How to use Support Emails on the Application Process

Support emails are short letters sent by an MBA student, alumnus or professor of a certain school to the admission committee of that school in order to support a candidate applying to that school. Although they have relatively small impact on admission chances, good support email at the right timing can make the difference between acceptance and rejection, especially in waitlist situations.

Here is the ARINGO's briefing on support emails, based on past meetings with admission committee representatives:

1. The support email is written in an informal "internal memo style" to the admission committee or, preferably, to a specific admissions officer that is responsible for your region. It could also be addressed to the head of admissions.

2. The support email is written, among other reasons, because the writer is concerned that the school will have the best student body possible.

3. The support email honestly describes the length and nature of the relationship. The "superlatives" should be in accordance with the nature and length of the acquaintance. The support email should be "gentle" in nature.

4. Support emails are usually sent in the few weeks following the application submission date.

5. We recommend up to two supporters per school.

6. Do not feel discouraged if you have no email supporters. Most candidates do not have any. Effective support emails could give you a small advantage in the admission process.

7. Extraordinarily strong support emails may significantly enhance your candidacy.
Ineffective support emails may hinder your candidacy (for example, lukewarm content, emails that "smell" from nepotism, emails that seem to originate from the candidate rather than from the supporter).

8. Support emails must feel and be authentic. Therefore, they should be different for each "supporter" and each candidate.

9. Harvard Business School seems to be exceptional among the b-schools in its approach towards support emails. HBS will probably be less influenced by such emails, at least during this season.