We are honored to have joined UnimyPrep’s podcast, PrepCast, to help answer pressing questions MBA aspirants have about the MBA application process. In this episode, our founder, Susan Berishaj, focused on the letters of recommendation.

A few highlights of the questions answered in the podcast are listed below. Listen to the full podcast for additional insights.  

The interview is between Martina Todorova of Unimy Prep and Susan Berishaj of Sia Admissions

Who Should be a recommender?

We are often asked if the highest-ranking individual in the organization (e.g., the CEO) should write the letter of recommendation. When presented with this question, Susan always asks the applicant: “Has the CEO seen you in action?” If they have not seen the applicant in action, they are not the right person to write the letter of recommendation. Instead, the recommender should be someone who has seen the applicant in action – this is someone who has witnessed the applicant’s work, growth, successes, and failures and can illustrate through examples with vivid detail those experiences.

The recommender should be a supervisor (someone that has served a supervisory role over the applicant’s work, including the boss, a project leader, or a client) that can speak to the applicant’s leadership aptitude and potential for future professional success.

Finally, the recommender should be someone excited about seeing the applicant succeed.

Should the applicant write the letter of recommendation?

While we understand that recommenders have a lot on their plate, we strongly recommend against the applicant writing their letter of recommendation for these two reasons:

1.     The applicant can never speak objectively about themselves or are they able to give the letter of recommendation the enthusiasm it requires to communicate their future success as a recommender who believes in them would.

2.     The applicant has a certain mannerism in their writing style, uniquely expressing themselves. Given that the admission committee is skilled and trained at detecting these nuances, they will quickly discern the patterns and immediately reject the applicant.

Given the risks involved, the applicant should not go through applying only to be rejected and potentially barred from ever applying to the program because of dishonesty.  That said, it does not mean that the applicant should let the recommender choose what they want to write. The applicant can support the recommender by providing a comprehensive document that highlights specific examples the recommender can include to emphasize strength and potential for future leadership.  This way, the applicant guides the recommender, but the recommender writes the letter of recommendation in their mannerisms and style.

What do schools look for in letters of recommendation?

Top-ranked business schools look for inspired leaders who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them to make a real impact in the organization or project they are a part of. The schools also want to see that the applicant works well in a team, given that all projects at top-ranked MBA programs are team-based. The recommender should speak about the applicant’s ability to work well in teams, especially in diverse groups.

Business schools also look to admit students that have the capacity for future success. As such, the applicant should communicate their goals so that the recommender can speak to the character traits the applicant poses that are in line with that future goal.

When should the applicant let the recommender know (particularly their boss) that they are applying to b-school?  

The timing of when the applicant informs the recommender of their intent to apply to business school and asks the recommender to write the letter of recommendation depends on who is being asked. At a minimum, the applicant should provide the recommender with the documents required to write the letter of recommendation one (1) month before the target deadline.

Regarding letting the applicant’s boss know of their intent to apply to b-school, Susan recommends that the applicant not inform them too early. Suppose there is a promotion on the horizon or new projects that may be jeopardized because of the news. In that case, the applicant should not risk failing to receive these opportunities by letting their supervisor know about their plans too early.  As such, the applicant’s supervisor should not be informed of their plans earlier than 1.5 months in advance of the target deadline.

Others – those that do not directly impact the applicant’s day-to-day role – can be informed 2 months in advance of the applicant’s target deadline. Having a conversation earlier may mean the recommender forgets about the request. That said, asking the recommender 2-months in advance should ensure that the applicant can rely on the chosen recommender to write the letter of recommendation and it gives the recommender the opportunity to answer honestly – if they cannot support, the applicant has ample time to find an alternative.

Listen to the full episode that addresses these and additional questions in more detail and stay tuned for further insights.