The competition for a spot in a top-tier MBA Program is a lot like a decathlon. There are many events you must excel at in order to win. In this MBA Prep Step™, we are going to talk about winning in the Reference Letter Competition. Some applicants make the mistake of assuming that this is one event in the decathlon that other people – their references – run for them. We tell MBA Prep School students that the reference letter process is not a spectator sport; it is more like a relay race where the winning teams work together all the way to the finish line.
While it’s true that your references are the most important runners in the race, you need to play the role of the team captain. You need to recruit a great team, ensure your team is focused on the goal, clear on their role within the team, and on track from start to finish. Because, trust us, the other teams you are running against are in this race to win!
This section of the website is divided into five chapters:
- What Are Admissions Officers Looking for in a Reference Letter?
- The Reference Letter Process
- How to Select Your References
- How to Support Your References
- Reference Letter FAQs
First, you will learn what admissions officers are looking for in your recommendation letters so that you can ensure your letters exceed their expectations. Second, we will review the reference letter preparation process as a whole. Third, we will provide guidance on how to selection your references. Forth, we will discuss how to support your references to ensure the best results. Last, we answer frequently asked questions about reference letters.
Throughout this section, we will offer you a series of reference letter best practices so that you will arrive at the finish line of the race with an outstanding set of reference letters for your application.