Information for Recommenders

The letter that a recommender submits should address the prompts listed in the Stanford application.

Outdated or general letters do not strengthen a candidate’s application. In addition to qualitative responses, we ask the recommender to assess some of the applicant’s character traits and competencies.

1. How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (Up to 500 words)
2. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Up to 500 words)
3. (Optional) Is there anything else we should know? Please be concise.

All letters of recommendation must be submitted in English. If a recommender thinks their English is not sufficient to convey complex ideas, we ask that the recommender writes the letter in their native language and has it translated into English. A recommender’s friend, colleague, or paid service may translate the document, but the applicant (or the applicant’s friend or family member) may not.

Recommenders should double-space their letter and follow the word guidelines specified below. The letter should be two to four pages in total.

As part of the recommendation, we also ask a recommender to fill out a form assessing the applicant’s character traits and competencies listed below that contribute to successful leadership.

• Adaptability/Resilience
• Communication, Professional Impression & Poise
• Developing Others
• Influence and Collaboration
• Initiative
• Problem Solving
• Respect for Others
• Results Orientation
• Self Awareness
• Strategic Orientation
• Team Leadership
• Trustworthiness/Integrity

We strongly suggest that the recommender submits their letter at least one day prior to the application deadline.

• The recommender must submit their letter through the online application.
• After the applicant registers a recommender through the application, the recommender will receive an email confirmation with login instructions.
• The recommender uses that email to access the application and upload the file containing the recommendation.
• The recommender must be the sole author of the letter of recommendation and may not submit a letter from the applicant’s personal or work computer/laptop.
• If a letter was translated into English, the recommender must upload the letter both in the language in which it was written and in English, and they must provide contact information for the translator.
• If a recommender experiences technical issues while uploading a recommendation, they should contact MBA Admissions for support.