How do I get a strong LOR for my MBA application?

Question

Nitin Chauhan · Accepted Answer

To get a strong Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for your MBA application, start by choosing someone who knows you well and can speak honestly about your skills and achievements. This could be your current or former manager, a professor if you&rsquo;re still in college or recently graduated, or even a client or senior colleague if you are self-employed. The key is not their job title but how closely they have worked with you and how well they understand your strengths.
Once you have selected the right person, make their job easier by providing them with the information they need to write a strong letter. Share your updated resume so they can refer to your achievements, and explain your MBA goals so they can connect your skills to your future plans. It&rsquo;s also helpful to remind them of specific projects or experiences where you demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, or other key qualities. Don&rsquo;t forget to mention your application deadlines give them at least 3-4 weeks so they have enough time to write thoughtfully.
A strong LOR should be specific and personal. Instead of using general statements like &ldquo;She&rsquo;s a great leader,&rdquo; it should describe real examples, such as &ldquo;She led a team of five people to successfully complete Project X under tight deadlines.&rdquo; Admissions committees appreciate genuine, detailed letters that highlight your growth, impact, and potential. The letter should also support what you&rsquo;ve written in your MBA essays, creating a consistent story about who you are as a candidate.
Before your recommender starts writing, have a conversation with them. Explain why you&rsquo;re applying to an MBA program, what you hope to achieve, and how their letter can help your application stand out. This personal touch makes the letter feel more authentic and convincing. In last strong LOR comes from someone who knows you well, includes real examples of your work, and aligns with your overall MBA application.
To know more information, visit here: LOR for MBA

Supriya J · Answer

A strong Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for your MBA application should highlight your skills, leadership, and impact. While it&rsquo;s not completely under your control following these tips will help you to get a relevant and strong LOR.
1. Choose the Right Person

Pick someone who knows your work well, such as your manager, supervisor, or mentor.
Avoid choosing someone based only on their title. A direct manager who can share real examples is better than a CEO who barely knows you.

2. Give Them Enough Time

Ask for the recommendation at least a month in advance.
Let them know the deadline and any key points the school wants them to cover.

3. Share Your Achievements

Provide a list of your biggest contributions at work.
Remind them of specific projects where you showed leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving.
If possible, share your career goals so they can connect their feedback to your MBA plans.

4. Make It Personal and Specific

A good LOR includes real examples of your strengths.
It should show how you made an impact in your team or company.
Avoid generic statements like &ldquo;They are hardworking.&rdquo; Instead, it should explain how you added value.

5. Follow Up Politely

Check in once to see if they need help but don&rsquo;t rush them.
Once they submit it, thank them for their support.

A LOR should be authentic, strong, and detailed. It should not feel forced or exaggerated so choose someone who knows you well and can genuinely support your MBA ambitions with real and meaningful examples.

Yash Mothia · Answer

You need to be strategic to get a strong Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for your MBA application in choosing the right person and guiding them to highlight your best qualities. Here&rsquo;s how to do it:
1. Pick someone who knows your work well, ideally a direct manager or supervisor. If that&rsquo;s not possible, a former manager, senior colleague, or even a mentor can work. The key is that they should be able to talk about your skills, impact, and growth with specific examples.
2. Instead of just asking, "Can you write me a recommendation?" say something like:"Would you be comfortable writing a strong recommendation for my MBA application?"This helps you gauge whether they are genuinely supportive and willing to write a detailed, positive letter.
3. Even the best recommenders need help to craft a strong letter. Give them:
-Your Resume &ndash; So they have a clear view of your achievements-A List of Key Projects &ndash; Remind them of times when you showed leadership or problem-solving-Your MBA Goals &ndash; So they can connect your strengths to your future plans
4. Ask them to highlight not just your strengths but also how you&rsquo;ve improved over time. Admissions teams love to see how candidates learn from challenges and grow as leaders.
5. Ask for the recommendation at least a month before the deadline. Follow up politely to make sure it gets done on time. A rushed LOR might not be as strong.
Remember, A strong, personalized LOR can make a huge difference in your MBA application, so put in the effort to get it right!