How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for MBA Abroad?

Admission to an MBA program in renowned B-schools is highly competitive. Applicants have to put their best foot forward to crack the admission process. Besides strong academic credentials and prior work experience, supporting documents such as an MBA letter of recommendation are crucial in determining admissions. A recommendation letter for MBA program is an endorsement of a candidate by attesting to their skills, qualifications, and abilities. It aids the admission committee in determining whether you are a good fit for the program.

In this blog, we will uncover an MBA recommendation letter example, how to select a recommender, advice for getting the perfect MBA reference letter, and more!

What is a Recommendation Letter for MBA Student?

An MBA letter of recommendation is one of the most crucial pieces of your application for admission to an MBA abroad. A sample MBA recommendation letter from supervisor is required to add credibility to your application as it is written by an outside person who knows the applicant in an academic or professional capacity. It is important because it is the only document in your application not written by the applicants themselves. Applicants can request LORs from a professor, instructor, or employer who can testify to their proficiency in the subject, experience, and potential for success.

What is the difference between SOP and LOR for MBA?

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for MBA?

A letter of recommendation is a subjective document that depends on the observations of the recommender. An MBA reference letter should have 4-5 short paragraphs that discuss the recommender’s relationship with the applicant, skills relevant to the program, and specific examples that help the evaluator with necessary information. The basic structure of a LOR is discussed below:

Paragraph 1:

Address the letter to the admissions committee or to whom it may concern with a greeting. The beginning of your LOR should specify the relationship with the applicant and answer questions like how long and in what capacity do you know the applicant? It should also mention the designation of the recommender.

Paragraph 2:

The second paragraph of a LOR should focus on the evaluation of the applicant’s qualities including both personal and professional attributes. This must include concrete examples to back the claims as it adds more credibility to the letter. The recommender must highlight how the applicant stands out from other candidates with similar qualifications.

Paragraph 3:

In this paragraph, the recommendation writer should be able to connect the applicant’s academic and professional history to their future goals. The LOR may include instances of how the candidate has created an impact on a person or organization.

Paragraph 4:

Before concluding the letter, mention any details that you think the admissions committee should know about the candidate. It is important to reinforce your trust in the candidate’s capacity to excel. The ending of your LOR should convince the selection panel to offer admission to the candidate. Finally, the recommendation writer must provide their name and contact details such as phone number and email address.

Note that the above structure is merely intended for reference. The exact number of paragraphs in an MBA recommendation letter template can vary depending on the details that the writer plans to highlight.

MBA LOR Requirements at Different B-schools

The table below summarizes MBA reference letter requirements for top B-schools to offer a clear idea of the expectations:

MBA Recommendation Letter Template

Take a look at the sample letter of recommendation for MBA from professor, supervisor, or principal:

To the selection committee,

As the principal of [name of college], I have had the opportunity to observe [name of student] work closely with faculty members and students in both academic and extracurricular capacities. It's with great pleasure that I am writing this letter to recommend his/her name for admission into an MBA at such a prestigious B-school, [name of university].

Throughout his/her time at [name of college] pursuing a BBA, he/she has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, dedication to work, and willingness to contribute to the success of our college. [Name of student] will truly be a gem in your MBA cohort of 2024 [or any relevant year] contributing meaningfully to the diverse and dynamic community that your program fosters.

[Name of student] is an inquisitive individual with a knack for learning new skills. He/she is an extrovert who loves to interact with people and build new connections adding a collaborative spirit to his/ her personality. He/ she is a very approachable person and has served as the College Representative for 2 consecutive years. He/ she has taken the initiative to organize seminars and activities at college, making sure everything went according to the plan.

I firmly believe [name of student] will shine brightly in your MBA program as he/she can handle pressure well and respond positively to obstacles. The wealth of knowledge accumulated from this program will help achieve her goals in life. He/she is a committed individual and I hope the best for him/her in life. Please feel free to contact me at the details provided below in case you have additional questions.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Designation]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

Tips for Obtaining a Strong MBA Recommendation Letter

Keeping in mind the following tips can help you avoid the common pitfalls and obtain a more polished and timely MBA reference letter:

• 
  Choosing the recommender: Selecting the right recommenders is one of the most important decisions for any applicant. Asking the wrong person to write a LOR for you can prove to be a big disadvantage for your application. Therefore, pick someone who truly understands you well and can speak about your abilities confidently.
• 
  Request a LOR early: Ask for recommendation letters well in advance to ensure that the writer has sufficient time to compose a well-thought-out letter. Last-minute requests for LORs can result in the omission of crucial information.
• 
  Guide the recommender: Your letter of recommendation must cater to specific skills and experiences that enhance your application. Therefore, you may need to guide the recommender to emphasize your qualities with concrete examples. It is necessary to help the writer understand the requirements of the program.

What should you know befor applying to study abroad!

In Conclusion

Our MBA recommendation letter sample and guidelines will help you choose the right recommender and make your application stand out. It is essential to collaborate with the LOR writer to ensure that the document is personalized and comes out as more than just a general letter addressed to the admissions committee. Check that your MBA reference letter has all the key details required to boost your profile. Get in touch with GyanDhan experts for assistance in MBA admissions abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions