Getting Academic References

[smillner]

I'm applying to two different business schools in Halifax, NS for next year's admission. I've spoken to the Dean at one school and the MBA department head at the other and both suggested I'd be a good candidate at their schools.

...However, one of the schools requires an academic reference letter. Problem: I've been out of college for a number of years now - I graduated from Boston U in Jan. 2004. All the professors I've had there are no longer with the university, and I'm unsure of how to get an academic reference. I can certainly get some educational references regarding photography seminars, but these are hands-on classes, not through any accredited university. What do people do in my situation?

(To clarify, I'm a photographer. Been running a studio for 4 of my 5 years since college.)

[smillner]

Really? No one has any insight as to the importance of an academic reference for those of us whom have been out of school for some time???

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear smillner,

I apologize for the delay in responding to your question. I'm not sure I have the best solution for your dilemma, but I do have a couple suggestions for you to consider. First, I think an instructor from a recent photo seminar is probably the best choice, so you might want to contact the admissions office to see if that will qualify as an academic reference. If not, then I think you will have to try and track down an old professor or explain your situation to the admissions office and ask them for guidance on who might qualify. You won't be the only one in this predicament, so I think a seminar instructor will suffice.

Good luck,
Lisa