ESADE MBA Recommendation Questions
The application for the ESADE MBA program at the Ramon Llull University in Barcelona requires two recommendations. It is recommended that they both be professional, but academic references are also accepted. Your recommenders should be able to speak to your global mindset and personal motivation. Recommenders can answer in English or Spanish. The ESADE MBA recommendation questions for the current admissions season are below.
2025-2026 ESADE MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Short Answer Questions
1. How long have you known the candidate? In which context? (Max 1000 characters)
2. What do you consider to be the candidate’s most noteworthy qualities? (Max 500 characters)
3. What are the areas in which you believe the candidate needs to improve? (Max 500 characters)
4. Please comment on the candidate’s potential for management. Describe an occasion in which you observed the candidate in a leadership role. (Max 500 characters)
Section 2: Ranking
Please give us your opinion in terms of the following criteria:
Leadership potential
- Exceptional
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Unobserved
Organizational skills
- Exceptional
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Unobserved
Teamwork
- Exceptional
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Unobserved
Maturity
- Exceptional
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Unobserved
Self-confidence
- Exceptional
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Unobserved
Creativity
- Exceptional
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Unobserved
Additional Comments
Please add information on the ratings you have assigned and make any additional comments about the applicant’s motivation, ability, leadership potential or any personal qualities you would like the Admissions Committee to take into account. (Max 32,000 characters)
Recommenders may upload an additional supporting letter of recommendation as well.
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.