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Cambridge Judge MBA Letter of Recommendation Questions



Cambridge University’s Judge Business School offers candidates a world-class education to help them develop into collaborative, competent, and empathetic leaders. The school looks for individuals who can “reshape business and society”. 


Cambridge Judge specifies that the qualities they value most in applicants are having a learning mindset, strong interpersonal and team skills, demonstrating ambition and resilience, and the ability to thrive under pressure. When writing your essays and guiding your recommenders for your Cambridge Judge application, keep these values in mind. 


How Many Letters of Recommendation Does Cambridge Judge Require?


Cambridge Judge requires one letter of recommendation. The school does not accept academic recommendations.


Ideally, you will get your Judge recommendation from your current supervisor or manager, or from the supervisor or manager at your most recent firm. The school does not accept recommendations from colleagues or peers. They recommend that you ask your recommender to start early so that your application is not held up by a delay in submission.



Cambridge Judge MBA Recommendation Questions 2024 - 2025


Recommender Information


Personal Information

Contact information for recommender


Length of time you have known the applicant?


In what capacity have you known the applicant?


Recommender Ratings


Rate the applicant

Please use the table below to appraise the applicant in the context of her or his peer group.


What is the peer group that you are using?

Number in peer group

Applicant’s ranking within peer group


Rate the applicant on a series of character and leadership traits on the following scale: Below average, Average (top 50%), Good (top 25%), Outstanding (top 10%), Exceptional (top 2%), Insufficient information.


  • Integrity

  • Ability to work with others

  • Creativity

  • Motivation

  • Self-confidence

  • Analytical skills

  • Written communication skills

  • Oral communication skills

  • Leadership potential

  • Responsibility for own action

  • Quantitative numerical skill


Cambridge Judge MBA Recommendation Questions


Please also provide us with a one-two page letter of reference for the candidate. Please tell us anything that you think will help the Admissions Committee evaluate the candidate’s application, but in particular we would like you to address the following issues:


Please complete the following if you are a Supervisor


  • Elaborate and/or provide us with concrete examples if you have rated the applicant as below average, outstanding or exceptional on any of the qualities in the ‘Rate the Applicant’ Section.

  • Describe what you like most and least about working with the applicant.

  • Tell us about any particular weakness the candidate has compared to other peers/team members that you regularly work with.

  • Describe the applicant’s attitude and behaviour when working with: (a) managers/supervisors (b) peers (c) subordinates.

  • Suggest what you think the applicant will be doing in ten years.


Analysis


Applicant Ratings


The Cambridge Letter of Recommendation form provides your recommender with a scale of 11 broad skills that evaluate the candidate's ability to thrive in the MBA classroom. 


Guide your recommender to think deeply about these ratings. They should not choose the highest ratings for all skills, as this looks contrived and inauthentic. Choose the highest rating "Exceptional (Top 2%)" for 8-9 skills, the second highest "Outstanding (top 10%)" for 1-2 skills, and the third highest “Good (Top 25%) for 1, considering this as an area for improvement. 


Recommendation Questions


Please also provide us with a one-two page letter of reference for the candidate. Please tell us anything that you think will help the Admissions Committee evaluate the candidate’s application, but in particular we would like you to address the following issues:


Please complete the following if you are a Supervisor


  • Elaborate and/or provide us with concrete examples if you have rated the applicant as below average, outstanding or exceptional on any of the qualities in the ‘Rate the Applicant’ Section.

  • Describe what you like most and least about working with the applicant.

  • Tell us about any particular weakness the candidate has compared to other peers/team members that you regularly work with.

  • Describe the applicant’s attitude and behaviour when working with: (a) managers/supervisors (b) peers (c) subordinates.

  • Suggest what you think the applicant will be doing in ten years.


Guide your recommender to address each point given in the prompt in a one-two page letter.


First, they should establish their relationship with you by briefly explaining their interactions with you and the role you play in the firm.


Next, ask them to elaborate on the ratings given. Their response should clearly outline your strengths through 2-3 anecdotes that shed more light on the ratings they have given above. Ask them to specify the character and leadership skills they have rated you on. The anecdotes will help quantify these skills and demonstrate impact. Guide them to use the SCAR method of writing. Start by explaining the Situation, discuss the Challenge or task you faced, the Actions that you took, and the Results you achieved. 


From these examples, your recommender should draw what they like most and least about you. While it’s easy to praise an applicant’s strengths, your recommender should also be able to objectively discuss your weaknesses and what they feel you can improve on. Follow this with a story of how your weakness impacted your work or your team, what feedback they offered, and how you used it to improve. Again, frame your story in the SCAR format. They should focus on what you learned through this experience. 


In your anecdotes, make sure that your recommender discusses how well you work with others. This has to be explained in three aspects: your team, your managers, and any subordinates you have. Guide your recommender to specifically highlight your interpersonal strengths. 


Your recommender should conclude with an assessment of your potential for success in the MBA and in your long-term career. They can briefly discuss how an MBA can help you develop your personal and professional skills and leadership. 


Our complete Recommender Guide course on MBAConsultant.com has all the advice (and sample letters based on real applicants) you need to create a compelling letter of recommendation. Check it out here.


Our complete Recommender Guide course on MBAConsultant.com has all the advice (and sample letters based on real applicants) you need to create a compelling letter of recommendation.



 

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