Essay and Recommendation letter.. little help needed

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akash1229: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 8; Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:39 am; GMAT Score:640

by akash1229 » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:25 am

hey stacy! how you doing? umm i was writing these essays for some of the schools i am applying to and it just crossed my mind..

1. If a school has ..say 3 essays and one of the essay submitted to them is with professional help while the rest two arn't. How would the school react to it if they wind a difference in the overall feel of the three esaays?

2. since this school has a requirement of 3 essays .. does it mean it gives more weightage to the essay bit?

btw i have received recommendation from my former employer sealed in an envelope.. but i dont think he has mentioned the date when he typed in the recommendation.. Would this be a matter of concern.. im not sure if you would write or type me another recommendation coz he was pretty un -supportive about it in the 1st place.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Stacy Blackman | Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:25 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:33 am

Dear akash1229,

You should absolutely be concerned if the writing style of one essay is nothing like the other two. The school will assume you did not write the one that is different and will probably reject you on the basis of fraud. You might think that sounds harsh, but it is a serious problem in business school admissions for applicants to turn in essays written by someone else. I would highly encourage you to either rewrite the one you had help with so it matches your other two or get help on the other two so they match the first one. Essays are not weighted heavier than other components of your application, but they are extremely important and can make a big difference in your decision. You should take the essays very seriously.

As for the recommendation, are you sure you want to use it if "he was pretty un -supportive about it in the 1st place"? Sounds to me like you might want to find another recommender and just throw that recommendation away. If you decide to use it, do not unseal the envelope and submit it as is. However, if the school has reason to question its legitimacy, then it is possible the school might try to contact that recommender.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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akash1229: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 8; Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:39 am; GMAT Score:640

by akash1229 » Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:47 am

hey lisa.. I have been trying to match the quality of the first essay but im not sure if it does. since the professional essay editing guys charge a bomb, I just took their help for the typical SOP type of questions of various schools.

If there is some difference between the essays.. couldn't it be interpreted to be as having worked more on one essay than the rest.

as for the recommendation.. im definite my recommender will say its legitimate.. since it is

The recommendation has his signature all around the envelope and also his business card stapled to it.

I was the first person who has ever asked him for a recommendation and so he was un-supportive about it (since he thought it was against the policies of the organisation to give out letters like that.. and had to ask the HR dept about its possibility etc...was kinda lame about it) This is why I dont want to ask him for another one with date. The people in brokerage firms are pretty laid back and bureaucratic so to say..

I already have recommendations from another employer, a professor and need one more.. but since iv worked the most with the former most and need one more recommendation I would prefer submitting his also.

I am just hoping the recommendation without the date doesnt count for negative points or anything as such.

P.S : sorry for my bad english its 1.15 am out here and am very tired.. but I am also very tensed!

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:12 am

You should do your best on your essays having the same writing style. As long as the variance is not great, it should not be a problem.

I'm not so concerned with the lack of a date on the recommendation. As long as it is submitted in the proper form and the school can reach him with any questions, you should be fine.

Regards,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

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