how to get recommendations on several requests! :(

Share tips as you apply, write essays, interview...
This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 153
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 3:33 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:1 members
Hi,


I some questions regarding the MBA application process with several recommendations.I'll break them down in parts

As one normally tends to apply on average to four/five MBA programs, some MBA schools demand that the recommender open an account with the university where he will be able to send his referrals directly.

1) One problem I have is that since I have been working internationally on assignments, majority of the recommender's are spread out globally.They are usually very busy higher management people, and although they do know me well and will be pleased help in this regard as well, but maybe making them write four or five 'different times' will be an overkill and they will not necessarily be pleased by it in the end!..how to go about it?.

2) Majority of universities require two referrals, is it fine If one provides three?...all are important to me to fill in with.

3) Also is this ref-feral, by a same referee, usually the same for all universities or he has to change his statement of purpose again and again?



Please provide any guidance regarding this.

Thanks!

Aslan

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 213
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:15 am
Location: Austin, TX
Thanked: 44 times
Followed by:31 members
GMAT Score:620

by Kaneisha Grayson » Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:00 am
Hi Aslan,

I've posted a response to a very similar question that you can read at the following link (In my response, it's topic #1): https://www.beatthegmat.com/question-abo ... 69386.html

And no - do not send more than the number of requested recommendations.

Good luck!

Kaneisha
Harvard Business School MBA 2010, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2010
Founder, The Art of Applying
Admissions Consulting for MBA, MPP, Joint Degrees, and Fellowships
https://theartofapplying.com

Want free advice that actually works? Sign up for my weekly MBA, MPP, and JD newsletter here: https://theartofapplying.com/newsletter/


My clients have earned over $3.1 million in fellowships from Harvard and other top MBA, MPP, and JD programs since 2010.

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 153
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 3:33 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:1 members

by aslan » Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:25 am
Hi Kneisha,

Thanks for replying to my query!.

I have read the links that you have attached, but the problem still remains the same.No matter how much sugar-wrapped-methodical info I send them, they would still have to write all those recommendations individually to each school.They already know me pretty well and also in constant touch, so they do not really need to finds out how I'm as an individual or to see my resume again (I worked for them).

One thing that a couple of colleagues did (though I don't really follow that approach) was to send their own typed recommendation to the recommender for how they would like them to be written, (with some self congratulatory matter as well) and the recommender's happily typed those away without too much brain drain....not pretty honest I think, but both sides were happy!

Also I would like to know how many copies of which documents (original) the adcoms usually like to see?...in my country some originals are not available after a while and specially for high school (its been 7 years for me, after undergrad).How to go about it?

Thanks

Aslan