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.
2026-2027 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
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork
- Maturity
- Self-confidence
- Creativity
Recommenders are to choose one of the following options for each criteria from a drop-down menu:
- 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 do not have a strong academic background, but I believe I have a strong professional background to offset. I have over 10 years of progressive finance experience starting as an analyst moving all the way into a Director level role with line of sight into a VP role within the next 2 years. My background consists of financial acumen and cross department engagement resulting in tangible business outcomes and deliverables. I have experience managing upwards, managing downwards with my direct reports, and managing sideways with various department directors and VPs.
- Engineer at a top Aerospace & Defense company (Blue Chip / Fortune 100 company)
- 3 years of FT experience, have had 1 promotion so far, expecting 1 more before matriculation in Fall 2028
- Will have 4.7 Yrs FT experience (+2 undergrad internships) at matriculation
- Applying R1 2027 for Fall 2028 Full Time Entry
- Mechanical Engineering BS with Aerospace Engineering Minor, GPA 3.53
- Undergraduate volunteering included leadership role for a Pediatric Cancer philanthropy that raised $XX,XXX / yr.
- Also had an undergrad internship with a Blue Chip / Fortune 100 automotive company
- Hold a Masters in Engineering Management from Washington University in St. Louis, GPA 3.94
- Masters Capstone was a consulting project sponsored by a boutique firm in NYC
- Currently in MIT Sloan's Pre-LGO Pipeline Program
- Currently prepping for GMAT Focus, I am a strong test taker and expect 95th Percentile+. First attempt will be in early Q1 2027.
- Post-MBA goal: MBB Consulting in the Aerospace & Defense or broader industrials sector. Also considering a pivot to A&D/Industrials Investment Banking. (Any/all advice on how either of these map better to my profile is appreciated!)
29, applying R1 2027 for Fall 2028 entry. GMAT Focus not yet taken; targeting ~670. 3.49 GPA, B.B.A. Finance (magna cum laude, full-tuition scholarship) from a state school.
~3 years at GS (margin lending ops to internal audit), now an Audit Manager in internal audit at TD covering Global Markets (fixed income, munis, prime services, counterparty credit risk). Lead audits as Auditor-in-Charge, manage small teams, support regulator exams. Use SQL/Alteryx in audit work. CIA in progress. Fluent in Spanish. Starting Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteering.
Goal: move from risk/controls into strategy or product roles at an established fintech (lending, brokerage, payments). Long term: run a fintech business line.
Schools: Wharton, Columbia, Yale SOM, Tuck, Stern, Fuqua, Ross/Johnson, Georgetown. Planning to use the Consortium for several. Also considering Stern part-time.
MBA LiveWire
This is for the Sloan Fellows MBA