Washington / Foster MBA Recommendation Questions

The Michael G. Foster School of Business of the University of Washington MBA application requires at least two letters of recommendation, however, applicants may submit three. Preferably, recommenders should be professional contacts rather than academic or personal. Your recommenders will be asked to write about your strengths, discuss areas where you could improve, discuss your leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, motivation and initiative, and comment on your accomplishments, managerial potential, and other personal qualities. The Foster MBA recommendation questions for the 2026-2027 application are below.

2026-2027 Washington / Foster MBA Recommendation Questions

Applicant Information and Relationship

How long have you known the applicant?

How well do you know the applicant?

• Very well
• Moderately well
• Minimally

In what capacity do you know the applicant? Please select all that apply.

• Employee / Supervisor
• Colleague / Coworker
• Instructor / Professor
• Other

Evaluation

Please rank the applicant relative to their peer group:

• Truly Exceptional (top 1%)
• Outstanding (highest 10%)
• Good (75 – 90%)
• Above Average (60 – 74%)
• Average (41 – 59%)
• Below average (lowest 40%)
• Inadequate Opportunity to Observe

Overall Evaluation:

• Truly Exceptional (top 1%)
• Outstanding (highest 10%)
• Good (75 – 90%)
• Above Average (60 – 74%)
• Average (41 – 59%)
• Below average (lowest 40%)
• Inadequate Opportunity to Observe

Letter of Recommendation (upload)

In your letter of recommendation, consider addressing the below questions when describing the applicant. Your comments provide the committee with a balanced view from which to evaluate the candidate.

What are the applicant’s strengths?
Discuss areas where the applicant could improve.
Discuss the applicant’s leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, motivation, and initiative.
Comment on the applicant’s accomplishments, managerial potential and other personal qualities.

Recommendation Concerning Admission (dropdown menu)

• I highly recommend this applicant
• I recommend this applicant
• I recommend this applicant with reservations
• I DO NOT recommend this applicant for admission