Letter of recommendation tips?

[southbaynic]

I have two people in mind to write my letters of recommendation, both former supervisors (I don't want my current boss to know I'm applying, as I haven't been at my current company all that long). I've looked through the requirements for these letters for the schools I'm applying to, and it is a LOT of work for the recommenders! Some of the schools lend themselves to one letter that can be copied over, but some of them ask really specific questions and discourage generic letters of rec.

My question is, what have you done (or are planning to do) to make this process as painless as possible for your recommenders? I realize it's a huge favor I'm asking of them, and one former boss in particular is a pretty busy and scattered guy. Also, is anyone utilizing more than two recommenders to write letters to different schools to spread out the burden?

I feel like I'm more stressed about this part of the apps than I am about the essays!

[HPengineer]

Where are the questions/criteria for the recommendation letters? I want to get these to my current boss as soon as possible however have yet to see them posted anywhere for UCLA Full time mba..

[southbaynic]

Here's the info for UCLA: https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x27516.xml

If you google "[program name] recommendation letters", the info you need will almost always be in one of the first three pages returned. Unlike essay questions, the criteria for recommenders rarely changes.

[HPengineer]

Thanks this is good.. i just wasnt sure if these question were new each year and released along with essay.

[Kaneisha Grayson]

Here is my advice to you. I did this when I was applying to HBS and I advise all of my clients to do this as well:

Create a Recommender Packet for each one of your recommendation letter writers. This packet should contain:

- a one-sheeter that outlines EXACTLY what you are asking them to (i.e. login information, due dates, names of schools, deadlines, etc.)

- Your resume

- All your essays for the school you are asking them to write you a letter for (not just the questions but your actual responses to the questions)

- a half-sheet summarizing how each school talks about itself--giving the writer an idea of the "personality" of the school

- anything else you think might be helpful that will not overwhelm them

I gave each one of my recommenders this package in a folder and it made everything very easy for them.

And yes, some of my recommenders wrote letters for several schools and others only wrote a letter for one school.

Good luck!

[money9111]

Here is my advice to you. I did this when I was applying to HBS and I advise all of my clients to do this as well:

Create a Recommender Packet for each one of your recommendation letter writers. This packet should contain:

- a one-sheeter that outlines EXACTLY what you are asking them to (i.e. login information, due dates, names of schools, deadlines, etc.)

- Your resume

- All your essays for the school you are asking them to write you a letter for (not just the questions but your actual responses to the questions)

- a half-sheet summarizing how each school talks about itself--giving the writer an idea of the "personality" of the school

- anything else you think might be helpful that will not overwhelm them

I gave each one of my recommenders this package in a folder and it made everything very easy for them.

And yes, some of my recommenders wrote letters for several schools and others only wrote a letter for one school.

Good luck!

::snaps for Kaneisha:: I love the rec packet haha. I'll be putting mine together next week! ::sigh:: process is grueling to say the least!

[Kaneisha Grayson]

Hey! I'm glad you like the advice! You can join my MBA Blogger Promo team and get free access to the webinar. More info here: https://theartofapplying.com/mba-blogger-promo-team/

[aveekguha]

I think the advice above is excellent.

The only thing I would also do is manage the process -- that is set some checkpoints up every few weeks to see if they have any questions, how you could help, etc. A hastily pulled together recommendation is easily spotted, it's really up to you to avoid that from happening.

Good luck!
Aveek Guha, President, https://www.mbadaycamp.com/school_prospects.php

[Jessica@VeritasPrep]

Kaneisha's advice is fantastic. If nothing else, your recommenders will tell the Adcom's that you are incredibly organized and prepared!

I also think it is great that you are concerned about the time commitment for your recommenders. It is a big issue and I always advise people not to ask a recommender to write more recommendations than he/she can easily handle. In fact, the number of good recommenders that you have can often limit the number of applications. I'd try to ask each person to do no more than three. If a recommender seems hesitant, find someone else!! It is much more important to pick someone who will say wonderful things about you and who wants you to succeed than to pick someone with a fancy title. And, lastly, ALWAYS waive your right to see the recommendation letter.

Best of luck!

[southbaynic]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I will definitely be using some of these! I spoke with my busy former boss, and he's on board with writing recs for me, so that is a relief!

[saritalr]

And, lastly, ALWAYS waive your right to see the recommendation letter.

Hi Jessica,

I'm curious - why is this the case?

[Tyler@MBAPrepSchool]

To add an additional suggestion to the very helpful advice you've already received, I suggest that you emphasize in your "one-sheeter" for your references that what ad comms value above all else in recommendation letters are examples of your strengths in action. Share with your references the same "don't just tell them show them" advice that you've probably heard in regards to your business school essays. The schools aren't looking for a character reference or a list of superlatives about you, no matter how flattering. Most of all, the admissions officers want the positive impressions and accolades to be backed up with evidence.

Here's a fictional example of what I mean written from the point of view of a real estate client the candidate had worked for:

In Beijing's fiercely competitive real estate sector, where market intelligence is often difficult to obtain and sometimes unreliable, I appreciated the highly transparent and reliable manner in which Doug conducted the entire engagement. For instance, it was Doug who recommended during an initial, multi-party negotiation that we carry out our talks in an open forum with all landlords involved; I credit his approach with attaining more competitive terms for ABC, Inc.

In your reference letter packets, you might even suggest a few projects the references could point to in your work together that will feature strengths you want to convey in your application.

Best of luck with your references letters and all the elements of your application!

[Tyler@MBAPrepSchool]

And here's a link to another post on BTG with a tip from me and one other admission consultant on how to reduce the burden on references who will be writing you more than one letter.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/post318246.html#318246

[arora007]

Great post!!