Emory / Goizueta MBA Recommendation Questions
Emory University’s Goizueta Business School requires two letters of professional recommendation to be submitted online to complete the MBA application. The school will also accept the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation. At least one recommendation should come from a current direct supervisor, project manager, or client. The Emory MBA recommendation questions for the current admissions season are as follows.
2025-2026 Emory / Goizueta MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Recommender Information
Section 2: Evaluation
How long have you known the applicant?
In what capacity do you know the applicant?
Recommenders are asked to appraise the applicant on 10 attributes and then provide an overall rating using the following scale:
- Exceptional (top 5%)
- Very Good (top 15%)
- Above Average (top 50%)
- Average (at 50%)
- Below Average (bottom 50%)
- Unable to Assess
Attributes:
- Intellectual ability
- Integrity
- Maturity
- Motivation/initiative
- Ability to work with others
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Leadership/managerial potential
- Analytical ability
- Judgment
Overall Rating:
- Strongly Recommend
- Recommend
- Recommended with Reservations
- Do not Recommend
Section 3: Short Answer Questions
Please indicate to which group you are comparing this candidate (e.g., co-worker, MBA graduate, etc.) (100-word maximum).
What characteristics or attributes best describe the applicant? (150-word maximum).
In what area is the applicant most exceptional? (150-word maximum).
In what area(s) does the applicant need improvement? Describe the applicant’s awareness of these areas and response to constructive feedback. (150-word maximum).
How would you describe the applicant’s interpersonal skills and the impression they make in meetings, presentations, or other interactions? Is the applicant effective when working in a team? (150-word maximum).
Section 4: Recommendation Letter
If there is any additional information you’d like to share, you may provide it in the textbox or by uploading a letter below.
Recommenders may submit a previously completed GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation instead of completing the form.
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
They called, I missed it. I called back AdCom interviewer confirmed I was accepted
Received admission update early this morning indicating to check portal for decision letter. Still waiting on potential scholarship info
Interviewed in January. Received the call around 2 pm ET from the person who interviewed me.
Got an email that the decision was ready, says a more complete admissions package will be sent to me soon. Interviewed on 2/23