Choosing a recommender?

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kellygreen: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 10; Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:44 am

by kellygreen » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:33 pm

I need to choose one more letter-writer for my applications, and I have two options related to my current position - I could ask my immediate supervisor, who I work with pretty closely day in & day out or I could ask our boss - a VP, who I don't really interact with directly all that frequently. I think they'd both agree and would give a favorable reference, so I guess my question is whether it's better to have a less personal recommendation on more prestigious letterhead, or a letter that's really about me from someone less senior in the company. Or do letters really make that much of a difference at all?

Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:33 pm

hk: MBA Student; Posts: 532; Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:39 pmFollowed by: 9 members; Location: Barcelona; Thanked: 33 times; GMAT Score:640

by hk » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:37 pm

I think you should go with your immediate supervisor. Adcoms are known to catch recommendation letters without a personal touch. This personal touch goes a long way in your application. They want to know you as a person in a professional setting. Don't fall for the "Name Myth". It won't matter if you get a recommendation from the President of your company if the recommendation is generic and lack personal insight.

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kellygreen: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 10; Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:44 am

by kellygreen » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:51 pm

Thanks! That's the direction I've been leaning in - I just hear the other advice sometimes and have second thoughts. Maybe I should just ask someone already & quit having to worry about it!

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