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
Quick snapshot: 28-year-old Austrian, currently a consultant at an MBB firm in Vienna, selected into the firm’s private equity ringfence and staffed exclusively on commercial due diligences and value creation programs for PE funds. Promoted to Consultant after 18 months, six months ahead of the standard track, following a six-month cross-office assignment in Riyadh that is reserved for top-performing Associates. By matriculation in fall 2027 I will have roughly 2.5 years of full-time experience, plus earlier internships at Austria’s embassies in Washington, DC and Tokyo and a year as Founder’s Associate at a sustainability startup during my master’s.
Academics: B.Sc. in Business, Economics and Social Sciences, graduated 1st of 2,961 students (3.99 US-equivalent GPA) in five of six semesters, and an M.Sc. in Economics, graduated 1st of 70 with a perfect GPA, both from a leading public university in the DACH region. GRE 332 (168Q / 164V / 5.0 AW).
Outside work I co-organize Pride@BCG in my office and onboard new joiners, coach high school students through a year-long business program, completed a diploma in diplomacy and economics with the UN Youth Association, co-headed my university’s high-potentials society, and trained in Michelin-starred kitchens — I still cook as a freelance private chef.
Post-MBA goal: a US-based investing role at the intersection of private capital and public purpose — impact investing, sustainable finance, or the investment arm of a foundation or mission-driven institution. Long term I want to bridge investing and policy across the US and Europe, and eventually give back to Austria in a civic or public leadership role.
2 years in family business after undergrad. And in my 4th job in 5 years - have been working with BCG as consultant on contract for 2 years now (project has social impact - affordable digital access angle)
Worked for 2.5 years in social impact sector. Before that 1 year 3 months in KPMG as data science consultant.
Veteran. Company sponsored.
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