MBA Recommendation Questions
We know it’s a bit unnerving to ask someone for a recommendation without knowing what they’ll be asked. Luckily, we’ve done all the legwork for you and have gathered all of this admissions cycle’s MBA recommendation questions from the top business schools in one central spot.
Usually each school’s rating grid and recommendation questions are visible only to your recommenders. Below you will find details on the questions that your recommender will see after you submit their name and contact information in the Recommenders section of your online MBA application.
It’s also worth noting that many programs now use the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation. Be sure to check out (and share with your recommender) our GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation Analysis for MBA Applicants and Recommenders.
Bookmark this page for your convenience as a reminder of this year’s MBA Recommendation Questions and as you go about crafting the perfect application(s)! Good luck everyone!
2025-2026 MBA Recommendation Questions
Do Not Require Recommendations
IE Business School does not require letters of recommendation, but applicants must provide contact information for two academic or professional references.
OSU Fisher does not require letters of recommendation, but applicants must provide two references for admissions to contact if needed to make an admissions decision.
Rochester Simon does not require or accept letters of recommendation, but applicants must provide contact information for two professional references.
SMU Cox does not require letters of recommendation; instead, they request two contacts to serve as professional references if needed.
USC Marshall does not require a recommendation as part of their application process.
WashU Olin does not require a recommendation.
Clear Admit Resources
If you (or your recommender!) are looking for more detailed strategic guidance on this element of the business school application process, we encourage you to check out the Clear Admit Recommendation Guide. This 45-page PDF publication is available for immediate download. Go beyond the MBA recommendation questions. Learn who your best options are for recommenders, and how to coach them to write winning letters of recommendation.
MBA Applywire
Experience includes technical leadership, instructor tenure and digital transformation initiatives. Led cross functional teams and managed projects with multiple stakeholders.
Preference for STEM designated MBA. Scholarship opportunities are a major factor in school selection.
Would appreciate feedback on whether my profile is better suited for consulting or PM roles post MBA?
I want to provide a clear picture of my background, impact, and what drives me. I hold a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering, but I pivoted my career to finance, strategy, and operations. My profile is defined by hands-on business operations, a strong "Builder/Product" mindset in consulting, and community leadership.
Early Business Foundations (Family Automotive Business):
Before entering corporate consulting, I worked as a Digital Operations & Strategy Analyst at my family's automotive business. I transitioned the company from a low-foot-traffic physical storefront to an inbound digital sales model. I managed a rotating digital inventory of 20-25 vehicles across major automotive marketplaces. I also conducted pricing analysis using national pricing index trends and tested multiple acquisition channels to focus exclusively on high-intent leads. This hands-on commercial experience was the catalyst for my pivot into corporate strategy.
Professional Impact & Tech Automations (Big 4 Firm - Risk Consulting):
Currently, I work as a Business Consultant in Risk Advisory at a Big 4 firm, executing SOX controls testing for enterprise clients across 10+ countries. In my daily routine, I actively hunt for operational bottlenecks. For example, in a recent project auditing an industrial automation multinational, my team was tasked with manually reviewing 104 complex contracts and measurement bulletins. Recognizing the severe inefficiency, I mapped the workflow and implemented an AI-driven solution using Microsoft Copilot, Python, and VBA to extract data directly from system prints. Furthermore, I utilized DataSnipper and custom AI prompts to eliminate manual data entry, directly contributing to the fastest Phase 3 SOX delivery in the client's history for the EME region. I also acted as the sole regional beta tester for the firm's proprietary GenAI platform, providing direct UX and functional feedback to the US-based Product Management team.
Extracurricular Leadership (The Community Builder):
Outside of the corporate world, I am the Co-Founder and Treasurer of a local non-profit baseball association. I built custom Excel tracking models for our P&L and drove recurring revenue through multi-year commercial partnerships at major regional cultural events. I spearheaded grassroots expansion by partnering with local schools, successfully scaling the active organization to over 120 engaged community members.
Post-MBA Goals:
I am targeting MBB consulting post-MBA to rapidly pay off potential debt and solidify my strategic acumen. This will function as a direct stepping stone into my ultimate goal: Senior Product Management (Tech PM) at a Big Tech firm.