UMD Smith MBA Recommendation Questions
The University of Maryland Robert H Smith School of Business MBA application for the full-time program requires two recommendations. Professional recommendations from someone 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.
2026-2027 UMD Smith MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Recommender Information
Institution/company information
Section 2: Rate the Applicant
Recommenders are given seven abilities to rate using the following scale:
- Exceptional (Upper 5%)
- Outstanding (Next 15%)
- Very Good (Next 15%)
- Good (Next 15%)
- Next 50%
- No Basis for Judgement
Each ability below has its own drop-down menu:
Knowledge in Chosen Field
Motivation & Perseverance Toward Goals
Ability to Work Independently
Ability to Work Collaboratively
Ability to Express Thoughts in Speech & Writing
Ability/Potential for College Teaching
Ability to Plan & Conduct Research (For professional programs: Ability to plan and complete projects)
Section 3: 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?
Section 4: Statement of Assessment
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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