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
Profile Review: Banking/PE Experience for INSEAD GEMBA (May '27) / LBS EMBA (Jan '28) – Consulting Pivot?
Hi all, looking for a reality check on my profile for top-tier EMBAs with a goal of pivoting into Management Consulting (MBB).
Background:
\* Age: 33 at enrollment
\* Current Role: Associate Director in a major Nordic bank (Corporate Banking/PE/Risk focus).
\* Work Experience: \~7+ years.
\* Current: Lead on liquidity strategy, PE value creation, and covenant restructuring. I manage high-value client portfolios day-to-day, though formal people management/team lead is handled by a Director.
\* Previous: Senior Analyst in Tier-1 US Bulge Bracket and Senior Consultant (Big 4, fast-track promotion).
\* Education: MSc in Finance & Accounting (Top Nordic BS).
\* The GPA Weakness: My academic GPA is on the lower side. However, I have a CFA Level I and have won some industry business cases while at Uni. I’m hoping my professional track record offsets the academic record.
\* Extracurriculars: Board member experience (Mensa/Non-profits).
Goals:
\* Target Programs: INSEAD GEMBA (Flex, May 2027 intake) or LBS EMBA (Blended, Jan 2028 intake).
\* Why MBA: Pivot from finance into Strategy Consulting (MBB) or PE (whom I advise daily).
Questions:
1. How much will a lower GPA hurt me at INSEAD/LBS if my professional trajectory is strong?
2. Does not having formal direct reports (but managing high-stakes client portfolios) hurt my candidacy for these senior-level programs?
3. Is an EMBA actually "consulting-pivot friendly" for someone already at an Associate Director-level in finance?
Appreciate any insights or past experiences from similar paths, thank you!
I’ve been in the cybersecurity space for about 5 years starting at a global Fortune 100 insurance firm before moving to my current org in the critical infrastructure sector. Currently a senior in incident response, I started as an intern. While the role is technical, my focus is on the strategic orchestration of response. Think stakeholder engagement, legal/PR/C-suite coordination, regulatory reporting, compliance, risk.
Outside of work I’m on the board of a non profit(not cybersecurity based), serving as the director of strategy and program development. I also volunteer to do pro-bono cyber consulting for NGOs, focusing more on the governance, planning, and strategic posture but also on other aspects of cybersecurity.
My academic path was non trad: BS cybersecurity from competency based program (pass/fail) then MS cybersecurity from NYU (3.6) working full time through both. Have a number of cyber related certifications, technical and non technical. Became more interested in an MBA last year.
Post-MBA, I’d like to transition into digital strategy consulting(MBB) and eventually move into private equity portfolio operations (focusing on tech strategy and value creation rather than the investment side). Given my professional and academic background which programs should I look into? Selected a few but don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’m in test prep right now for the GRE, targeting 325+.
Domestic ORM Male
BA Econ (T10 Public) - 3.46 GPA
MS Info Systems (T10 Public) - 3.50 GPA
Passed CFA L1 (L2 in progress)
4 years in Financial Reporting at a large asset manager (A2A promotion)
1 year in Investor Relations at LMM PE firm (potential promo to Senior Associate by application time)
Working on joining a reputable nonprofit ASAP to start gaining volunteer experience + potentially gain a leadership position
Post-MBA goal: Investment Banking (preferably NYC but open to anywhere on east coast + Chicago + Texas)
MBA LiveWire
Called today at 5 PM ET
Interviewed in January. Received the call at 2 pm ET from the person who interviewed me.
Accepted with full-tuition scholarship (consortium fellowship)