How to ask for an MBA recommendation letter
A letter of recommendation can be a valuable firsthand testament to your skills. But, for some master's in business administration (MBA) applicants, knowing how to ask for an MBA recommendation letter may be intimidating.
This guide explores the best ways to ask for an MBA recommendation letter. Plus, learn who to ask and what the letter should include to help increase your chances of acceptance.
Why are MBA recommendation letters important?
Letters of recommendation can add necessary context to your application. By offering an external perspective, recommendation letters can help admissions committees better understand who you are and how your experience makes you a good fit for their program.
A strong recommendation letter should be around one page long and provide insight into your work ethic, character, and ability to accept feedback. For example, your recommender may describe how you made a difference in your community or work environment.
Components of a recommendation letter
Introduction
The beginning of your recommendation letter is a great place for your reference to introduce themself. Have them outline their credentials, experience, and how you worked together.
Body paragraphs
The body of your letter is where your reference can go into detail about their time working with you. They may include information about standout characteristics, including:
- Professional skills: Your reference can highlight how your skills qualify you for an MBA program and make you stand out among other applicants.
- Long-term goals: Your goals can show your commitment to excellence in your MBA concentration and beyond. A good MBA recommendation letter may provide insight into how your goals make you well-suited for the program.
- Ability to accept feedback: How did you implement feedback? Your reference can describe a specific example of when you showed a positive attitude toward growth and development.
- Leadership traits: Since earning an MBA can qualify you for leadership positions, your reference may attest to your leadership qualities.
Conclusion
At the end of the recommendation letter, your reference can briefly restate why they believe you'd excel in an MBA program. They should also provide their contact information before ending with a respectful sign-off like “sincerely," “best," or “regards."
What is the Common Letter of Recommendation?
Many top business schools, like the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stern School of Business at New York University, use the Common Letter of Recommendation. This preformatted letter aims to reduce stress for recommenders and applicants. It provides clear guidelines to help letter writers provide useful information for admissions committees.
The common letter has three sections:
- Information about the reference: The first section allows your recommender to establish credibility and introduce themselves.
- Leadership assessment: In the second section, your reference can describe your strongest leadership qualities.
- Open-ended questions: The third and final section is where your reference can express, in their own words, what it was like to work with you.
Who should you ask for an MBA recommendation letter?
Some applicants may try to impress admissions committees by asking company leaders in important positions for letters of recommendation. However, a direct supervisor likely has more hands-on experience with you than the company's CEO.
Ask someone who you worked with directly, such as:
- Current and former supervisors
- Professional or academic mentors
- Experienced colleagues
- Former professors
- Trusted business clients
Make sure to give your reference ample time and a specific deadline. It may help to discuss how the letter could support the rest of your application. You may also want to give them more information about your application, such as your statement of purpose, résumé, and a list of schools you're applying to.
What if I have no one to ask for a letter of recommendation?
If you're struggling to find someone to ask for a recommendation, you may benefit from networking opportunities. Networking groups and business mentorship programs can help you develop new connections and allow you to work with leaders in your field.
You can also look for volunteer opportunities where you can exhibit your professional skills. That way, you can expand your network within your business community and meet someone qualified to write your recommendation letter.
When to ask for your recommendation
Your reference is likely an experienced business professional with a busy schedule. Therefore, they may need some time to write your MBA recommendation letter. Try to give them at least six to eight weeks to complete it.
Many business schools accept applications in stages. But you should still give your reference six to eight weeks, regardless of when you plan to apply. It's also a good idea to compile all of your MBA application requirements, including recommendation letters, at least a month before submitting.