IMD MBA Recommendation Questions
The IMD MBA recommendation questions for entry in 2026 are here. IMD requires a single recommendation from a business-related source who knows you well, has worked directly with you, and who can highlight your professional achievements, interpersonal skills, teamwork, and leadership using their form.
2026-2027 IMD MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Personal Information
What is your relationship with the applicant?
- Business partner (currently)
- Business Partner (previously)
- Buyer
- CEO/Managing Director (currently)
- CEO/Managing Director (previously)
- Client
- Colleague/Peer (currently)
- Colleague/Peer (previously)
- Family/Friends
- Line Manager (currently)
- Line Manager (previously)
- Mentor
- Professor
- Supervisor (currently)
- Supervisor (previously)
- Supplier
- Other
How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?
Section 2: Recommendation
Can you describe a significant professional accomplishment of the candidate? Detail a project or initiative where the candidate made a substantial impact. Highlight their role, the challenges they faced, and the outcome of their efforts. (500 words)
How would you evaluate the candidate’s leadership skills? (500 words)
In what areas could the candidate improve to reach their full potential? Identify any areas where the candidate could further develop, whether in their professional skills, leadership abilities, or interpersonal interactions. How might a program at IMD help them address these areas? (500 words)
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
Consortium Round 1
Submitted application over the weekend, invite received soon after