The Basics of an MBA Letter of Support

Fit is one of the most critical factors that admissions officers consider when evaluating an MBA candidate. One of the ways that business schools gauge your fit is through a letter of support.

Unlike a letter of recommendation, an MBA letter of support is written from a member of the B-school that you’re applying to. It could be from a professor, an alumni member, or a friend—anyone from the community who knows you and can provide insight into your suitability as an MBA student and community member.

Susan Cera, Director of MBA Admissions Counseling at Stratus Admissions Counseling, recently broke down the basics of an MBA letter of support with advice on how to choose the right person and how to submit your completed letter.

WHAT IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT?

Whereas a letter of recommendation focuses on your professional accomplishments, an MBA letter of support gives admissions officers an insider view of who you are and how you’ll contribute to the B-school community.

“The content should focus less on your achievements and accomplishments and more on how your presence in that school’s MBA community would enhance the experience for other students,” Cera says. “Basically, the input should be a vote of confidence that the writer would want you to be sitting next to them in a business school class or working on a project team with them, or that they would be honored to call you a fellow alum of their MBA program in a few years.”

WHO CAN WRITE A LETTER OF SUPPORT?

Your writer should be someone with ties to the B-school community who can speak to who you are—from your motivations and aspirations to your leadership and communication skills.

“Maybe your college roommate is a current student with whom you have been discussing your MBA aspirations,” Cera says. “Perhaps a client with whom you have worked late hours for several months on a strategic project is a recent graduate. All of these people might be able to speak to your personal characteristics and fit with the program and would be great options to submit incremental insight to the admissions committee.”

HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER OF SUPPORT

At some schools, submitting a letter of support is as simple as sending an email. Other schools offer an electronic form for submitters to fill out.

“The email should include your name and any identifying information such as an application ID in the subject line,” Cera says. “This will allow the MBA admissions operations team to match the letter with your electronic file.”

As with any application material, be sure to check if the B-school accepts letters of support.

“Someone who is intimately familiar with the program should know whether an extra endorsement is acceptable or welcome,” Cera says. “If someone you know well offers to support your candidacy, suggest that they reach out to the admissions committee to determine if their contribution would be appreciated.”

Sources: Stratus Admissions Counseling, US News