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
I'm a GCC national at MBB in the region. Mostly worked on large-scale government projects, and hoping to continue in government after graduation (also a woman, not sure if that makes a difference but I see fewer women from my country applying to MBAs).
322 GRE (162V 160Q)
3.0 GPA from US T30 school (this one is painful but I had a strong upward trend after switching majors)
5 years experience (boutique + currently MBB)
Hey everyone,
I’d really appreciate an honest profile review and advice on how to best position myself over the next 4–5 years before applying to MBA programs (targeting M7 / T15, ideally with strong scholarship outcomes).
Background:
• 23M, URM (Latino, immigrant background)
• Graduated December 2025 from a non-target state school (Honors College)
• Major: Finance
• GPA: \~3.7–3.8
Work Experience:
Incoming: Management Rotation Program (Audit track) at a large U.S. financial institution (starting mid-2026)
• Rotational program with exposure to risk, capital markets, and enterprise functions
Current: Financial Analyst (Controls / Risk) at a large global tech company (co-op + full-time transition before MRP) not FAANG but similar
Prior internships:
A) 6 months internship Internal Audit – Housing Finance / Mortgage-related institution (Fannie/freddie)
B) 1 year internship and 1 year contract Risk & Compliance – Fixed Income / Debt Issuance organization (~$800B issuance exposure)
Exposure to MBS, capital markets, and financial risk frameworks
C) Summer experience for a regulatory agency (Pcaob, SEC, GAO)
Leadership & Extracurriculars:
• Director of Data Analytics – professional Latino association (2-5K members)
• Committee Member – State CPA Society (content + events)
Certifications / Plans:
Sitting for CFA Level I (May) → plan to complete CFA within ~3–4 years
Planning to complete CPA (150 credits + exams) within ~4–5 years
Short-Term Goal (pre-MBA):
Move from audit → capital markets / risk / transaction-related roles internally
Potentially pivot into roles closer to banking, valuation, or strategy
Long-Term Goal (post-MBA):
Investment Banking (M&A / Capital Markets) or potentially strategy consulting as backup
⸻
Questions:
1. How competitive is this profile today for M7 / T15 (assuming a strong GMAT, targeting 740+)?
2. What matters more in my case over the next few years:
• Internal mobility into capital markets–related roles?
• External jump (e.g., consulting, transaction advisory)?
3. Will CPA + CFA actually help for MBA admissions + IB recruiting, or is that overkill?
4. How can I best differentiate coming from a non-target + audit background?
5. What would you prioritize if you were me for the next 4–5 years?
I am a European 28-years-old engineer (automotive and oil&gas background) preparing my MBA applications. GMAT Focus 695 (97th percentile), IELTS 8/9, ~3 years of work experience.
4.1 GPA from a T10 university in STEM planning on doing entrepreneurship post college during the deferred years.