How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation

Advancing your education can be a great way to level up in your career while gaining valuable knowledge and skills. With that said, many business schools have competitive admissions processes. So finding ways to make your application stand out may improve your chances of being accepted into your ideal program.

While no two programs will have the exact same application or admission requirements, most MBA programs typically require at least one letter of recommendation. Asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation may feel intimidating at first, but keeping in mind some practical tips can make fulfilling this part of the application process a bit easier.

The Importance of Letters of Recommendation

In the scope of an MBA admissions process, letters of recommendation serve as an essential supplement to other application materials that may include academic transcripts, a professional resume, a written essay, standardized test scores, and sometimes even a video assessment. More specifically, a letter of recommendation provides admissions teams with a holistic, third-party view of a candidate while further establishing their credibility and demonstrating their overall fit within a specific program.

In many ways, a well-written recommendation letter could also help candidates stand out from other applicants. This is especially true when written from a personal perspective that shares unique anecdotes and examples demonstrating the applicant’s overall fit within a program, in a way that a resume or application form simply cannot.

Steps to Getting Your Letters of Recommendation

If you’ve been successful in your past academic programs and have a strong professional background, there’s a good chance that you have several contacts who would be more than happy to write you a letter of recommendation.

Choose Whom to Ask

First and foremost, do a bit of brainstorming before you decide who you will ask for the letter. Typically, when applying to an MBA program, admissions teams will want to read recommendation letters from people who know you professionally. The expectation is usually that your letters will be written by supervisors, managers, co-workers.

Try to think of individuals with whom you have worked closely in recent years. These are the people who would most likely be able to speak to your strengths and competencies as they relate to an MBA program.

Craft Your Request

Once you know whom you’re going to ask for a graduate program recommendation letter, consider how you’re going to request it from them. In a perfect world, you’d find a way to ask in person. This may be possible if you see the individual on a regular basis, such as at work or in a mentorship capacity. 

Of course, this may not always be feasible. In these situations, requesting a recommendation letter over email may be more convenient (and still perfectly acceptable) as long as you understand some basic etiquette regarding how to ask for a letter of recommendation via email: 

• Be polite and use professional language, even if you know the person well. 
• Be as specific as possible about where you’re applying, the requirements for the letter, and the deadline for submission. 
• If you have a link to your chosen MBA program’s admissions requirements, this can be especially useful to include as a reference in your email.

Provide Any Supporting Materials as Needed

While the individual writing your recommendation letter may have a general idea of the anecdotes and examples they will use to help you stand out as an MBA candidate, it never hurts to provide supporting materials that may help them craft their letter more accurately. 

Once they agree to write your letter of recommendation, provide as much supporting documentation as possible. This should include: 

• The most recent (and relevant) copy of your resume
• Your written personal statement (if completed)

Having ready access to this information can be particularly helpful when writing a recommendation letter and prevent the other party from having to reach out to you with specific information requests.

Follow Up Promptly

Although it’s important (and respectful) to give the person writing your recommendation letter plenty of time to complete it, you may still want to follow up with them in the days leading up to the submission deadline if they haven’t already confirmed that the letter has been submitted to your school of choice. In some cases, this individual may also send a copy of it directly to you.

Regardless, taking the time to express your gratitude is critical. After all, this person invested their time to do you a favor. A hand-written letter or a thoughtfully crafted email can go a long way in letting them know that you appreciate their time and effort.

Your MBA Application Starts with One Ask -OR- Gather Your Recommendations and Take the Next Step

Knowing how to ask for a letter of recommendation for grad school can help streamline your application process while minimizing stress. By choosing the right person (or people) to ask, providing the proper supporting materials, and following up with a sincere “thank you”, you’ll be one step closer to completing your MBA application requirements.

If you’re a busy, working professional who is looking for an affordable and flexible MBA program from a top business school, Boston University (BU) is here to support your needs and objectives. Our 100% Online MBA (OMBA) offers an integrated curriculum developed and delivered by the same world-class faculty who teach in our on-campus program — so get in touch to learn more or get started with your application.