American MBA application business schools have restrictions on the content of MBA recommendation letters, requiring referees to answer several prescribed questions, while some schools are more casual and referees can play at will. Most schools now adopt the former method, perhaps for the convenience of comparison. Therefore, if there are no rigid rules in the school, the applicant can ask the recommender to write a letter of recommendation in his usual way. Let's analyze a few concrete examples and see what the recommendation letter probably requires.
Example 1: Harvard Business School.
Question 1: How long have you known about the application and in what way? If applicable, please briefly describe the applicant's role in your organization. Please comment on the frequency and background of your interaction. (250 words limit)
Analysis: This question is about the time, place and relationship between the referee and the applicant. If there is a working relationship, please describe the applicant's position and so on. This question mainly examines the relationship between the applicant and the recommender to see whether the recommender is really familiar with the applicant, that is, the degree of understanding of the applicant, which determines the weight and credibility of the recommendation letter.
Question 2: What do you think is the talent or advantage of the candidate? (250 words limit)
Analysis: this question requires the referee to introduce the applicant's talents and strengths. If the relationship between the recommender and the applicant is only general and there is no in-depth understanding, this question is not easy to answer, and it may be just a brief talk. In fact, the best way to answer this question is to use descriptive sentences and concrete examples to illustrate the advantages of the applicant. A good example is more useful than ten sentences.
Question 3: What do you think are the weaknesses or development needs of the applicant? (250 words limit)
Analysis: This is to ask the applicant what are the shortcomings and areas that can be improved. Ordinary schools will ask similar questions. If the referee just says no in a perfunctory way, either the referee doesn't know the applicant, or he deliberately doesn't say it. In fact, it is impossible to have no shortcomings at all. It is better for the referee to find an irrelevant one that will not affect the applicant's application, but still consider it? Disadvantages? To illustrate with things or examples. Of course, this question can be short or short, and talking too much may cause misunderstanding and be unfavorable to the applicant.
Question 4: What industry/function is best for this person? What do you think this person will do in ten years? Why? (250 words limit)
Analysis: What kind of career is best for this candidate? Where do you think this applicant will develop in 10 years? This question is actually asking the applicant's career development potential, that is, whether he is a good boy who can be taught and can make a difference in the future. If the applicant wants the referee to answer this question well, it is best to communicate with the referee so that the referee can have a clear understanding of his career plan.
Question 5: The dominant teaching method of Harvard Business School is case-based learning. This is a highly interactive experience that requires profit. Skillful use of English-reading, speaking, listening and writing, integrated into "real-time". Please rate the applicant's ability to contribute to this learning mode. (250 words limit)
Analysis: This question means that the main teaching method of Harvard Business School is case analysis teaching, which requires applicants to have high communication skills and proficient English expression skills, including oral and writing. Does the recommender think that the applicant can be competent for Harvard's study and life, and then he can actively participate in classroom discussions and make contributions to classroom teaching? To answer this question, we need to emphasize the applicant's agile thinking ability, proficient English expression ability and communication ability, and emphasize that the applicant is a person who can actively express his thoughts, profound opinions, participate in discussions and express his views simply and concisely in oral and written words. It is better to have concrete examples to illustrate.
Example 2: Letter of recommendation from Stern Business School of new york University.
Question 1: Please rank the applicable ones? The following abilities: quantitative ability: analytical ability: oral communication ability: written communication ability: initiative: integrity: intelligence: interpersonal skills: leadership: maturity: project management: teamwork: professionalism: creativity:%
Analysis: This question requires referees to rate the applicant's ability, whether it belongs to the best category of 5%, the excellent category of 10%, or the average performance of 50%. This is a tabular question, which needs to be answered simply with numbers, without playing too much.
Question 2: How long have you known the application and in what capacity?
Analysis: When and how long did the referee know the applicant? This question is basically asked by all business schools.
Question 3: What do you think are the advantages of the applicant?
Analysis: This is to let the referee introduce the advantages and advantages of the applicant.
Question 4: In what areas can the applicant show growth or improvement?
Analysis: This is to ask the referee to explain what the applicant can improve or need to improve.
Question 5: Please outline the main applications he/she has submitted so far during his/her tenure in the organization.
Analysis: Please describe the applicant's main achievements in cooperation with referees. When answering this question, the referee must use examples from work to illustrate the applicant's achievements. It is best to explain the problem from several different aspects, such as an example in team work, an example in leadership, and an example in personality. It is worth noting that, generally speaking, applicants will be asked this question when writing papers, so we should avoid using the same examples and similar expressions. One is to avoid repetition, and the other is to increase the credibility of letters of recommendation.
Question 6: How do you describe the ability of the candidate to interact with team members, motivate and develop team members?
Analysis: This is also asking the candidate's communication ability, the ability to inspire colleagues and the ability to help others. Business schools attach great importance to students' communication skills, so referees should emphasize the applicant's English level and expression ability, as well as the applicant's leadership ability and the ability to stimulate others' work passion.
Example 3: Letter of recommendation from the Fuku Business School of Duke University.
Question 1: How long have you known about it and in what capacity? (Limit 1200 characters)
Analysis: This problem has been analyzed before, so I won't repeat it here.
Question 2: What do you think are the two talents or advantages of the candidate? (limited to 3200 characters)
Analysis: Also ask the applicant's advantages.
Question 3: What aspects does the applicant need to improve or grow? How would you describe the applicant's insight into these areas? (limited to 3200 characters)
Analysis: it is to ask the candidate's shortcomings. I also asked the applicant whether he knew these shortcomings, that is, whether the applicant had taken corresponding actions to correct them.
Question 4: How would you describe the candidate's leadership skills? (limited to 2800 characters)
Analysis: This question is about the candidate's leadership ability. This problem should not only be illustrated with concrete examples, but also with corresponding words to illustrate the applicant's understanding and practice of leadership. Examples can illustrate how the applicant leads the team, how to show his unique leadership style, how to ensure the implementation of the plan and so on.
Question 5: Comment on the applicant's personal skills (the effectiveness of establishing and maintaining relationships; Work with supervisors, colleagues and subordinates; Willing to work in a team environment). (limited to 3200 characters)
Analysis: This question asks: the candidate's interpersonal skills, whether he can effectively establish and maintain these interpersonal relationships, whether he can live in harmony with his boss, colleagues and subordinates, whether he is willing to work in a team environment and so on. The referee can use specific examples to illustrate them one by one.
Question 6: For non-native English speakers, please comment on the applicable oral and written English (limited to 300 characters). (limited to 3000 characters)
Analysis: this question requires the referee to explain the applicant's English expression ability.
Example 4: Letter of recommendation from wharton school.
Question 1: In less than 30 words, describe how long you have known about the application and your relationship with the application.
Analysis: In no more than 30 words, describe how the recommender and the applicant know each other and what is their relationship. An example of a simple answer is: me? I have known Mr XYZ for more than four years. We are colleagues, friends and activity partners.
Question 2: Please describe your general impression of the application in less than 30 words.
Analysis: Describe the recommender's impression of the applicant in less than 30 words. This question is a bit difficult. I want to make it clear, but don't exceed 30 words. The best way is to list a series of adjectives to describe him, such as: he is smart, diligent, ambitious, energetic, open-minded, mature and enthusiastic. Adjectives are concise and clear at a glance.
Question 3: Compared with their peers, how do you evaluate this applicable comparison object? Please describe the peer group you compared with this applicant.
Analysis: What's special about the applicant compared with its peers? Who do you compare the applicant with? The general meaning of this question is this. The main point of the answer is to emphasize the outstanding performance of the applicant in people of the same age, similar background, similar work experience or people at the same level, so as to show that the applicant is the best in the industry.
Question 4: Does the comment apply? Personal integrity.
Analysis: In recent years, business schools have paid more and more attention to the integrity of applicants. This is also their basic requirement for future business leaders. A few years ago, Ping An went bankrupt, Andersen's audit scandal and WorldCom's bankruptcy made people pay more and more attention to the importance of honesty in business.