UMD Smith MBA Recommendation Questions
The University of Maryland Robert H Smith School of Business MBA application for the full-time program requires an applicant to share one recommender’s name and email address. Professional recommendations from one who has managed the applicant are preferred, typically a current or previous supervisor. If these options are not available, the applicant should choose recommenders who can attest to their professional skills, such as a person who managed the applicant through a volunteer or civic organization or a client.
The UMD MBA recommendation questions for the current admissions season are as follows.
2025-2026 UMD Smith MBA Recommendation Questions
Recommender Information
Institution/company information
Rate the Applicant
Knowledge in Chosen Field:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Motivation & Perseverance Toward Goals:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Ability to Work Independently:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Ability to Work Collaboratively:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Ability to Express Thoughts in Speech & Writing:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Ability/Potential for College Teaching:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Ability to Plan & Conduct Research (For professional programs: Ability to plan and complete projects):
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Overall Endorsement
Please indicate the strength of your overall endorsement:
- Highly recommend
- Recommend
- Recommend with some reservations
- Do not recommend
How long have you known the applicant?
In what capacity have you known the applicant?
Statement of Assessment
MBA Applywire
Hi. I pivoted from litigation to credit research (worked with Evalueserve India, Crisil India) post my first mba. I did my mba from Symbiosis School of banking and finance in 2021. And altogteher i hold 6 years 4 months of work experience. I am targeting for 2027 fall. I hold an undergraduate degree in Law (BA.LLB (Hons)). I am looking for a change in roles/ geography.
Additional Notes:
1. MBB consultant w/3 years at the firm + one promotion
2. Took a secondment at a nonprofit focused in sustainability in countries below the equator (although have programs above too), including the one I am from (mentioned the link in essays)
3. Choosing to go to MBA for network opportunity to continue sustainability-focus, and inch closer to being ready to be in fields like impact investing (think MBB gives me general knowledge, but doesn't get me to where I want to go)
4. Will return to MBB because of sponsorship
5. Am worried about GRE; got a 158Q and 169V - so avg is around school avg, but the split is bad. Biggest worry here.
6. URM
URM with strong extracurriculars mentoring and tutoring low income students of various ages. Worked 25-40 hrs per week in undergrad which explains the lower GPA. Have led automation projects at work and should receive strong letters of rec. Goal is to pivot to management consulting at a B4/T2 in the financial services space since it matches my prior experience.
Intended R1 applicant to the listed schools. Targetting MBB post-MBA (with one eye on returning to corporate strategy)
I am 25 Indian male and would like to introduce myself as a Chartered Accountant from India working as a Risk Analyst ( Third Party Risk Analyst ) in Citi Chennai.
In addition to 2.5 years of work experience as a Risk Analyst with a promotion .I also have a 3 year CA articleship experience in an audit firm (1.5 years) and as an industrial trainee in one of the start ups of a renowned car manufacturers primarily handling tax compliances audits accounting aspects
Further I have a cgpa of 7.5 in B.Com ( Distance education) since I was pursuing my CA. After my CA I did ACCA (UK based CA) , CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) and completed my CFA Level 1. I want to make a career change to finance and targeting M7 , LBS AND INSEAD. Need a review of my profile and suggest me what would be good gmat score for my application