Letters of recommendation - how old is too old?

Hey guys, just a quick one: How old is too old for a letter of recommendation? Do they have to be from a few weeks/months ago, or is it possible to send in a letter of recommendation I received 1, 1 1/2 or 2 years ago? Thanks!

 
Best Response

Too early & impractical.

B-School recs are almost universally done online (a series of questions on a web-based form). Some of the questions change from year to year, but most are the same. Your recommender will have to fill out separate forms for each b-school (it is a pain, but many of the questions are similar). Check out their websites.

Stay in touch with the guys (not just your boss), have drinks/dinner every few months, and ask them in the year that you actually apply. Most B-schools ask for 2 recommendations, some ask for 3, so it will be useful to have them as references even though this is your first job.

Also, get your MBA early. The sooner the better for this kind of thing.

 

Thanks guys, it makes sense to wait.

@Relinquis - I would start applying early but all the schools that I'm looking at have an average work experience of 4-5 years. I'm not a financier, I work in industry (corp fin) for one of the majors in Houston so I think I might need more experience when compared with a fast-paced work experience of a banker.

 

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