Rotman MBA Recommendation Questions

At Rotman, the school’s focus is on creating real value for both business and society. It encourages students to think critically, drive innovation, and help build organizations that can adapt and thrive. For this, Rotman looks for students who are willing to learn beyond the classroom.

What really sets the MBA program apart is its strong sense of community. Rotman is a diverse and welcoming place where different backgrounds and perspectives are celebrated. There’s a shared responsibility to create a space where people feel they belong. It’s not just about academic excellence; it’s also about showing up with curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to work together.

How Many Letters of Recommendation Does Rotman MBA Require?

As a Rotman MBA applicant, you are expected to submit two letters of recommendations in your MBA application, preferably from people who work with you currently, or who have worked with you in the past. The school does not accept academic letters of recommendation. If you are self-employed, you may use a customer or a partner.

Rotman offers detailed tips for references: 

• Whom to choose: It’s best to avoid choosing subordinates, colleagues, mentors, or personal acquaintances, even if they have impressive credentials. Note that a senior title doesn’t guarantee a strong recommendation. A manager who has worked closely and directly with you and seen your contributions firsthand is far more effective than a high-ranking executive who barely knows you.

  
  

• Client and stakeholder recommendations are accepted: If appropriate, you can ask external partners such as clients, suppliers, or other collaborators to serve as recommenders, provided they’ve worked with you directly and can speak to your professional strengths.

  
  

• Self-employed or family business candidates: If you’ve been working for yourself or in a family-run company, ask professional contacts outside your organization, such as clients, board members, or project partners, to write on your behalf. Avoid using current employees as recommenders.

Unlike most other business schools, Rotman frames its Letter of Recommendation questions uniquely. It also accepts an optional Long Letter of Recommendation, if your recommender has other comments to add. 

Rotman MBA Recommendation Questions 2025 - 2026

Recommender Information

Please Enter Your Name

Please Enter Your Job Title

Please Enter Your Organization

Your Relationship to Applicant

How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?

Recommender Questions

• List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe the candidate (single words only, no sentences please)

  
  

• Of the qualities listed above, in which areas has the applicant distinguished himself/herself most?

  
  

• What would you consider the applicant's primary area for improvement or growth?

  
  

• How would you rate the applicant's potential for becoming a successful business leader?

  
  

• Please indicate your overall recommendation for this individual

Sam

Jon

Zack

Alex

Malvika

Rowan

Nanako

Mario

Analysis

For the basic Recommender Information questions, ask your recommender to fill in all the fields accurately. If your recommender is a former supervisor who has moved to a new company, they should state this fact as well as the title they held at the time of your professional association. 

Recommender Questions

There is no word limit for the following questions. 

1. List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe the candidate

(single words only, no sentences please)

Here, recommenders should choose a blend of personal and professional attributes that reflect the candidate’s strengths in leadership, teamwork, and analytical thinking. The selected words should not be generic strengths, but tailored to what they have observed about the applicant during their time together. Good options include “resilient,” “strategic,” “empathetic,” “collaborative,” or “entrepreneurial,” depending on the context of their work and impact.

2. Of the qualities listed above, in which areas has the applicant distinguished himself/herself most?

When explaining which qualities the applicant has most clearly demonstrated, the recommender should pick 2-3 qualities from the list above and support their choice with brief, specific anecdotes in the SCAR format.

For example, if the applicant is described as “resilient” and “collaborative,” the recommender might reference a time when the candidate managed a high-pressure client crisis with focus, or when they led a cross-functional team to deliver results under a tight deadline. What’s important here is to show how those attributes have played out in real settings, especially those with business relevance. 

3. What would you consider the applicant's primary area for improvement or growth?

For the applicant’s primary area for growth, the recommender should choose something real but not disqualifying. Ideally, it’s an area that the candidate has already begun addressing, such as learning to delegate more effectively, or becoming more assertive in team meetings. The answer should avoid harsh or exaggerated criticism, and instead frame the growth point as part of a developmental arc. For example, “In earlier projects, the candidate could be hesitant to delegate tasks, but I’ve seen measurable progress as they’ve taken on larger responsibilities.”

As always, ask your recommender to back their statement with real-world examples. Use the SCAR structure to set up a story where you demonstrated your weaknesses, and how it impacted those around you. 

4. How would you rate the applicant's potential for becoming a successful business leader?

When assessing the applicant’s leadership potential, the recommender should express confidence backed by observable behaviors. Even if the applicant is not yet in a formal leadership role, the recommender can highlight times they showed initiative, inspired others, or took ownership of a complex project. The tone should suggest that the applicant is on a strong upward path and has the mindset and interpersonal skills needed to lead in a global business environment.

5. Please indicate your overall recommendation for this individual

For the final question, the recommender should give a clear, unequivocal endorsement of the candidate. It’s helpful to briefly summarize the candidate’s core strengths; perhaps referencing their growth potential, intellectual rigor, or team contribution. It’s best to close with a sentence that shows personal conviction, like, “I strongly recommend [Name] for the Rotman MBA and believe they will be a valuable addition to the community.”

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