Filling out IB Bonus for MBA Apps

before getting a background check, you sign a waiver that authorizes your previous schools and employers to release confidential information. while I agree with the post above that HR almost never want to comment on performance for fear of litigation, they will release factual information such as dates of employment, positions held, comp and reason for departure if provided with the proper authorization. I am quite involved with executive recruitment at our portfolio companies and we are always provided with that info (although I will admit that for associate recruitment, we use HH and do reference checks, but do not do a full background check).

Now, I don't think that business schools run very extensive background checks. Actually, now that I think about it, I really don't remember filling out authorization forms after being accepted so I am not even sure they actually ran a check. I know it's been almost 15 years, but the dude from SAC Capital who got convicted for insider trading managed to get into GSB while lying about having a Harvard Law School degree (he was kicked out for lying about his transcript...) so it tells you that they didn't run any kind of background checks then.

Anyway, all of that to say that you shouldn't outright lie about your bonus or being rated top quartile, but you can still have glowing recommendation letters nonetheless. Definitely don't lie about your reason for leaving though, there's a section for that when you fill out online form for a reason and although you might be able to get away with it, it would 100% result in your offer being pulled if found out and that's the last thing you want.