BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

Reco. from supervisor - Expert advice needed

Share tips as you apply, write essays, interview...
Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 9:35 am
by jimmy4444 » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:21 am
Hi,
Desperately trying to understand this. A few schools like Stanford, Insead and LBS have stated explicitly that they prefer letter of recommendations from current supervisor. Columbia states that it requires a letter of recommendation from current supervisor. Asking my current supervisor would mean that he'll start looking out for people for my role. This could also adversely impact my bonus & promotion. While a few B-schools allow for an explanation for an alternate reco, columbia has not stated that this is fine. Would request some advice on how should one go about it. Does it significantly impact your application?
Regds
Jimmy
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — The Application Process |
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:53 am
Thanked: 4 times

by Toddius » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:52 am
Why don't you email the school and explain your situation? I'm pretty confident they'll tell you it's fine to go with someone else.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2109
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pmFollowed by: 79 members
Location: New Jersey
Thanked: 109 times
GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Tue Jul 12, 2011 4:57 pm
it should not be an issue as long as you explain it
My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.

My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog

Me featured on Poets & Quants

Free Book for MBA Applicants

Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:23 amFollowed by: 11 members
Location: Los Angeles/NY
Thanked: 58 times

by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:24 pm
MBA programs understand that there are circumstances under which getting a boss to write a letter could threaten your position. And in this economy, that is something to be very careful about. As long as you proactively address why you are not asking him, you will be fine. Just make sure you choose folks who have worked with you directly over a material period of time.

Regards,
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 9:35 am

by jimmy4444 » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:48 pm
Hi guys,
Thanks for the response. I have good relationships with supervisors in my earlier jobs who have worked with me for more than a year. Do you think it will be a good idea to have them recommend me? What about Columbia? Should I write to them asking if it makes sense to apply without fulfilling an application requirement?
Thanks
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:53 am
Thanked: 4 times

by Toddius » Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:24 pm
Jimmy,

If Columbia is where you'd like to be - I'd simply email someone in their admissions department and ask them how they think you should handle it. Admissions people get emails like that all the time. There's also the optional essay - which seems like a logical place to explain why you used a different recommender than they requested. But don't take it from me - get it directly from the people that work in admissions at Columbia.

Good Luck,

Todd
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 9:35 am

by jimmy4444 » Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:58 pm
Thanks everyone!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1