Question on Recommendation Letters

[rhunter]

Hi All!

I finished my M.S. in Mechanical Engineering just over 6 years ago and have been in industry since. I have only been at my current job a year, though they are very understanding and willing to work with me on going to a full time MBA program. I just scored a 720 on the GMAT last weekend - happy to be done - not retaking.

I am trying to figure out whom to ask for letters of recommendation. I can ask people at my current work, but I don't really have definable "superiors" here and I have much more history with my managers at my last job who may be able to speak better to my strengths. Additionally, one of my business partners in my side company is a long time friend/classmate/coworker and can speak better to my strenghts and potential, both in a personal and a professional sense, than almost anyone.

So, the question is two-part:
a) Is a letter from my current employer preferred over one from my last employer, even if it means they have less history off which to base their letter? Or should I get one from here and one from there?
b) Would it be acceptable to use the side-business partner for one of the letters (for the schools allowing 3 letters)?

Quick background:

Undergrad: 2 years working in research labs (almost full time), awarded most outstanding senior design project, started graduate course work during undergraduate senior year - 3.0 GPA
Grad school: 2 years working in a National Laboratory, both on thesis and non-thesis research projects - 3.2 GPA

Work:

- 1 year at an engineering firm working on projects from a wide range of industries with big-name companies
- 4 years at a leading rocket engine manufacturer (subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company) - engineer at the start, moved to business development analyst by the end (responsibilities included managing the internal R&D budget process)
- 1 year at an alternative fuels startup - backed by Google, GE, BP, Northbridge Partners (just to name a few)
- 2 years (on the side) running an engineering consulting and design company assisting other startups who do not have the technical capabilities needed to develop their first conceptual/prototype system. We work to get them to a point where they can then go to investors with something more concrete than a napkin sketch. (BTW, I am hoping this will count as my main extra-curricular activity...there isn't a whole lot of time left in the day between working one startup and running another)

[myEssayReview]

Hi,

Congratulations on getting 700+ GMAT score.

You have masters in Mechanical engineering,with a good gpa. You have six years of industry work experience.

Now your question about the recommenders:

1.It's always the best choice to choose a person who knows your work product inside and out, so even if you "don't really have definable "superiors" here", there should be someone who knows your work well and can write about you. It should not worry you too much because you are in this job only for one year ,and you are already sure of getting a good reco from your managers at your previous job where you worked for a longer period i.e. four years.

2. Yes, it is acceptable to use the side-business partner for one of the letters (for the schools allowing 3 letters)

I hope it helped.

If you find my post helpful, please let me know by pushing the thank button.

[Jon@Admissionado]

a) Is a letter from my current employer preferred over one from my last employer, even if it means they have less history off which to base their letter? Or should I get one from here and one from there?

All schools expect that you get a recommendation from your current employer. If you don't you should have a good reason why you aren't. So yes, it's expected of you.


b) Would it be acceptable to use the side-business partner for one of the letters (for the schools allowing 3 letters)?

Acceptable yes, the best idea? not sure. The problem is that "partners" will never write anything bad about you. So they could praise you to the sky and its just less effective than if you get such a praiseworthy recommendation from a boss.

From the brief things you have written, I would start out looking for a recommender in your current workplace, and then a second at the rocket engine manufacturer. Of course, ultimately there are LOTS of things to consider when selecting recommenders, such as who likes you best, who knows your work best, who is higher-up, who can testify to your leadership. But I think this is a solid place to start.

[youngjames]

there are a lot of factors to weigh when considering a recommender. getting one from a current employer is table stakes. everyone else will have this (and most will be glowing), so NOT having it stands out more. does that make sense?

letters of recommendation cannot get you admitted, but they can keep you out. this is an example of how it might keep you out.

another consideration point for your recommender (and there many!) is to find someone familiar with the MBA admissions process if possible. when i read recommendation letters as part of adcom, the ones from engineers were often very dry, no embellishment, and clearly little understanding of how competitive some of these MBA programs are. they just answered the questions. nthg more. nthg less. no emotion, personality, or "zip" to the recommendation. it's difficult to articulate, but to the degree you can find a recommender who you think will add some character and flavor to your essays, i'd encourage it.

hope that's helpful,
-james young

[rhunter]

Thank you, all, for your responses. I know who I will be initially asking for my letters and I will update when I have my lineup confirmed.

[maverick_084]

hi all,
great discussion going on here... my question is ... is it ok if you can get a recommendation from your immediate superior's boss instead of getting it from the immediate superior himself..? as my job involves lot of direct reporting to and interaction with 'super seniors' , i guess they'll be more considerate and less negative (if at all) than my immediate superior..with whom the interaction happens at all energy levels..and depending on the mood situation see-saws from bonhomie to loud arguments

[myEssayReview]

You sure can get a reco from your immediate boss's boss.