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gautamaya · Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:04 pm

Hi Stacy,

I really appreciate the time and effort you devoted in answering our questions.

I worked in a multinational corporation for 5 years prior to co-founding a nonprofit organisation half a year ago.

I'm thinking about obtaining my recommendation from the following:
1st and 2nd recommenders: My ex-superiors in the multinational I used to work for.
3rd recommender: Sponsor for one of my projects for the non-profit I am currently running.

Questions:
1) I do not have a superior for the non-profit I am running. Among the people I can approach are a) the people who benefited from our projects, b) sponsors, c) The other co-founder. In your opinion, who could be the best candidate? All these people have known me equally long.

2) Or is it best to include 2 recommenders from my current company or 1 from my previous company?

3) I'm worried that the admissions committee may find me unsuitable as I'm deciding to go to business school barely half a year after I co-founded the fast-expanding non-profit. I understand it really depends on the way I explain it but is it really detrimental to my application in anyway at all?

Thank you so much Stacy.

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Stacy Blackman · Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:44 pm

Which schools are you applying to? Most schools only require 2 letters. In the past, Stanford has asked for a third from a peer. Your co-founder would be perfect for that letter. In the event you are required to submit three letters (HBS is one school that asks for three), I suggest that you use two from your previous job, and one from your current non-profit. I am not sure what you mean by "sponsor". Depending on what that is, sponsor could be a good option, or your co-founder. Unless the people that have benefitted from your work could comment on the way you are running the business, your leadership and management skills, I would steer away from them.

Regarding your final question - you are right - it all depends on how you explain. I assume you have a good reason for wanting to go back to school now. If you can convey that to the admissions committee, you should be fine.

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gautamaya · Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:49 am

Hi Stacy,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I'm sorry I did not make it clear on my last posting.

1) "Sponsor" is actually my client. So between a client and co-founder, who is a better recommender? Both have known me for more than 3 years (even though the nonprofit was started 1/2 yr ago) and can commend equally well on my leadership, management skills and as a person. Many of the MBA guides have commented that clients or supplier are the best in the case of self-employed...I was wondering if they considered the case where there's a co-founder, like in my case.

2) So for schools that require 2 recs, should i ask 1 from ex-direct supervisor in the MNC and 1 from my current nonprofit i co-founded 1/2 yr ago? or both from my ex-supervisors in the MNC (where I worked for 5 yrs)?

Thank you so much for your help.

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Stacy Blackman · Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:58 am

I would go with the sponsor.

If you only have two recs, do two from your old job and perhaps a more informal side letter from your current position.

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aim-wsc · Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:41 am

i know case varies person to person, so i should post it in a separate thread....

dear madam,

but i think i hv a bit similar case.
I hv also set up a firm. & m having trouble finding good recomemdors. (As i never worked for anybody). My partner was my Engg college friend, so is it wise to ask him ( as he is my partner and we founded this company together) to write a recommendation for me.
It sounds very unacceptable; he is just 25 years old ...& to make things worse he s my friend... so Adcom wont just take it.
what do you think. please help.

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Stacy Blackman · Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:36 pm

Your partner would not be an ideal choice. What are your other options? Investors, clients, mentors, business partners at other companies, possibly employees...

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aim-wsc · Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:07 am

[quote="Stacy Blackman"]Your partner would not be an ideal choice. What are your other options? Investors, clients, mentors, business partners at other companies, possibly employees...[/quote]

thanks for the advice.
i ll work upon it.

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