Reference letters for MBA applications

April 6, 2006 12:53 PM

Regarding reference letters for MBA applications...

So I've got three great character references for my MBA applications that need to be in the hands of my prospective schools by the end of the month. The problem is that the sources live in different parts of the continent and have each emailed me PDF files containing their signature. The PDFs are formatted with their respective business stationary and everything.

One of my references has sent me an unsigned PDF telling me that I should sign it myself to use it. (I probably don't need any poo-pooing on my ethics here; these letters are legitimate and their authors are extremely busy people)

I've heard that reference letters should always be signed and sealed original copies. But if a school makes no reference to requiring signed and sealed copies, should I assume that it isn't such a big deal? Will my letters be acceptable if I send them in standard envelopes, printed on the same type of paper with my own signature? Or do I absolutely need to get original copies?

Thank you for your time, I kindly await your response,

posted by dobie to education (5 comments total)

One thing I learned in the application process is that one key skill they are testing you on is the ability to follow directions. Read the apps carefully for instructions on reference letters. Some insist on institutional letterhead, with envelopes signed across the seal. That's going to be hard for you to do without supplying those sigs yourself--according to your note.

But, if they do not call for originals, or signs across seals, you may be ok. I think in large part they will prefer originals in any case. Typically, several faculty and in some cases graduate students will review your file before deciding on admission. That you followed the letter of the requirements will no doubt be noted, but some exceptionally priggish types might question why you only have photostatic copies.

I am not in a B-school though-so I wonder why the policy of having the recommender send the materials directly to the school is not part of your process. Seems to make it unduly hard on you--you clearly want to do this right, but your respondents are already "delegating."

Bottom line, if they say nothing about signing and sealing, it probably isn't that big of a deal for that school.

Good Luck!
posted by beelzbubba at 1:09 PM on April 6, 2006

I wrote a letter last year for a guy I work with who was applying for an MBA program which I think is among the top 20 in the US. They apparently didn't need sealed copies. I just gave him my signed letter, on letterhead of the university where we work, and he submitted it by fax, believe it or not.
posted by shoos at 1:47 PM on April 6, 2006

Why don't you just call the admissions office, explain the situation, and ask if it's okay. Better safe than sorry. This advice is based on the assumption that you haven't already called them a million times.
posted by ml98tu at 1:50 PM on April 6, 2006

I agree with ml98tu, definitely call the admissions people and explain, or include a note with your explanation explaining why you did what you did, they'll appreciate it. In my experience, almost all of the schools that I applied to specified how they wanted the letters of recommendation to appear on the actual recommendation form itself, and most said sign and seal.

Also, you must be very confident in your abilities to be applying this late in the game. As I recall, April was about when I started hearing BACK from schools. Good luck!
posted by echo0720 at 2:04 PM on April 6, 2006

My MBA application required that I submit letters of recommendation in signed, sealed envelopes. However, they asked me to submit them via fax instead. I think those rules are made to be broken...
posted by MeetMegan at 2:26 PM on April 6, 2006