UCLA Anderson MBA Recommendation Questions
The UCLA Anderson MBA application requires two professional recommendations. Reapplicants only need to submit one new recommendation. Recommenders should be able to speak to your work performance, capabilities, and potential for graduate studies and future career success, ideally a direct supervisor. There is an online questionnaire, but recommenders may upload an additional letter if they choose. The UCLA MBA recommendation questions are now available for applicants and their recommenders.
2024-2025 UCLA Anderson MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Recommender Information
Context of Relationship
- Current Employer
- Previous Employer
- University/Academic
- Extra Curricular/Community
- Other
Relationship to applicant
- Direct Supervisor
- Other Supervisor
- Advisor/Mentor
- Colleague/Peer
- Direct Report
- Indirect Report
- Client/Customer
- Business Partner/Investor
- Vendor
- Professor/Instructor
- Other
How long have you known the applicant?
During which period of time have you had the most frequent contact with the applicant?
If you are affiliated with UCLA Anderson School of Management or UCLA, please select the option that most closely matches.
- Faculty
- UCLA Anderson Graduate
- UCLA Graduate
- Staff
- Not affiliated
- Other
Section 2: Competency Ratings
Recommenders are asked to rate 10 competencies using the following scale:
Competencies:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Professional Maturity
- Resilience
- Self-Confidence
- Communication
- Analytical and Problem Solving
- Motivation and Initiative
- Work Quality
- Teamwork
- Leadership Potential
(Optional) Is there anything about your competency ratings on which you’d like to comment?
Section 3: Comments and Examples
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. (Recommended word count: 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?) (Recommended word count: 300 words)
- Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Recommended word count: 300 words)
- (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
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
MBA Applywire
I am a 29 yo black brazilian woman. I am civil engineer by the oldest civil engineer school of Brazil with full scholarship. I have been working with data since 2015 and now I am coordinator of a data team I the biggest Latin American Bank. Currently I am studying for toefl and improving my English. My main purposes joining a top tier mba are to improve my leadership skills and to learn with different people from different backgrounds (I am working in the same business since 2017).
I am originally from the UK (now a permanent resident) and went to community college (3.6 gpa), then transferred to a top 25 undergrad and severe health issues due to a disability causing me to get a 3.1 gpa. I then stayed there and did a master’s in finance with a 3.8 gpa. I am very passionate about giving back, especially about the homelessness epidemic. Before college I spent a year in Switzerland volunteering at homeless shelters. During college I led a campus ministry with a focus on helping the unhoused. After my experience with my disability, I started a nonprofit that has consulted with several shelters and foodbanks to help those with similar health issues as myself. I also personally raised capital to purchase and preserve an affordable multifamily property. My career has been in real estate since I graduated, but I have job hopped. My first job was 5 months, then I moved to be closer to family. My next job was for 7 months, but I quit as they were taking actions to make housing unaffordable for first time buyers. My next job was in acquisitions but I was laid off with about half the company due to the rising interest rates that affected the industry. I have been at an impact real estate private equity firm for almost 2 years in an acquisitions, development, and asset management role with a promotion. All my roles have been for REITs or PE firms. My post-mba goal is banking to better learn capital markets and long term to start an affordable real estate investment firm, perhaps in London. I would love to be a wire tap candidate, fingers crossed.
Applying for deferred programs at the mentioned schools. African woman studying Comp Sci and Math. GMAT Focus 98 %tile. Substantial community involvement and some experience at big tech working as a SWE. Thinking of consulting or product management post MBA.