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!
I guess one year should be definitely fine. I'm not sure though, but a one year old letter of recommendation doesn't seem to be thaaat far ago..
Thanks for your response.
Are there any other opinions?
Thanks for your response.
Are there any other opinions?
Bumping this thread for you, I also would like to know.
I guess you can just call the school and ask. that is the kind of information they should have
Your recommender will be required to submit a new recommendation from their work email, and answer specific questions. You can't just sent an old letter of recommendation you have lying around
Letter of Recommendation - Working post-undergrad for about 13 months (Originally Posted: 03/07/2012)
I have been working (post-undergrad) for about 13 months now. I will be leaving this job to move into another job within company. I feel like I've done a good job and my boss has said some encouraging things to me regarding my work.
I don't plan on applying for B-School for another 3-3.5 years. I was wondering if I can ask for a LOC from my current boss now?
I know in a lot of cases the recommenders have to address a specific school but how do I tackle that issue if I plan on applying to 5-6 B-Schools?
Is it too early to ask for a LOC? By the time I send it off it will be pretty dated.
What do you guys think?
stay in touch with your boss and ask him in the future -- its not a simple 'letter' that they send in there are questions specific to each school and all that
also, the b schools will see the old relationship as being dated as well, best to pick something closer n with more seniority
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.
I think it might be a better plan to just keep in touch and then when you actually apply ask for a letter.
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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