direct supervisors
- Former direct supervisors
- Clients/customers
- Peers/colleagues
- Current and former supervisors who are not necessarily direct supervisors (current or former seniors whom you may be reporting to via dotted line authority)
Please note:
- Some content overlap is likely
- 100% perfection in language has been avoided on purpose : Very few recommenders go at lengths to actually draft a letter written in pure, 100% error-free language. A (very) slightly imperfect letter adds a touch of genuineness
- Finally, the samples also indicate some “acceptable/not-so-drastic” weaknesses in light detail. This is for the same reason as 2. above
SAMPLE I: Dartmouth-Tuck MBA Admission Recommendation by Peer/Co-worker/Team member
Please comment upon the frequency and nature of your interactions with the applicant.
I know ABC since the time I joined DEF Inc. in March 2007. We have worked together as loan officers until we both started managing a team. We have been regularly interacting ever since.
What are the applicant’s three principal strengths? Please provide an example of each.
ABC’s principal strengths include a great ability to lead, team skills and strong business judgment.
ABC has the ‘remarkable ability to create and inspire vision: When he talks to people about the future, he makes their eyes light up. Whenever a team member approaches him with any help or clarification, he ensures that the core idea is made clear so that the other person can handle it independently the next time.
Read more of this sample peer MBA admit Recommendation here
Sample II: Stanford MBA admission Recommendation By Former Direct Supervisor
Please describe your relationship to the candidate and the circumstances under which you have known him.
I have known ABC since the year . ABC had been reporting to me During my tenure with DEF Inc. as the business head for Information and Risk solutions. At a very early stage of his career ABC showed great maturity in developing the Fund Services Business. He is an entrepreneur at heart with a demonstrated ability in building business units from ground-up
How is the candidate’s impact on your organization different from that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles?
ABC has great combination of strategic and operational execution abilities. Start-up business units under his management have delivered beyond expectations, considering the time span involved, revenue growth rates and revenue quality. He is one of the few employees who awarded a “Far Exceeds” rating in the year 2002. Typically far exceeds rating is awarded to only top
Read more of this former direct supervisors MBA admit recommendation
SAMPLE III: USC Marshall MBA admission Recommendation By Current DIRECT Supervisor
It gives me pleasure to write on behalf of ABC, who worked with me as Lead Engineer in the XYZ product of DEF. She worked with me for more than 5 years starting from Feb 2002 when she joined my team as a software engineer, till May 2007 when she decided to take a break from her career to assist her father in his business. And after that, too, I have been in constant touch with her as a mentor and a friend.
She has been a valuable asset to the company and has played a part in my success as well. She is a talented person with a strong sense of ownership towards assigned responsibilities.
ABC is technically very strong, and can quickly identify problem areas and present solutions to complex issues. She was also deputed on a special assignment to the United States and South Korea to handle escalations. I still remember an instance when she was part of the core XYZ network upgrade team, and an upgrade was going on in the live customer mobile network. At that time, she was providing remote support from a far off country. Due to some technical complications, the critical process failed. With her quick thinking and presence of mind, she came up with the solution and the upgrade was completed successfully and within the time limit. This not only brought her recognition in form of an award but also but saved the reputation and reliability of the Company.
Read more of this current direct supervisors MBA recommendation
Sample IV: Purdue University, Krannert MBA Admission Recommendation By Current Direct Supervisor
Define how long and in what context(s) you have known the applicant, including the peer group with which you are making comparisons.
I have known ABC since January 2009 when she joined my team at DEF as a software engineer. She has been a direct report to me and has been directly promoted from software engineer to Technical Analyst responsibility (typically we promote Senior Software Engineers to this designation) based on her outstanding performance. The comparison peer group includes IT professionals with similar work experience, education, knowledge and level of responsibility at DEF Inc.
Describe the applicant’s strengths
- Leadership: A very natural facilitator, she has successfully steered both local and onshore (international location) teams despite absence of direct, formal authority
- Process driven: She is adept at process flow analysis, developing comprehensive manuals and ensuring their usage
- Excellent communication: Top-rated for both written and verbal communications, she is also great at explaining complicated technical details to clients/non-technologists in a simplified manner.
Read more of this current direct supervisors MBA recommendation
Sample V: ISB (Indian School of Business) Sample Admission Recommendation By Client
Under what circumstances and for how long have you known the applicant? (50 words max.)
I have known ABC since past one year. He is our one-point-contact with DEF Inc. for financing some of our projects. He has also helped us in areas other than his job.
Please rate the applicant’s achievements when compared to those of his or her Peers and mention the reference group for comparison. (100 words)
I rate ABC among the “Best of the Best” officers from his company. I have come across several officers during these years, but none have serviced our requirements with such commitment, creativity and resourcefulness. I fully rely on ABC for all our QRS requirements. He has gone out of the way in helping us twice. This is truly commendable.
Read more of this MBA admission recommendation by client
Sample VI: Emory University Goizueta MBA Admission Recommendation By Former DIRECT Supervisor
How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?
I have known ABC since January 2003 when I first met him as a visiting lecturer at XYZ. He was among the best students in the subject of “General Insurance for Corporate Managers” at the institute. He went on to join our company as a Management Trainee in my Branch. Later he was promoted to Assistant Manager after passing the Licentiate Examination.
In what area is the applicant most exceptional?
ABC is most exceptional in the area of Intellectual ability. He is very quick at learning new concepts and applying those. I have noticed this strength right from his days as a student.
When he was assigned to Fire and Engineering Insurance, he was quick to pick on the nuances of Risk Inspection. In less than a year one his clients remarked that his “assessments are as insightful as a seasoned underwriter”. He would extensively study the businesses of different industry clients (multiple industries) and develop shrewd pricing plans. I recollect a double digit reduction in the overall claim experience in his accounts – that being a key success parameter in the industry. As a client interface, he had the knack for understanding the clients’ business, identifying product-positioning opportunities and pitching those effectively.
Read more of this MBA admission recommendation by former supervisor
Sample VII: Rochester University Simon MBA Recommendation By Current Senior or Dotted Line Supervisor
It is a pleasure to write on behalf of ABC who has worked with me as Deputy Manager-Mortgage Sales. I have known ABC since November 2006 when he joined my team as Assistant Manager. He has been an asset to the company and has played a part in my success as well. He is a talented manager with a strong sense of ownership towards assigned responsibilities.
ABC’s performance has been definitely outstanding in my opinion. He has the knack for understanding the business and U.S. market. His research in this field of mortgage combined with a structured approach towards prospecting has led him towards high levels of productivity. Rated the # 1 employee (FY 2007), he was well-respected by the team as a product expert. In our department, the average loan officer has an application-to-closing ratio of 40% and good performers have a success ratio of 60%. ABC’s closure rate exceeded 80% which has, as yet, been an unbroken record.
Read more of this MBA admission recommendation by current Senior or dotted line supervisor
Sample VIII: Erasmus University, Rotterdam MBA Recommendation By Current, DIRECT Supervisor
How long and in what capacity have you known the candidate?
I have known ABC since he joined DEF in August 2004. He was hired as graduate trainee engineer. On successful completion of the stipulated training period, he was inducted as Operations and Maintenance Engineer.
What is your opinion of the candidate’s motivation and suitability for a career in management?
ABC is a self-motivated and responsible professional. He has a very positive attitude towards taking on challenges and adapting to change. He is always willing to learn, absorb and apply new areas of knowledge and is gifted with a sharp intellect. I foresee tremendous managerial and leadership success.
Read more of this MBA admission recommendation by current direct supervisor
Sample IX: IE Business School MBA Recommendation By Current, Direct Supervisor
When did you meet the candidate for the first time and in what capacity have you known her/him?
I have known ABC since Oct. 2006 when I met him in an event organized by him on behalf of DEF. I am among his first clients during his tenure as Relationship Manager. Ever since, he has been a very trusted financial consultant and I value his opinion in all related spheres – be it my mortgages, investments, insurance or any kind of financial transactions.
What do you consider to be the candidate’s main strengths?
- Competence in his/her area of expertise: ABC always takes the time to understand my financials and suggest the perfect fit solution/financial instrument for needs. Right from Day One, I knew that he would manage my funds/investments with a clear sense of accountability. He is highly analytical and is always in touch with the pulse of the financial markets.
- Detail-oriented: Adept with numerical and other market details, his financial planning and recommendations have been very meticulous and incisive
Read more of this MBA admission recommendation by current direct supervisor
Ayan Halder says
Hi MBA Admission Gurus,
I am applying in R2 and need some advice with the LORs. First and foremost, I would like to know if an LOR needs to be written only by my current official supervisor? or my previous supervisor under whom I had initially joined (and who is no more serving at my current organization) also works?
Secondly, I do feel that my senior colleague (to whom I report to) is even though not my official supervisor, he knows me better and has better writing skills than my official supervisor. So in this case, is it better to get it written from my senior colleague?
Also, there are usually 2 recos asked from us. Can both be from colleagues (who knows me better) or one of them has to be from my reporting manager?
Thanks in advance,
Ayan
MBA Admission Gurus says
Thanks for your post Ayan. I believe we are already in touch via email by now. All the very best for your GMAT this week! Cheers!
Pritesh Birla says
Dear MBA Admission Gurus,
Could you please post recommendation letters for students, written by their teachers (Academic letter of recommendation for MBA admission).
Thanks
Pritesh Birla
MBA Admission Gurus says
Hi Pritesh,
Thanks for the suggestion. We will definitely look into it in the coming season. Meanwhile some of the existing MBA Recommendation letter samples (peers and others) might come handy for your specific ideation.
The faculty’s recommendation letter should always open with your performance in the subject he/she taught. If it’s the Dean or department head, performance in multiple subjects can be covered. The following can also be covered (A) Performance during extracurriculars or co-curriculars and (B) Internships…
Thanks
David Fernandez
Vikas Solanki says
Can you please review my recos here as well. I got two recos from my Team leads. What is the procedure to get the recos reviewed..??
mbaadmissiongurus says
Hi Vikas, Pl. fwd. your recos to [email protected]. Estimated charge per reco review (with consultation and final edit) will be mailed to you. Once enrolled, the review will complete in 1-2 working days. Thanks
Betsy Caroll says
Thanks guys. The MBA admission recos are really handy. I had my own draft prior to reading these and would love to have them reviewed by you. Betsy
mbaadmissiongurus says
Thanks, Betsy. We will be contacting you shortly via the email provided. Are your MBA admission recommendations – both – from supervisors themselves? You can review multiple varieties of recommendations here – clients, peers, immediate supervisors, previous supervisors, peers. We will soon have academic recommendations for MBA too. Cheers!
Amit Goswami says
Hi Haresh and Team – Really Business and management-success focused recos here. I am not apply for an MBA but still got a similar reco done from my earlier boss. Have mailed it for editing arrangement. Talk soon, Amit.