Do I have to ask my current boss for a rec to b-school? Is it probably best to?

Not sure if I'll go or if I'll get in, but I want to go through the application process so that a few months from now I can consider my options.

I'm sure I could get a good recommendation from my boss, but I have had a couple (good) jobs prior to this one. Should I just ask those prior bosses, or is it best to get a rec from your CURRENT supervisor?

note: this has probalby been asked before but I'm not coming across this question here or on other websites.

2 Comments
 

Not necessary at all to get a recommendation from your current supervisor. I once heard a b-school admissions officer tell me that when it comes to letters of recommendation, it is all about simply "ticking off a checkbox." In other words, you need to have them in order for the application to be complete, so not having them is obviously a big problem... but they are much less important than one might be led to believe. I was even shocked once to hear another admissions officer say quite bluntly that in most cases she didn't even bother reading rec letters unless they were "written by someone famous or important" (her words, not mine).

Still, if you have to "tick off this checkbox," you might as well do the best job you can of it, so you should ask whoever is willing and able to write you the strongest letter.

 
Best Response

Aut nam architecto tempore dolor velit. Porro aut deleniti esse harum.

Dolore asperiores nisi debitis. Eligendi eaque qui quia. Nemo qui sunt aut aspernatur dolore optio. Qui perspiciatis quod veritatis exercitationem placeat.

Voluptatem molestiae qui reiciendis. Aut est dolorem non sit placeat. Id quibusdam rerum sed voluptas.

Betsy Massar Come see me at my Q&A thread http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/b-school-qa-w-betsy-massar-of-master-admissions Ask away!

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”