Letters of Recommendation - Please Help

Hello WSO.

Wanted to ask on here what the consensus is for letters of recommendation. Specifically have questions listed below, but if anyone has any additional insight that would be helpful please feel free to comment.

  • How well should your recommenders know you?
  • What is the process or best way to ask them to write it?
  • How big of a time commitment is it for them?
  • How soon before they are due should you ask?
  • How important is this to your overall application?
  • How recently should you have worked with them? - ex. if you are applying 3 years out of college, can you ask a professor or supervisor from an internship?
 
Most Helpful

Is your question related to letters of recommendation for MBA applications?

If yes, check out [4 Steps to a 5 Star MBA Recommendation][]

Any recommendation should be RECENT and RELEVANT. See answers to your specific questions below: How well should your recommenders know you? - Very well. These individuals should have supervised your work and be able to speak to the contributions and impact you have made in your role. What is the process or best way to ask them to write it? - Nurture the relationship in the months/years leading up to the 'ask.' Float a 'trial balloon' by letting them know your intention of applying and ask if they would be willing to write a great recommendation. Best to do this in person so you can assess their reaction and possibly opt for another person if they seem uncommitted. How big of a time commitment is it for them? - If you prepare the appropriate materials for them it should be 2-3 hours to write the first recommendation then 15-45 minutes to tweak for subsequent recs. How soon before they are due should you ask? - You should make the formal ask 4-6 weeks before the deadline. If you are applying in R2 for MBA (deadlines in the first weeks of the new year) you may want to ask more like 6-8 weeks from the deadline. How important is this to your overall application? - Very important. This is the one component for which adcom is getting someone else's candid assessment of you. How recently should you have worked with them? - ex. if you are applying 3 years out of college, can you ask a professor or supervisor from an internship? - College professors are RARELY the best people to write a recommendation. A supervisor from an internship from 3+ years ago that you did for 10 weeks is neither RECENT nor RELEVANT.

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

If applying for deferred admission, you will want your supervisor from a summer internship to write a recommendation. I would advise against a professor unless that individual has advised you on independent research or was a faculty advisor for a club or organization in which you had a leadership position (e.g. advisor for the investment management club or fraternity/sorority advisor). Good luck!

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

Planning on applying for deferred admission programmes this year. Would it be inappropriate for my high school headmaster to write my CBS LOR? The topic is  "Please share how you feel the applicant will contribute to the Columbia Business School classroom and community"; I think my old headmaster would be well-equipped to answer as he has seen me contribute to my high school's community (scholarships, awards, positions of responsibility etc.) and we have kept in touch ever since.

I would appreciate all of your thoughts on this matter. Many Thanks.

 

It depends. Have you continued to be engaged with your high school since you graduated? If not, although his insight would be relevant, his enagement with you is not recent.

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

Architecto est quidem deleniti consectetur. Accusamus voluptatum vitae illo est nulla officiis aut hic. Deleniti magni non earum eum. Eos quo animi vitae omnis. Accusamus accusamus facere rerum.

Qui aliquam et harum ullam fugit consequatur. Dolore sit quam blanditiis quis temporibus fugit. Quis quo dolorum ipsam ut. Cupiditate sit hic qui quam. Laborum ducimus nobis et reiciendis ea omnis.

Adipisci nam aliquam voluptas praesentium. Quas sequi sed harum non laborum. Velit provident et eaque aut assumenda. Deserunt ut nostrum ipsum beatae voluptatem dolorum. Quibusdam mollitia maxime sit amet natus amet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”