Choice of Recommender

[ross.deredita]

Hi,

I am planning to apply to Columbia & NYU and am trying to get my recommendations in order. Here is who I am thinking about asking:

1. Former supervisor (1 year ago) - Sr. Managing Director, Harvard MBA
2. College roommate's mother - former President & CEO of the Boston Fed, former member of the Federal Open Market Committee, current member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Rochester (my alma mater), NYU MBA

Regarding #2, I read somewhere that submitting a recommendation from anyone with whom you have a personal relationship could disqualify you as an applicant. Should this or any other reason prevent me from asking her to write a recommendation?

Thanks,
Ross

[mbamission]

Hi Ross -

What you don't indicate about #2 is your relationship with her professionally. Has she supervised your work? Seen you interact in professional settings? Is she on the board of a non profit that you actively volunteer for?

If she's just the mother of a friend and hasn't been actively involved with you on your own, outside of the friendship, in a professional or non profit setting, then I don't believe her recommendation will be given any real credibility.

If she knows someone at the school, however, she could write a supplemental note of support (in addition to, not as one of, your 2 recommenders). But not all schools accept those so please do check before you go ahead with that plan.

Good luck

Jessica Shklar
mbaMission

www.mbamission.com/blog