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Michigan / Ross MBA Recommendation Questions

Entrepreneurship at the Zell Lurie Institute of Michigan Ross

The University of Michigan MBA application is now live, for applicants targeting the Ross School of Business this 2024-2025 admissions season. Ross uses the Common Letter of Recommendation from GMAC, and requires only one professional recommendation, ideally a current or former supervisor. If that is not an option, a client, project manager, or professional mentor is also acceptable, but applicants are directed to address why in the optional essay.

2024-2025 Michigan / Ross MBA Recommendation Questions

Recommender Information

Context of Relationship:

  • Current employer
  • Previous employer
  • University / Academic
  • Extracurricular / community
  • Other

Nature of relationship

  • Direct Supervisor
  • Other Supervisor
  • Advisor / mentor
  • Colleague / Peer
  • Direct Report
  • Indirect report
  • Client / Customer
  • Business Partner / Investor
  • Vendor
  • Professor Instructor
  • Other

During which period of time have you had the most frequent contact with the applicant?
If you are affiliated with Ross School of Business or University of Michigan, please indicate how.
  • Ross School of Business Graduate
  • University of Michigan Graduate
  • Staff
  • Other
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ross mba recommendation questions

Recommendation Form

In this section, you will find 12 competencies and character traits that contribute to successful leadership. The competencies and character traits are grouped into five categories:

  • Achievement
  • Influence
  • People
  • Personal Qualities
  • Cognitive Abilities

For each competency, please select the one button that corresponds to the behavior that you have seen the applicant most consistently exhibit. We acknowledge that all applicants have both areas of strength and areas of development. Your candid and honest appraisal will assist in evaluation of the applicant.  Please assume that each level builds upon behaviors of the previous level.

Achievement:

Initiative

Results Orientation

Influence: 

Communication, Professional Impression, Poise & Presence

  • Struggles to get point across; neglects to understand audience’s input or perspective; lacks confidence and gets flustered under pressure
  • Works to get point across; acknowledges feedback; reframes statements when necessary to make them clearer; speaks politely; remains composed in known circumstances
  • Present views clearly and logically structures content for a road audience; listens and responds to feedback; prepares in advance to appear confident; leaves a positive and professional impression; responds confidently in unfamiliar situations
  • Structures content for senior-level meetings; maintains composure when challenged; solicits opinions and concerns, discusses them openly and adjusts communication; when in strong conflict or crisis, remains cool under pressure; channels strong emotion into positive action

Influence and Collaboration

People:

Respect for Others

Team Leadership

Developing Others

Personal Qualities:
Trustworthiness/ Integrity

Adaptability/ Resilience

Self Awareness

Cognitive:

Problem Solving

Strategic Orientation

(Optional) Is there anything about your competency ratings on which you’d like to comment?

Based on your professional experience, how do you rate this candidate compared to her/his peer group?

  • Unable to assess
  • Below Average
  • Average
  • Very Good (well above average)
  • Excellent (top 10%)
  • Outstanding (top 5%)
  • The best encountered in my career

Overall, I…

  • Do not recommend this applicant
  • Recommend this applicant, with reservations
  • Recommend this applicant
  • Enthusiastically recommend this applicant

Recommender Questions

Please answer the following questions and provide specific examples where possible.

Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (50 words)

How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (500 words)

Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (500 words)

Is there anything else we should know? (Optional)