Pick someone who knows you.
The preferred letter seems to be from your immediate boss, the person you work with on a daily basis. Of course, he or she may be the last person you intended to forewarn about your project for heading to business school the following September. The school recognizes this, and will understand if it is more expedient for you to have chosen other recommenders. Nevertheless, by asking your immediate supervisor you are also making a clear statement to the school just how committed you are to the MBA project.
It is clearer from the questions asked by other business schools that it is better not to approach a professor from college for one of your recommendations. Though well-placed to describe academic achievement and class participation, they would struggle to describe your potential for senior management. If you in a doctorate program however, your academic supervisor would be a natural choice.
Other alternative recommenders could include clients and suppliers. Given that they are expected to describe the circumstances under which you have worked together, make sure to choose a professional contact with whom you have a substantial working relationship (not just selling them advertising space every six months).
In some cases your recommender may have been to business school, perhaps even to Wharton, and is well-versed with the need for a detailed letter, and well-placed to identify the qualities required of a successful student at the school.
Coach your recommenders
Make sure they know why you are applying to business school and what you want to get from it. Ask them to include anecdotes or particular details that might be enlightening to the Admissions Committee.
Ask for specifics
The more specific your recommenders can be, providing concrete examples of your abilities, contributions and achievements, the better the Admissions Committee will be able to understand you.
Give them time
Writing a good letter of recommendation requires considerable time and effort. To ensure the best results, speak at length with the recommender beforehand, perhaps even taking them to lunch. Describe the process of application, your motivation for the school, and what is expected of them. This could prove invaluable for a boss or colleague from two or three years back who may appreciate the reminder of your roles and achievements during your time working together.
Try to give them six to eight weeks to complete the letter, making sure they know the deadline you are trying to meet. A phone call or e-mail in the ensuing weeks enables you to keep track of their progress, until the letter is finished, placed in the envelope with their signature on the back, and either sent directly to the school or returned to you to include your application.
Questions asked in the Wharton Letters of Recommendation for 2007 admissions
1. Please tell us the peer group you have chosen to use, and free to explain any of your ratings in your evaluation.
2. Define your relationship to the applicant and describe the circumstances under which you have known him or her.
3. Comment on the applicant’s personal integrity.
4. Please discuss observation you have made concerning the applicant’s leadership abilities, team and/or group skills.
5. How would you describe the applicant’s sense of humor (seriously)?
6. Please discuss the applicant’s most salient strengths?
7. Please discuss the applicant’s weaknesses. What efforts has the applicant made to address these issues?
8. If you have additional comments that you think would assist the Admissions Committee in making its decision, please add them here.
9. Your overall impression of the applicant.
Matt Symonds is co-founder of the QS World MBA Tour, and author of the bestselling book on applying to b-school, “Getting the MBA Admissions Edge”. An experienced public speaker in more than 40 countries on TV, radio and at conferences and seminars public presentations, Matt is an authority on Graduate Executive Management Education.
Source: www.TopMBA.com