Thanking Your Business School Recommenders
Originally published on January 17, 2022. Updated on November 26, 2025.
During the season of Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect time to take a pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for. If you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you may still be in the thick of applications. And if you applied in Round 1, you’re likely anxiously awaiting your schools’ decisions. But no matter where you are in the process, there is one thing it’s important not to let slide – thanking your business school recommenders.
As you can imagine, it takes significant time and effort to prepare and submit this critical application component. While your recommenders were likely happy to support you, it’s still work—on top of everything else on their plate. You get it—you’ve been balancing work and applications for months.
Start with a Thoughtful Note
Expressing gratitude for their efforts is more than appropriate. So, what’s the best way to do this? Your business school recommenders may be slightly older than you or may not share your interests or lifestyle, and that can feel intimidating. We get it!
But the goal is simple: acknowledge the time and care they dedicated to helping you. It’s not about extravagant gifts or large dollar amounts. The best place to start is always with a handwritten, sincere thank-you note. Anything you choose to pair with it is just icing on the cake.
A Few Gift Ideas
That said, here are some ideas to get you started.
- A nice bottle of wine, such as a red in the $30-40 range, is a generally a crowd pleaser. A site like wine.com can help you navigate the options.
- Some low maintenance greenery, like a succulent from Lula’s Garden, is a nice way to brighten your business school recommender’s office this winter.
- The MOST delicious pears from Harry and David are always a treat. Seriously, they are amazing and worth every penny.
- If your recommender is a cocktail connoisseur, a cocktail kit from Cocktail Courier can give them something special to look forward to after work.
- A box of luxurious chocolates from Bridgewater Chocolates, offering a variety of handcrafted treats, makes for a thoughtful and indulgent gift.
- f your recommender supports a particular cause, a donation to a related charity is a meaningful and heartfelt way to say thank you.
Personalization is Key
At the end of the day, you likely know your recommenders well enough to be familiar with their interests. Personalization and thoughtfulness are key to a thank-you gift that truly conveys your appreciation.
If you’re a Round 1 applicant, decisions will start rolling out next week. For Round 2 applicants, now is the time to focus on finishing your essays and ensuring your recommenders are actively working on their submissions. Wherever you are in the process, taking a moment to thank your recommenders is an important step you don’t want to miss.
For those navigating the Round 2 application process, here are some some articles to peruse:
How Long Do MBA Applications Take and Am I behind for Round 2?
Whose Advice Really Matters on Your MBA Applications?
A Final Thought on Gratitude
We’re sharing a quick video from our founder, Melody Jones, on how gratitude might be your biggest competitive edge in the MBA application process…and in leadership.