Harvard Business School MBA Recommendation Questions
The Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2027 application is now live, which means that the HBS MBA recommendation questions are available to recommenders. HBS requires two recommendations and suggests (but does not require) that one be from a direct supervisor. The other should be from someone who can speak about your professional performance, leadership skills, and potential.
2024-2025 Harvard Business School (HBS) Recommendation Questions:
Recommender Information
Do you know this applicant from a previous employer?
Are you a graduate of the Harvard Business School MBA program?
If yes, year of graduation:
Relationship Context
Relationship Type (drop-down menu):
- Current employer
- Previous employer
- University/Academic
- Extracurricular/Community
- Other
Relationship Context (drop-down menu):
- Direct Supervisor
- Other Supervisor
- Advisor
- Colleague/Peer
- Direct Report
- Indirect Report
- Other
Number of applicants you are recommending to the HBS MBA Program this year:
Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, their role in your organization (300 characters):
Candidate Evaluation
HBS asks recommenders to rate the applicant’s attributes using the following scale: No Basis for Judgment, Potential Area of Concern, Developing, Strong, and Distinctive. To assess the candidate’s strengths and areas of development, HBS divides attributes across several categories:
Business-Minded:
- Analytical thinking
- Professional maturity
- Quantitative skills
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
Leadership-Focused:
- Awareness of and respect for others
- Emotional intelligence
- Integrity
- Interpersonal skills with colleagues and subordinates
- Interpersonal skills with superiors
- Listening skills
- Teamwork: engagement and collaboration
- Teamwork: leadership and development of others
Growth-Oriented:
- Creative problem solving
- Curiosity
- Initiative
- Openness to others’ perspectives
- Receptiveness to feedback and willingness to change
- Self-awareness
Please comment on the ratings you have assigned, elaborating on relative strengths and opportunities for further development. (Required, 150 words).
Open Response Questions
Please respond to the questions below in a single document.
- How do the applicant’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (Recommended: 300 words)
- Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Recommended: 250 words)
- (Optional) Is there anything else we should know? Please be concise.
MBA Applywire
I’m planning to apply for MBA programs in the U.S. for Fall 2026, and I’d really appreciate your thoughts on my profile, program fit, and any chances for scholarships.
Highlevel Profile :
Education: B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Data Science. Graduated: Spring 23 with GPA: 3.5 (from a Private Christian university in Tulsa)
Research: Participated in two data science research groups during junior and senior years. One project was published on the Human Kinetics Journals site in December 2022.
Nationality: International student from Japan
Work Experience: Currently working as a Strategic Analyst at a lead gen marketplace startup (featured on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies), based in Tulsa, OK. I work extensively with SQL, Excel, Tableau, and occasionally do projects/work (data science) in Python and own data-driven strategies for a revenue-generating business category, translating insights into operational improvements and stakeholder decisions. Will have 3 years of full-time experience by Fall 2026.
GMAT/GRE: Just started studying a month ago. Aiming for a GMAT ~700. Haven’t taken the test yet.
Why MBA ?
Originally started thinking about grad school as a backup plan after not getting selected for H-1B. I may have another chance next year, but as I reflect more, I see this as a great opportunity to pivot more into a strategy or product-related role, expand my network, and strengthen my leadership skills.
Would love your thoughts on chances, scholarship possibilities, and any other program recommendations I should consider. Thank you!
Curious about a) my candidacy for target schools, and b) if I should consider taking the GRE once more or if it's better to focus now on essays / applications
Currently in life science/pharma consulting and interested in staying in healthcare post-MBA, but working AT a life science company in a commercial role (rather than consulting), ideally in biotech at some point. Target school list focuses on programs with relatively high healthcare placement/reputation (not considering Duke due to geography, although I know they have a great healthcare program). Hoping to land in the Northeast
GRE: 326 (V164, Q162)
Undergrad @ Top 5 Public University (per US News rankings)
Major: Biology and Spanish
GPA: 3.58 (slightly lower than averages at target schools, but with STEM undergrad major)
Extracurriculars/Awards (high-level): President of academic organization, new student orientation leader, Girl Scout troop leader (volunteer), grant-funded genetic research, merit scholarship (small $amt but given to 1 student/year)
Work Experience: 5 years (FTE)
Current Role (1yr): Engagement Manager @ boutique life science consulting firm
Prior Full-Time Roles (4yrs): Consultant (2yrs) & Analyst (2yrs) @ same boutique life science consulting firm
Prior Part-Time Roles (during undergrad): Product Management & Marketing intern at life science products company; undergraduate genetic research
Current Extracurriculars
Girl Scout troop leader
Board Member of local chapter of global organization supporting women in healthcare careers
Youth running coach
Captain, co-ed volleyball and flag football team
Demographics
Female, 26 years old
Hi all, I’m hoping to get some feedback on my chances at M7 and Top 15 MBA programs. I come from a pretty nontraditional background and would appreciate any advice.
Background:
Male, Canadian citizen, first-generation immigrant (moved from South Asia at a young age)
First in my family to attend college
Engineering undergrad from a Canadian university (not target but solid reputation)
Certificates: Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, Scrum Master, and Certified Energy Manager
Work Experience:
8+ years of experience in municipal government (City level) in progressive engineering roles
Lead teams of engineers and unionized staff; act as liaison between public agencies and private companies
Currently a Senior Engineer leading multimillion infrastructure and sustainability projects (EV-readiness, clean energy deployment, etc.)
Personally selected by leadership to develop and lead a Diversity & Inclusion strategy for operational departments—raised engagement from 2% to 20% through targeted outreach
Extracurriculars:
Mentor junior engineers through Canada’s professional engineering association (help with licensing, goal-setting)
Lead a small team that funds and delivers infrastructure projects (wells, homes, schools) in underserved villages abroad—inspired by family roots and personal stories
Stats:
GRE: 337 (Q168, V169)
GPA: 2.9 overall ( Last 2 years/upper division: 3.5)
Age: 33
Goals:
Short term: Transition into MBB or top-tier strategy consulting
Long term: Focus on sustainable infrastructure investing or advisory—especially in equitable, climate-resilient urban development
Appreciate any honest feedback—especially around GPA and age concerns, how to frame my story, and school fit. I know I come from a nontraditional background (public sector + engineering), but I’m hoping to bring a unique perspective. Thanks in advance.
Demographics: 26F, Asian American, LGBT
Undergrad: BS Info Systems & Stats minor from Top 5 public undergrad program
Work Experience: Pretty standard data and analytics consulting experience. One promotion. Engagements have spanned the entirety of data and analytics spectrum from master data management implementation to data visualization and descriptive analytics to machine learning. Leadership experience includes leading two workstreams and overseeing team of offshore resources on a long term engagement, technical project manager for data integration project with 30+ internal and external resources for another engagement.
Extracurriculars:
Undergrad
-Senior photojournalist for 3 years for largest news publication in the county
-Pro Bono digital transformation consulting services during for a state congressional caucus and a small business with $1M+ revenue
Post undergrad
-Team Lead for 4 years for local LGBT nonprofit. Essentially oversee planning for one of the largest Pride events in the South (200k+ visitors). Serve as main POC for 200+ vendors and lead a team of 6 people. Inaugural recipient of "Volunteer of the Year" award
Why MBA & Why Now: Want to pivot to a leadership role where I'm owning something & providing strategic direction instead of simply in an advisory role. After 4 years I've built up my skillsets in analytics and cross functional communication and am ready to use what I've learned to drive longer term value. I want to transition away from consulting and broaden my network.
Post-MBA Goals: Tech PM, PMM
Working proficiency in Italian and Spanish (self taught, US citizen). Solo traveled Asia and Italy for 3 months.
Ironman triathlon and marathon competitor
Volunteer as a guide for vets and disabled folks looking to achieve their goals on the marathon and triathlon circuit.
Own and operate a successful real estate LLC that invests in multi family properties in the NYC metro area. Also write a blog that is tied to the LLC
Promoted once at work to Associate Consultant, likely to be promoted again this summer (2025) or in the winter of 2026. Focus primarily on S&O and financial forecasting for life sciences companies and big pharma.
Looking to pivot out of consulting and into investing / VC or tech. Haven't decided which route I want to pursue yet, but will have an answer before I submit my apps.
MBA LiveWire
This was a very straightforward process for me and the school really just wanted to understand why I was applying in round three (I have a fellowship that UVA is in that has a final deadline of round two, so they knew I had applied to other schools earlier). It really felt like the school only waitlist you if they want to convert you, but they were incredibly generous with scholarship $$$