Indiana / Kelley MBA Recommendation Questions
The Indiana / Kelley MBA application requires a single recommendation from someone who can comment meaningfully on the applicant’s professional performance, preferably a current or recent supervisor. Recommenders may upload a supplemental letter or document if they want to provide additional information. Uploading an additional letter or document is optional. The 2025-2026 Kelley MBA recommendation questions are below.
2025-2026 Indiana Kelley MBA Recommendation Questions
Relationship
- How well and in what capacity do you know the applicant? (Limit 500 characters)
- Does the applicant have potential as a leader and a manager? What have you observed that leads you to think the applicant will be successful? (Limit 500 characters)
- Are there areas where the applicant can improve his or her potential for graduate study and a managerial career? If so, what are those areas? (Limit 500 characters)
- You’ll rate the applicant on the qualities below. What group or population are you comparing the applicant with? (Limit 500 characters)
Likert Analysis
Recommenders are asked to rate the applicants on the following qualities using a one through five scale (1-Extremely Poor, 2-Below Average, 3-Average, 4-Above Average, 5-Excellent, or Not Observed).
- Leadership Ability
- Intellectual Potential
- Organizational Skills
- Verbal Skills
- Writing Ability
- Analytical skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Maturity
- Self-confidence
- Creativity
- Initiative
- Sense of humor; ability to keep things in perspective
Recommendation
Do you recommend that this applicant be admitted to this program?
- I highly recommend this applicant
- I recommend this applicant
- I recommend this applicant with reservations
- I am not able to recommend this applicant
Letter
Please upload your recommendation letter.
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
It's not over until it's over. Super excited though!
Received the interview invite via email, very excited!