CEIBS MBA Recommendation Questions
CEIBS online application is now live for the 2026-2027 admissions season, meaning that the CEIBS recommendation questions are now available for applicants and their recommenders.
Two referees are required, each able to speak credibly to the candidate’s management potential, character, and professional or academic accomplishments. An ideal referee will have supervised or worked closely with the candidate in a professional or academic setting. Reference letters may be submitted in English or Chinese.
2026-2027 CEIBS Recommendation Questions
Referee’s Information
推荐人信息
- Referee’s Name 推荐人姓名
- Gender 推荐人性别
- Position/Title 职务/职称
- Employer 单位名称
- Contact Address 联系地址
- Telephone 电话
- Email 电子邮件
- How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? 您认识申请人已有多长时间？您当时担任何种职务，与申请人是何种关系？
- In comparison with the applicant’s colleagues, what do you consider to be the applicant’s strengths? How do you think about the applicant’s leadership ability? 在您看来，申请人与他（她）的同级相比主要长处是什么？您如何看待他（她）的领导能力？
- In what areas do you think the applicant needs improvement or growth? To the best of your knowledge, what effort(s) has the applicant made to improve in the areas that you have mentioned? 请描述申请人的主要不足之处以及申请人如何对此进行了改进。
- Please comment on the applicant’s ability to work with colleagues, including his or her supervisors, peers, and subordinates. 请评述申请人与其他同事，包括他（她）的上级、同级和下级，合作共事的能力。
- Please provide any other comments or information that may help us assess the applicant for admission into the CEIBS MBA programme. 请提供其它您认为能帮助我院评价申请人的信息。
Please rate the applicant’s characteristics in comparison with his or her peers.
以申请人的同级为参照，请您就以下方面对申请人进行评估。
Referees are asked to rate skills using the following scale: Outstanding 优异 , Excellent 优 , Good 良 , Average 中 , Below Average 差 , Cannot Judge 无法判断
Skills:
- Intellectual Ability 智力
- Analytical Ability 分析能力
- Organisational Ability 组织能力
- Problem Solving Ability 解决问题能力
- Innovation Ability 创新能力
- Decisiveness 决断能力
- Leadership Ability 领导能力
- Teamwork Ability 团队合作能力
- Communication Skills 表达能力
- Integrity 正直
- Maturity 成熟
- Passion 工作热情
- Professionalism 专业态度
Please give your overall recommendation for the applicant’s admission to the CEIBS MBA programme. 请给出您对申请人的总体评价。
- Strongly recommend 极力推荐
- Recommend 推荐
- Recommend with some reservation 有保留的推荐
MBA Applywire
Background: Pakistani male currently based in Tokyo, Japan
Academics:
Undergraduate degree from a leading university in Pakistan
GPA: 3.44
GRE: 334
Professional experience:
I began my career at a global research and expert network firm in Pakistan, where I supported quantitative research for major strategy consulting firms. My work included designing and delivering surveys for projects involving market entry, commercial due diligence, and growth strategy. I progressed into a team leadership role, managing research delivery and junior colleagues.
I later joined the Japan business of a large multinational consumer goods company and relocated from Pakistan to Tokyo following my professional progression. I currently work in category and consumer insights, supporting portfolio and investment decisions for a smoke free product business. My responsibilities include translating consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor activity into recommendations for senior management. I also manage our qualitative research budget, oversee external research agencies, and lead three analysts.
International exposure:
I have worked with consulting clients across international markets and have experience working for the Japanese market both remotely from Pakistan and in person after relocating to Tokyo. My professional experience has required me to adapt to a new country, business environment, and language while influencing cross functional decisions.
Community involvement:
I volunteer with a rural development organization in Pakistan, contributing to grant proposals and conducting workshops for small agribusiness owners on business planning, cost management, pricing, and digitization. This work is personally meaningful because of my family’s roots in the region.
Post MBA goal:
My immediate goal is to join the consumer products practice of a leading strategy consulting firm in the United States. Over the longer term, I want to build a consulting firm that gives small and medium sized consumer goods businesses across South Asia the evidence and strategic support needed to compete with larger companies and scale sustainably.
Target programs:
Tuck, Ross, Cornell, Yale, Kellogg, CBS
Questions for reviewers:
How competitive is my profile for these programs?
Is my school list appropriately balanced?
Which aspects of my profile should I emphasize most strongly?
Undergrad in managerial economics GPA 3.6, and masters in applied economics GPA 3.7. Over 5 years in economic consulting for mid-tier firms. Recent involuntary departure from last firm. Somewhat worried about letters of rec given that circumstance. Want to pivot into corporate side like strategic finance, probably in tech or maybe energy.
Nationality: Ghanaian
Current Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Current Role: Finance
Years of Experience: 6 years
Education: BSc Accounting; MSc Business Consulting & Enterprise Risk Management
GRE: 332/340
A Ghanaian finance professional with six years of experience across the Telecommunication, Fintech, Reinsurance and Banking sectors. Currently based in Abidjan, working in finance control a within a leading bank.
Previously worked in the reinsurance industry, gaining experience across fixed asset accounting, staff debtor reconciliations, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, statutory payments, and internal controls. Was also selected by the Director of Finance to serve on a committee responsible for updating the organization's accounting manual, providing valuable exposure to accounting processes, controls, and organizational improvement.
Beyond professional experience, has demonstrated a strong commitment to community impact. Since 2020, has worked with friends through a community initiative providing food to underserved communities and street hawkers across Ghana, reaching more than 6,000 people. Has also participated in community development and school improvement projects.
Holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and is pursuing graduate-level studies in Business Consulting and Enterprise Risk Management.
An MBA will provide me with the opportunity to build stronger capabilities in strategy, leadership, and financial management while transitioning from technical finance roles into broader leadership positions in banking and financial services. The long-term goal is to combine finance expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership to contribute to the growth and development of Africa's financial sector.