The Georgetown / McDonough online application for the full-time MBA is now live for candidates hoping to begin their MBA studies in fall 2016, which means that the school’s recommendation forms are now available to those supporting b-school aspirants this season.

The Georgetown / McDonough MBA recommendation questions for 2015-2016 are as follows.

Recommenders are asked to begin by providing some context on their own backgrounds and relationship with the applicant:

How long have you known the applicant? (drop down menu)
Please check the box that most clearly defines your relationship to the applicant (multiple choice)
If other, please specify: (text field)
Are you an alumnus/a of Georgetown University? (select yes or no)
If yes, are you a McDonough School of Business alumnus/a? (select yes or no)

The admissions committee then poses a series of short-answer questions about the applicants’ strengths, areas for growth, interpersonal skills, and professionalism. Recommenders are asked to respond to each in 750 characters (approximately 125-150 words).

Describe the applicant’s strengths. How does this applicant’s professional performance compare with his/her peers? (750 characters, including spaces)

Describe the applicant’s main areas in need of development. Provide specific examples. (750 characters, including spaces)

Describe the applicant’s interpersonal skills. Is the applicant effective when working on a team? (750 characters, including spaces)

Describe the applicant’s professional poise, his/her ability to handle him/herself in a business setting. (750 characters, including spaces)

How does the applicant typically handle him/herself under pressure? Provide a specific example. (750 characters, including spaces)

Respondents are then presented with a Recommendation Rating section. Instead of the grid rating system favored by many programs, recommenders are simply asked to use a drop down menu to rate the applicant on a scale of 1-4 based on descriptions for each skill/domain. The content of this section includes interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, team and leadership qualities, business savvy, and intellectual curiosity.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Description 1 – Exhibits social awkwardness that may negatively impact individuals and teammates; or displays inappropriate behavior
Description 2 – Seems apathetic or appears to “know it all”; or exhibits some social awkwardness (i.e. overly shy, fidgety, limited eye contact, disengaged)
Description 3 – Actively engaged, professional image and attitude; appears comfortable and competent during interaction; socially at ease
Description 4 – Poised, asks probing questions; appropriately confident during interaction, socially adept
N/A – Unable to comment based on experience with applicant

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Description 1 – Unable to understand a point of view different from his/her local culture; seemingly limited to one viewpoint or culture
Description 2 – Recognizes varying perspectives but has limited or minimal exposure to, or knowledge of other cultures; however, is able to understand issues in the context of his/her own national culture
Description 3 – Identifies the nuance and values the differences between cultures; has a view of the world that is shaped by experiences outside his /her own national culture
Description 4 – Seeks to understand and participate in other cultures; has significantly engaged another culture first hand
N/A – Unable to comment based on experience with applicant

BUSINESS ACUMEN
Description 1 – Minimal business knowledge; experience has been in a non-business related field
Description 2 – Limited business knowledge; may observe others’ involvement but has only had limited, indirect involvement in business
Description 3 – Broad business knowledge or has transferrable skills that relate to a business- related position
Description 4 – Work has included in-depth business experiences in which he/she had first-hand involvement
N/A – Unable to comment based on experience with applicant

TEAMWORK
Description 1 – Does not demonstrate the ability to work effectively on a team
Description 2 – Demonstrates the ability to work only somewhat effectively on a team
Description 3 – Engages in effective teamwork and collaboration; however, focuses on his/her own accomplishment rather than that of the group
Description 4 – Embraces and creates opportunities for collaboration; leverages team strengths; focuses on the accomplishment of the group over that of the individual
N/A – Unable to comment based on experience with applicant

INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY
Description 1 – Shows minimal interest in learning both in their personal/professional life
Description 2 – Demonstrates some interest in personal/ professional intellectual pursuits, but it does not appear to be a priority
Description 3 – Has a desire to invest time and energy in personal/professional learning; demonstrates a willingness to engage in learning but may not take initiative to do so
Description 4 – Seeks opportunities and actively engages in learning; pursues learning to enhance personal/professional life
N/A – Unable to comment based on experience with applicant

LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Description 1 – No demonstrated leadership skills; no evidence of initiative
Description 2 – Expresses desire for leadership role; has limited or minimal leadership experience
Description 3 – Moderate experience in influencing and motivating others; limited opportunity to develop skill set
Description 4 – Has had notable leadership experiences; demonstrates keen ability to influence and motivate others toward a common goal; has significant experience in a leadership role
N/A – Unable to comment based on experience with applicant

Finally, recommenders are invited to upload any additional comments they would like to share with the admissions committee, and are asked to summarize the strength of their recommendation for the applicant’s admission to the MBA program.

If you would like to provide additional comments please use the ‘upload document’ button below to upload your response.

Extent of Recommendation:
I strongly recommend this applicant to the Georgetown MBA Program.
I recommend this applicant to the Georgetown MBA Program.
I recommend (with reservations) this applicant to the Georgetown MBA Program.
I do not recommend this applicant to the Georgetown MBA Program.