The Application Process

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

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.

it should not be an issue as long as you explain it

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,

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

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

Thanks everyone!