I'm applying to a handful of top joint MBA/MAs. Me: 99th percentile standardized test scores, magna cum laude from ivy league school, great work experience in a "sexy" role at the premier technology company.
1st letter of rec: my manager, who is just now himself a student at an HBS/GSB/Wharton equivalent, having left our team just a couple months ago. Using him instead of current manager for obvious and understandable reasons (more intimate familiarity with my work experience, leadership, teamwork, etc.).
2nd letter of rec: Here's the issue. I worked at a top 5 b-school as a research assistant directly after college. This was 3.5+ years ago. The professor I worked for (full, tenured, big deal at the program) said he would be "very happy to sing my praises" but told me that I should know that, since our working relationship was 1:1, there wasn't much about teamwork or leadership that he could really articulate. My alternative is the slightly salty, slightly crazy startup founder I worked for in between b-school prof and my current role at technology company, who thinks I walk on water but is basically a loose cannon, wants me to write my own recommendation, and is liable to re-arrange anything I do compose for him without warrant or purpose. He will say that I'm a genius, which b-school professor probably won't do (for good reason; I am not a genius). But b-school professor will write a very nice recommendation, and is a fucking tenured b-school professor with clout worldwide.
SO! Do I go with B-school professor, who on the one hand is a prestigious source, on the faculty at one of the schools to which I'm applying, and very pleased with/approving of my work, but on the other hand already says he can't vouch for "leadership and teamwork" and is 3.5 years out of my orbit? Very unsure here.
Sorry if this reads like the grossly pathetic meanderings of the overprivileged, which it frankly is.
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Why can't you get a 2nd letter from work?
I already have one letter from work (see "1st letter of rec" above). Are you saying it would be better to get a second letter of recommendation from a middle manager who is not my direct supervisor, than from a past supervisor who is faculty at a top b school?
Not being facetious here; genuinely curious.
Most applicants get two letters from work, so that's not a big problem. And as you said yourself, this past supervisor who is faculty isn't going to be able to write about your soft skills, which is what you want to emphasize in the letter.
What exactly is your role at this tech company? Surely there is a more senior person that is not your direct supervisor that you work with on a daily basis?
Unless you really want to be a Ph.D, I recommend second recommendation, even volunteering project coordinator works better than Prof
Faculty rec in this case seems best assuming you actually spent meaningful time working under him. E.g. if this was a senior year thesis project that bled an extra summer or something I probably would not use him. But as long as you feel like you had meaningful interactions and he has a few interesting anecdotes to share about your personality, research interests etc then I think that would be fine. Sounds like you are in good shape either way - good luck!
Disclaimer: I also made this video a few yrs back about soliciting b-school recs:
Thanks. Also, relatably contradictory and kafkaesque video, much appreciated. This entire process makes me feel like a fraud.
cool video
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