UCI Merage MBA Recommendation Questions
The MBA application to the UCI Merage School of Business requires two letters of recommendation. These should be provided by employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on the professional and educational goals and potential of the applicant. Additionally, recommenders may upload their own letter of recommendation which must be signed on letterhead (PDF or .doc format). The UCI MBA recommendation questions for the 2025-2026 admissions season are as follows.
2025-2026 UCI Merage Recommendation Questions
Section 1
Recommender information: Name, Title, Company
Please comment on the applicant’s managerial and leadership skills. What do you see as the applicant’s strengths and areas for growth in this regard? [If included in optional attachment, enter “see attachment”.]
Do you feel graduate study is appropriate for the applicant at this time? Why? [If included in optional attachment, enter “see attachment”.]
Please evaluate the applicant with respect to the following:
- Intellectual and Analytical Ability
- Maturity
- Leadership Abilities
- Ability to Work Well with Others/Interpersonal Skills
- Written Skills
- Oral/Presentation Skills
- Problem-Solving Abilities
- Self-Confidence
- Potential For Career Advancement
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Motivation/Initiative
Using the following scale:
- Unable to Comment
- Below Average/Lower 35%
- Average/Middle 30%
- Good/Top 35%
- Very Good/Top 20%
- Outstanding/Top 10%
- Truly Exceptional/Top 2%
How would you compare the applicant to his/her peer group? Describe the peer group to which you are referring (e.g., applicant’s peers, other candidates, other professionals)
We strongly encourage you to supplement your previous comments with any additional information you feel would be beneficial to the Admissions Committee. [If included in optional attachment, enter “see attachment”.]
Please select an option: I…
- Strongly recommend
- recommend
- Recommend with some reservations
- Do not recommend
Recommenders are given the option to upload a Word or PDF as a supporting letter for the UCI Merage MBA recommendation.
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!