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.
2021-2022 UMD Smith MBA Recommendation Questions
Recommender Information
What is your affiliation with the applicant?
Institution/company information
Rate the Applicant
Please rate the applicant on the qualities listed below in comparison to his/her peer group within your organization who have exhibited managerial promise.
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:
- 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 reservations
- Do not recommend
How long have you known the applicant?
In what capacity have you known the applicant?
Statement of Assessment
Recommenders are given the option to upload their own document in lieu of filling out the UMD MBA recommendation form.