Letters of Recommendation

The W. P. Carey MBA requests you secure two (2) Letters of Recommendation, which you should collect directly from your recommenders.  You may wish to provide your recommenders with the following link to our recommended Letter of Recommendation Form.

These individuals should be able to speak to your personal qualities, career focus, and potential for success in the graduate business classroom.  They should know you personally and be familiar with your career history, credentials, leadership strengths and professional aspirations.  Potential sources for Letters of Recommendation include:

• Supervisors
• Colleagues
• Business suppliers
• Customers
• Internship supervisors
• Professional organization representatives

Letters of Recommendation from family or personal friends are generally inappropriate.

Letters of Recommendation from previous academic professors, volunteer site supervisors or organizational advisors are accepted but should be complemented by a professional recommendation.

You may wish to provide your recommenders with our optional Letter of Recommendation Form.  Free-style letters on company stationery (where appropriate) are acceptable.  Recommenders may wish to address the following items in their letter as outlined in our Letter of Recommendation Form.

1. Describe your relationship to the applicant.
2. Describe any professional abilities or interpersonal skills which make this applicant effective in the work environment.  Discuss any specific projects where you have observed these skills demonstrated.
3. Describe any unique characteristics this applicant demonstrates.
4. Please comment on your assessment of how obtaining an MBA can fit into this applicant’s career goals and aspirations.
5. How would this applicant’s qualifications assist him/her in completing graduate business coursework in a rigorous, team-based environment?
6. What additional comments would you like to bring to the attention of the admissions committee regarding this applicant’s candidacy?

Once you have collected your Letters of Recommendation, please forward them to the ASU Graduate College in a complete package with all supplemental documents as outlined in the Supplemental Document Cover Sheet.