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August 27, 2025 1,449 views

Common Mistakes Managing MBA Recommenders

Business school applicant looking concerned while reviewing MBA recommender strategy on laptop.

We recently worked with a business school applicant who believed poor recommendations were the main reason she didn’t get into any of her dream business schools. She carefully selected her MBA recommenders and gave them several months’ advance notice. Her first recommender gave her a copy of his letter after he had submitted it. It was six pages long, written with care, and totally missed the mark.

Despite his good intentions, he emphasized the wrong qualities, rambled, and failed to provide relevant examples. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. That’s why managing your MBA recommenders is just as important as selecting the right ones.

Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to discuss strategy during a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant.

Setting Your MBA Recommenders Up for Success

Before you think about what not to do, take some time up front to prepare your recommenders. Start with a short “recommender packet” that includes:

  • A one-page summary of your career highlights and strengths.
  • A reminder of deadlines for each school.
  • A few notes on the qualities you hope they can emphasize.

It’s also a good idea to schedule a kickoff conversation. Use this meeting to explain why you’re applying to business school now, what you hope to achieve, and how their perspective fits into your overall story. The best letters don’t sound coached—they sound informed. By giving your recommenders the context they need, you enable them to write with both accuracy and enthusiasm.

If you’re still deciding who to ask, see our advice on choosing the best MBA recommenders.

The 5 Don’ts of Managing MBA Recommenders

Heed the following five tips, and you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary anxiety when you are already under a lot of pressure.

1. Don’t Assume They Know What to Write

Your recommender is likely time-strapped and may not recall those three outstanding examples of your leadership. They also might not know what schools are looking for in letters of recommendation.

Show your recommender your essays and decide on four or five characteristics you would like them to emphasize throughout the letter. For example: leadership, teamwork, creative thinking, determination, focus, intelligence, charisma, and integrity. Next, come up with at least one concrete example that illustrates each characteristic.

Planning ahead to guide MBA recommenders on what to write in recommendation letters.

Here’s what an instance of initiative might look like:

“Last year, when I learned that international sales were declining, I took it upon myself to research the competitive landscape and learned of two recent market entrants. I then offered to lead a team to analyze these new competitors and develop a strategy for regaining our market share. Our team of five analysts proposed a solution after one week of work. The solution was implemented and within six months, we gained back 5 percent of lost market share.”

Listen to B-Schooled Podcast #133: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Recommendations When Applying – Part 1

2. Don’t Overload Them With Materials or Reminders

Doing this can overwhelm your recommender and lead them to ignore what you’ve prepared for them. First, create a bullet-point list of the projects you have worked on. Next, give them an outline of your strengths that goes into more detail than your resume.

Keep it to one page so they’ll actually read it. A short, focused reference sheet is far more effective than a stack of documents they’ll never open.

Confused professional staring at laptop, symbolizing MBA recommenders overwhelmed with too many materials.

Not sure when to check in? Here’s our guide to following up with MBA recommenders.

3. Don’t Let Praise Go Unsupported

The cardinal rule of good writing—show, don’t tell—is equally important in a letter of recommendation. The admissions committee wants that third-party perspective that is often missing from your essays, test scores, and interview.

No one expects the applicant to be perfect, however. The best recommendation letters paint a vivid picture that brings the candidate to life on paper.

School-specific tip: Different MBA programs play up different qualities. For example, Wharton values collaboration, Stanford emphasizes authenticity and impact, and Kellogg prioritizes teamwork and leadership development. Sharing these nuances (without scripting the letter) can help your recommenders tailor their stories to what each school prioritizes.

4. Don’t Risk a Late Submission

It’s essential to start this process as early as possible. Your recommender should know that writing such a letter is both an honor and a responsibility.

Give them plenty of time to prepare for your deadline. You may find it helpful to advance the due date by a week to remove one last-minute worry from your plate.

In this TikTok, SBC consultant Erika outlines the crucial difference between guiding and micromanaging your recommenders.

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? Lava Lamp – Happy Trees

5. Don’t Write the Recommendation Yourself

To save time or ease their burden, a recommender may ask you to write the letter for them to sign. Please don’t do it! For one, the admissions committee will probably recognize your writing style from your essays. That will immediately raise a red flag. And secondly, if the individual doesn’t have enough time to write a proper recommendation, you’d be better off seeking someone more enthusiastic about championing your business school dreams.

Red flag warning against writing MBA recommendation letters yourself.

If the request stems from English being a second language for your supervisor, you have two options. The first is to not worry about it—the admissions committee focuses on the content of the message and understands any language limitations. However, if you fear it might become a distraction, consider hiring a translator to eliminate that concern.

Final Thoughts on Managing Recommenders

If you can help your MBA recommenders stay on message, deliver on time, and provide vivid examples of your professional skills, you’ll strengthen this crucial part of your MBA application.

As a next step, consider creating a mini action plan:

  • Schedule two touchpoints with each recommender—one kickoff and one mid-process check-in.
  • Share updates on your MBA goals and career aspirations.
  • Thank them personally and keep them informed about the results.

This approach ensures your recommenders feel valued and supported, which translates into stronger, more genuine letters on your behalf. And remember, your relationship with your recommenders doesn’t end once the letters are submitted.

These are often mentors, managers, or colleagues who have invested in your growth. Maintaining those connections—whether by updating them on your admission outcomes, seeking their advice in business school, or thanking them publicly for their support—can create lifelong advocates for your career.

Ultimately, recommendation letters aren’t just another application requirement. They’re a chance for the AdCom to see you through the eyes of those who know your capabilities best. By managing the process thoughtfully, you not only improve your odds of admission but also deepen the professional relationships that will continue to serve you long after you’ve earned your MBA.

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Stacy Blackman Consulting offers a range of services to meet your needs, from our All-In Partnership to test preparation and targeted hourly assistance. Contact us today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.

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