The Application Process

Hi,

I would like to know if the recommender questions in the MBA application for the following 5 schools the same each year.Can someone let me know?

1.Harvard
2.Tuck
3. MIT Sloan
4.Boston University
5.Babson University

Reason for asking this question is that I plan to apply for 2010 fall - graduating class of 2012 and these schools dont have their application for 2010 fall online yet.I want to be ready for Round 1 and hence would like to request my recommenders as soon as possible.


Thank you,
Sireesha.

The questions may change slightly however you can still prepare yourself by:

-Deciding who your recommenders will be (should be people who can articulate your professional growth, accomplishments, and goals)

-Clearly outlining your short and long-term goals

-Determining why you have selected each program,how you "fit", and how the program will aid in the achievement of your goals.

A little advanced preparation will help you assist your recommenders in the creation of effective LORs.

Dear Sireesha,

Thanks for your post! It's great to see that you are being proactive about the admissions process and looking to get a head start.

Overall, I tend to agree with Nikhil - your time is going to be best spent selecting the right people and then thinking through your own positioning and fit.

In addition to that, however, you should consider preparing packets of materials for your recommenders to read before they tackle the online forms late this summer. These packets (broadly known as "recommender outlines") typically include:

1) A list of target schools, along with specific reasons you are applying to each program/why there is 'fit'. Letting your recommenders know this can help them understand how you are positioned vis-a-vis each program.

2) Anecdotes list. This is a summary of your work with the recommender with a focus on specific examples/milestones to help jog their memory as they approach the letters. Great rec letters are loaded with real examples as opposed to 'blank praise.'

3) Candidacy Strengths and Weaknesses List. This helps the recommender understand how the schools might perceive your candidacy, so that they can bolster any areas that need support and avoid red flags.

4) Your MBA resume. So that they can see excatly how you are presenting your background to the schools.

5) Application Essay(s). It's good for recommenders to read at least some of your materials before they delve into the rec forms. This helps them further understand your approach and provides some consistency.

As you can see, there is plenty of work to do in terms of preparing your recommenders before they even begin looking at the questions in the online forms. For more in-depth guidance on how to prep these materials you should investigate the Clear Admit Recommender Guide (downloadable from our web site). The Guide includes step-by-step instructions, guidelines you can print out and share with your recommenders, a list of all the questions used by top schools, sample letters and much more. You can find out more here: https://www.clearadmit.com/ss_reco.html.

Best of luck,

Graham

Mr. Scottie and Mr.Graham,

Thank you very much for providing a detailed approach to the recommendation part of the application process.I will definitely follow through your advice and start my part of the work right away.

I really like this forum for this very reason.I apreciate all the help.

Thank you,
Sireesha.

Hi,

I have some qns on getting recommendation letters.

1) Usually how many recommenders do you need? 1 academic, 1 work (your current manager) and 1 personal?

2) If I need a work recommendation letter, I feel uncomfortable to ask my current manager. Because this will alert my manager that I am wanting to leave and I am guessing it will also hurt my year end bonus (ie why would he give me a good bonus at the end of the yr since I will potentially be gone) & hurt my job prospect in his team (this will be an issue if I do not get into an MBA sch of my choice and hence stay in my current job). But I know my current manager can write me a good letter based on my past performance. So how do you advise in this situation?

thanks