How to get those recommendation letters

No doubt, this is one of the most anxiety-filled steps you have to take in pursuing your application. Schools usually prefer getting recommendations from your direct supervisor, and telling your supervisor is tantamount to saying that you'll be leaving the company soon (or, at least, that you have plans of leaving).

I've already finished this step, and am very happy that my preferred recommenders -- including my supervisor -- are all very supportive. To be honest, I felt that time was running out on my applications, and so I just went ahead and did it. No role-playing, no prepared speech, no scripted plans beforehand. I just told each of them straight that I was planning to get my master's abroad (emphasis on planning), and there was a chance (just a chance!) of me leaving the company in the not-so-near future.

I searched online to see how other people dealt with this situation, and found a most interesting answer here from jaroth04:

I thought about this for a while myself, in the end this is what I came up with:

I'm applying to business school. I'm not going to business school. I'm asking them to help me with an application for an opportunity that I can't possibly know whether or not I'll actually take until I have it. It'd be one thing if you got admitted and only subsequently asked for a recommendation, but in this case, I don't think it's much different than asking someone to be a reference for you when you take out a loan or apply for a job. I have two people from my office writing me recommendations, including my current supervisor.

I understand that people and bosses differ in their interpretation of what it might mean to apply to business school. My boss asked me point-blank recently whether I'd be planning on continuing on with the company, and I told him, "At this point, I have no other choice: I haven't actually been admitted anywhere yet."

Again, your mileage may vary; I know that I personally wouldn't be happy working somewhere that didn't support my growth and advancement.

I hope this helps, this was one of the more stressful parts of the application process for me.



And I agree with him: working for a company that doesn't support your plans for career growth means that it isn't such a great company to work for after all!

Selling my copy of the Princeton Review (with DVD) for 1,000!

I probably don't need this book anymore so I'll sell it. I got it for nearly Php 1,600.00 in Fully Booked.
I've covered it with plastic, and the DVD is intact (never used it).
The book itself is hardly used; I've used it for only a few weeks during my review for the GMAT.
Post a comment below if interested. Meet-ups in Eastwood only.

Princeton Review: Cracking the GMAT 2011 Edition

Overview

If it’s on the GMAT, it’s in this book. Cracking the GMAT with DVD, 2011 Edition, includes:
• Exclusive access to 4 full-length practice tests online
• More than 250 practice questions with detailed explanations
• Engaging video tutorials and admissions advice from our top instructors
• Extensive coverage of math, verbal, and the analytical writing assessment
• Practical information on the what, when, where, and how of the GMAT
• Additional sample problems and drills on the companion website
• Thorough review of data sufficiency, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, sentence correction, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and more
• Planning and organization tips to get you all the way to test day!

Ahead of the Curve: A Perspective on Business School

For all MBA wannabes out there, I definitely recommend getting your hands on this book, Ahead of the Curve by Philip Delves Broughton.

Philip Broughton is a thirty-something journalist (read: someone with no business background) who was fortunate enough to be accepted to HBS. All I can say is, this is one book you want to read if you're wondering what business school would be like, what your classmates would be like, what the subjects would be teaching you, what it feels to be a student to a world-renowned, top-ranked school. Just keep in mind that this book is the perspective of one of the hundreds of Harvard alumni out there.


PS. This book stresses the major advantages that applicants with finance and business experience have over the other students. I wish it wasn't like that, but there you are.