Cambridge / Judge MBA Recommendation Questions
The application to the Cambridge MBA program at Judge Business School requires a single recommendation, preferably from a manager or supervisor. They do not accept academic references or those from peers or colleagues. If you are an entrepreneur, own your own business, or work for a family business, you can select a supplier or client. The Cambridge MBA recommendation questions for 2026-2027 intake are below.
2026-2027 Cambridge MBA Recommendation Questions
Personal Information
Contact information for recommender
Length of time you have known the applicant?
In what capacity have you known the applicant?
Rate the applicant
Please use the table below to appraise the applicant in the context of her or his peer group.
- Number in peer group
- Applicant’s ranking within peer group
The form then asks recommenders to rate the applicant on a series of character and leadership traits on the following scale: Below average, Average (top 50%), Good (top 25%), Outstanding (top 10%), Exceptional (top 2%), Insufficient information.
- Integrity
- Ability to work with others
- Creativity
- Motivation
- Self-confidence
- Analytical skills
- Written communication skills
- Oral communication skills
- Leadership potential
- Responsibility for own action
- Quantitative numerical skill
Reference letter
Please also provide us with a one to two page letter of reference for the candidate.
Please include the following in your reference letter:
- Date
- Your job title
- Your organisation
- Your name
- Your signature (can be electronic/typed/scanned)
Please tell us anything that you think will help the Admissions Committee evaluate the candidate’s application, but in particular we would like you to address the following issues:
Reference criteria
The applicant has identified you as the following reference type: Supervisor
Please complete the following if you are a Supervisor
-
- Elaborate and/or provide us with concrete examples if you have rated the applicant as below average, outstanding or exceptional on any of the qualities in the ‘Rate the Applicant’ Section.
- Describe what you like most and least about working with the applicant.
- Tell us about any particular weakness the candidate has compared to other peers/team members that you regularly work with.
- Describe the applicant’s attitude and behaviour when working with: (a) managers/supervisors (b) peers (c) subordinates.
- Suggest what you think the applicant will be doing in ten years.
Please upload your reference letter here
MBA Applywire
- ~5 Years in Air Force Special Warfare Officer, 1x combat deployment to middle east
- ~2 Years as a SWE for small defense tech company (AI/ML stuff, drone stuff)
- 3 publications (not peer-reviewed) on AI and warfare
- Former volunteer EMT
I’m entertaining the thought of pivoting my career by earning an MBA, but can’t tell if I’m being delusional or not. I’d appreciate if you could give me a reality check on if I should even continue researching how to pursue this path.
Profile:
34M, Chinese American, US citizen, based on the west coast.
Also gay and a 1st generation college student if that matters
Education and Scores:
BA in Biology (3.61 GPA) from an Ivy League School
MS in Entomology (4.0 GPA) from a Big 10 School
GRE score equivalent to 161V and 161Q when I took it in 2013 without preparation
Probably irrelevant, but I also have one first author scientific publication in a peer reviewed journal that has been citied over 50 times from my master’s research.
Work Experience:
8 years working as a biologist for an Agriculture Department primarily doing regulatory inspections (e.g. pesticides, quarantines, organic farms, etc). Currently earning 155k/year, but my salary is mostly capped now and promotion opportunities are almost non-existent (the last open position for a promotion in my department was in 2020).
My work experience involves some supervisory experience but it is not a management role. It centers around knowing state regulations/laws and applying them when doing various types of agricultural inspections.
This is my first job out of graduate school.
Extracurriculars:
Unfortunately I’m lacking in this area, but can look for volunteer opportunities.
Recently had a certification to teach high school biology if that counts.
I was the department wellness coordinator and I am also part of the department equity committee at work. I am also the graphic designer for my department.
Background:
I know my profile is completely unrelated to business when compared to other MBA applicants. My initial education and career path was driven by my desire to study what I found interesting and then working in a related field afterwards. I have no regrets about my former path but now I’m wondering if I want more out of my career rather than remain in government. I was thinking an MBA from a top school can facilitate a complete career pivot from where I currently am.
Why I want to pivot:
I currently work 4 days a week in an stress-free environment with phenomenal work-life balance but my opportunities for professional growth is limited and my skill development is stagnating in this role. I’m also feeling bored in my career. I no longer feel driven to stay working in my field of study like I did in the past. I mostly just want the potential to earn more money as my husband and I are expecting to grow our family in the next few years.
So what’s the verdict, am I being ridiculous by even thinking I can get into an upper MBA program and pivoting careers? I appreciate any insights you have.
Applying in Round 1 with a B.S. in Physics; my undergraduate institution uses a non-4.0 grading system where my performance ranks substantially above the highest honors classification. Having already secured an admission to an M7 deferred MBA program, I am applying in R1 to explore additional options and identify the best cultural and career fit.