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
I took the GMAT in May of this year (Focus Edition) and now I'm beginning to research whether an MBA is right for me. School selections were kind of a shot in the dark. I want to end up in corporate leadership in Atlanta area long-term, still not sure if the consulting route or just a higher level corp dev/strategy role post-MBA would be more conducive to that. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Outside or work I volunteer for a local housing advocacy group, the neighborhood civic association, and a pro-bono consulting group for nonprofits.
26 M, Received Test Waivers for all 5 schools, Applied Accounting and Finance major. Former D1 swimmer and captain, Lgbt* , Strong extracurriculars (academic mentor, social chair for analyst class, career mentor and ambassador for early ID program at my bank).
Looking to move into MBB/ T2 consulting within fintech space or strategy and ops role at tech company.
Indian male
Spent 1.5 years at a bulge bracket in the India middle office, earned a transfer to the NYC front office where I was an analyst for a little over a year. Got early promoted to associate last year and have closed several public M&A transactions for my coverage group.
Planning to switch to venture capital post MBA, in the essays focusing my goals are impact investing VC funds which are slightly more niche but fit my overall narrative and story well.
Have several awards from college for national competitions (ideation challenges, debating, case studies)
Have some experience with angel investing as well.
Primarily targeting Harvard, Wharton, and Columbia.
Hi! I'm applying to the above schools & I'm hoping to be admitted somewhere with significant scholarship. I currently have 2Y 9 months YOE and was promoted twice at a BB bank (from analyst > associate > AVP) during that time period (also part of an LDP).
Had to step away in March for family caregiving duties, and I'm currently looking for another role, so I will enter the MBA at about 3.5-4 YOE.
I'm a female LGBTQ+ applicant, from SEA, though of Indian origins.
TIA!