How to Write an LOR for MBA?

Submitting a strong letter of recommendation can be a challenging task, especially if the applicant is applying for MBA at a prestigious university abroad.  First things first, make sure that you, as an MBA LOR recommender, have enough experience in working and interacting with MBA students.

Well, easier said than done, isn't it? If the applicant is expecting to get into leading MBA universities abroad, their LORs and SOP would not only strengthen their application but even determine their admission. But how to write a good LOR for MBA?

Here's a comprehensive guide that will help you avoid making common mistakes in an LOR, provide you with specific MBA LOR examples along with some helpful tips and anecdotes to help you write the perfect letter of recommendation. So, let's jump right into it.

What Does an MBA LOR Exactly Mean?

Before you begin writing a letter of recommendation, it's important to know the purpose of the letter. Your goal is to help the student get the most out of their application by having someone with a level of academic authority. Having a strong relationship with the person who you are writing for is very important. 

The letter of recommendation should highlight various aspects of the student's character, which you have observed to be the most admirable. Examples of their previous work should also be included to show how their achievements would benefit them in the future with respect to the program of MBA.

Also Read: SOP for MBA vs SOP for MIM

How Do You Choose an MBA LOR Writer?

The student's choice of whom to ask for a letter of recommendation is entirely dependent on their current relationships with prospective recommenders. If you regularly interact with this applicant, then you might be the best person to write them their MBA recommendation letter.

This is especially important for students who are not yet coming out of their undergraduate studies. MBA students typically need at least two years of professional experience to demonstrate their skills and expertise. This ensures that prospective MBA students have plenty of time to develop their skills and build strong relationships before they start their studies.

Points to Remember Before Writing Your MBA LOR

Here are a few points you need to remember before writing an LOR for MBA:

The letter of recommendation is an important part of a student's application. It should match their personal statement and should also reflect their outgoing personality.

The MBA LOR should include keywords related to:

• The student's relevant experience should also include their analytical skills, leadership qualities, and critical thinking.

• The work experience that they gained during their undergraduate years. It would also help them gauge their future goals.

• The recommender's relationship with the student will also play a huge role in how many details they request from the recommender. 

Understanding the Goal of the Applicant: To write the best recommendation letter for an MBA program, you have to customise it to include the most relevant information. 

Applicant’s Academic Credentials: The student's academic record should tell you where their academic performance currently stands. Based on the experience with the student, how do their best course grade, extracurricular activities, and teaching assistant skills relate to their ability to excel in the MBA program - the recommender has to have a concrete answer to that.

Know the Key Points of the Applicant's Academic Journey: This is very important, as it will help the applicant stand out from the rest of the pack and be considered for admission to a particular institution.

Understand the Prospective University of the Applicant: This will also help you understand the institution's requirements and how the same will influence the recommendation letter. The goal in writing the MBA recommendation letter is to highlight the applicant's skills and qualifications, which meet or exceed the program requirements.

Also Read: Common Mistakes to Avoid in LOR

Structure of an MBA LOR

The following sections are the parts of a letter of recommendation that should be written for an MBA program. It should be a one-page document that consists of at least two body paragraphs and a conclusion.

A brief description of the applicant's qualities, goals, and potential future employer. Examples of the applicant's skills and accomplishments should be included in the letter of recommendation. This should include real-world examples of their excellence.

Body of the Letter

1st paragraph: 

The tone of the letter will also play a huge role in describing the candidate's qualities and qualifications. It should also contain positive attributes and credentials without being too flowery. While maintaining a formal and objective tone, try to avoid emphasising the personal relationship between the two of you.

In this section, you should discuss the student's problem-solving abilities and other key factors that will help you make a decision. This section of the letter should also discuss the student's problem-solving abilities.

2nd paragraph:

In the second paragraph, provide examples of how the applicant manages their responsibilities. This trait contributes to their potential admission to the MBA program. The goal of the letter is to thoroughly review the applicant's qualities in order to make a recommendation that is both objective and credible. For instance, describe how the candidate handled an unfavorable situation or criticism.

Conclusion: 

The conclusion of your MBA recommendation letter should summarise the main reasons why the applicant should be accepted to the program. It should also introduce the candidate's strongest qualifications for admission, state their contact details and end with a formal sign-off. After enclosing an invitation, you should also leave the university with an invitation to contact you if they require further information.

LOR Tips for Popular MBA Specialisations

Check the following recommendations for popular specialisations of your MBA LOR:

The letter of recommendation is the first step in the application process for any MBA program. It should include the following topics: the ideal candidate, the qualities that the candidate possesses, and the relationship between the two. 

LOR for MBA in Marketing

For the ideal candidate, the recommendation should highlight the various facets of the applicant, such as academic excellence, creativity, and quantitative skills. Aside from these, the letter should also introduce the candidate's comprehensive personality, which should include his or her art and design background.

Some of the top qualities that an MBA in marketing candidate should possess are analytical thinking, writing skills, and negotiation skills.

LOR for MBA in Finance

The letter of recommendation for an MBA in Finance should highlight the students' analytical skills.

Some of the skills that can be highlighted are logical reasoning, good communication skills, the ability to manage time effectively, and reporting to supervisors and managers.

Aside from these, the academic background should also be mentioned in the letter of recommendation to ensure that the student has the necessary knowledge about financial terms.

LOR for MBA in Human Resource

Aside from having the necessary skills, such individuals should also demonstrate a good relationship with people. This is an essential component of an MBA program. While writing a letter of recommendation for an MBA, HR professionals should highlight the various skills that can be utilized by applicants.

LOR for MBA in Information Technology

Reviewers should also point out the skills that candidates can use in areas such as data security, project management, and telecommunications. In addition, skills related to information technology systems should also be highlighted in the letter of recommendation.

Some of the key skills that information technology professionals possess include Data mining and coding, the ability to adapt to various conditions, and the ability to work with various machinery and systems.

LOR for MBA in International Business

Letter of recommendation for MBA in international business should highlight the candidate's knowledge and vision in handling international trade. Some of these qualities are knowledge of international business, the ability to communicate effectively with international audiences, and the willingness to learn more about various international business subjects.

Also Read: 10 Mistakes You Should Avoid in Your MBA Application

A letter of recommendation is a requirement for most MBA programs. International business schools usually require at least two letters of recommendation from their prospective students. With these simple steps, you can improve the chances of a good applicant with a powerful recommendation letter. These examples will help you gather important details about the person you hope to draft a recommendation letter for.

For any doubts or queries related to MBA admissions or studying abroad, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com and get access to the guidance of our team of experts.