Letter of Recommendation for MBA — Free Template for Supervisors
MBA admissions committees use recommendations to understand how an applicant leads, works with others and grows from feedback. Most expect the letter to come from a current or former supervisor who has seen the applicant's impact firsthand. This version gives you a clear structure built around one strong leadership example.
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[Your email and phone number]
October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear MBA Admissions Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for an MBA program. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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What MBA programs want to learn
Business schools want evidence of leadership, impact, teamwork, communication and growth. Choose one or two examples where the applicant led people or a project and changed an outcome. Describe the situation, what they did and what happened as a result.
Many programs also ask about the applicant's areas for development. Answering honestly, and showing how the applicant responded to feedback, makes the whole letter more believable.
Check the program's format
Many MBA programs collect recommendations through an online form with specific questions rather than a traditional letter. Use this letter to organize your thoughts and examples, then adapt the content to each question.
Ask the applicant for their résumé, the programs they're applying to and their goals so your examples support the story they're telling.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid generic praise that could describe any strong employee; committees want to know what makes this applicant different. Don't share confidential business figures, client names or internal strategy to make a point, and approximate results instead. Avoid copying language from the applicant's own essays, since admissions readers compare materials. Finally, submit before the deadline for the applicant's round, as late letters can delay a file.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for mba
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Rachel Thompson
Vice President of Operations, Crestline Logistics
rthompson@crestlinelogistics.com, (555) 921-6604
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for Kevin Osei
Dear MBA Admissions Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend Kevin Osei for an MBA program. I have been Kevin's direct supervisor at Crestline Logistics for three years, first when he was an operations analyst and now as a regional operations manager.
Kevin combines strong analytical skills with an unusual ability to bring people along. He earns the trust of warehouse supervisors and senior executives alike, asks for feedback and acts on it quickly. When I told him early on that his presentations were too detailed for executives, his next one was the clearest our leadership team had seen that quarter.
One example shows the kind of person Kevin Osei is. Last year Kevin led a project to redesign delivery routes across our Midwest region. He brought drivers into the planning, piloted the new routes in one city and scaled them to eight more. The project cut fuel costs noticeably and improved on-time delivery, and two other regions have since adopted his approach.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend Kevin Osei without reservation. I am confident Kevin Osei will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at rthompson@crestlinelogistics.com, (555) 921-6604 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Rachel Thompson
Vice President of Operations, Crestline Logistics
Frequently asked questions
Who should write an MBA recommendation?
Most programs prefer a current direct supervisor. If that's not possible, for example because the applicant hasn't told their employer, a former supervisor, senior colleague or client is a common alternative. Programs often ask the applicant to explain their choice.
Should I compare the applicant to their peers?
If the program asks, yes. Saying the applicant is among the strongest people you've managed, and explaining why, is very useful to admissions readers. Be honest; overstated comparisons are easy to spot.
Can the applicant help with the letter?
Applicants can provide notes, accomplishments and reminders of projects, but programs expect the recommender to write and submit the letter. Many schools explicitly prohibit applicants from drafting their own recommendations.
How long should the letter be?
If the program uses questions, follow any word limits. For a traditional letter, one to one and a half pages is typical for business school.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.