UCLA‘s online MBA application is now live for the 2015-2016 admissions season, meaning that the Anderson MBA recommendation questions are now available for applicants and their recommenders. Following contact information and a bit of background on the recommender, the admissions committee requests that the recommender rate the applicant in a number of areas related to communication, interpersonal, and management abilities. The categories and response options are as follows: Results Orientation
1 – Fulfills assigned tasks
2 – Overcomes obstacles to achieve goals
3 – Exceeds goals and raises effectiveness of organization
4 – Introduces incremental improvements to enhance business performance using robust analysis
5 – Invents and delivers best-in-class standards and performance
6 – No Basis Strategic Orientation
1 – Understands immediate issues of work or analysis
2 – Identifies opportunities for improvement within area of responsibility
3 – Develops insights or recommendations that have improved business performance
4 – Develops insights or recommendations that have shaped team or department strategy
5 – Implements a successful strategy that challenges other parts of the company or other players in the industry
6 – No Basis Team Leadership
1 – Avoids leadership responsibilities; does not provide direction to team
2 – Assigns tasks to team members
3 – Solicits ideas and perspectives from the team; holds members accountable
4 – Actively engages the team to develop plans and resolve issues through collaboration; shows how work fits in with what others are doing
5 – Recruits others into duties or roles based on insight into individual abilities; rewards those who exceed expectations
6 – No Basis Influence and Collaboration
1 – Accepts input from others
2 – Engages others in problem solving
3 – Generates support from others for ideas and initiatives
4 – Brings others together across boundaries to achieve results and share best practices
5 – Builds enduring partnerships within and outside of organization to improve effectiveness, even at short-term personal cost
6 – No Basis Communicating
1 – Sometimes rambles or is occasionally unfocused
2 – Is generally to the point and organized
3 – Presents views clearly and in a well-structured manner
4 – Presents views clearly and demonstrates understanding of the response of others
5 – Presents views clearly; solicits opinions and concerns; discusses them openly
6 – No Basis Information Seeking
1 – Asks direct questions about problem at hand to those individuals immediately available
2 – Personally investigates problems by going directly to sources of information
3 – Asks a series of probing questions to get at the root of a situation or a problem
4 – Does research by making a systematic effort over a limited period of time to obtain needed data or feedback
5 – Involves others who would not normally be involved including experts or outside organizations; may get them to seek out information
6 – No Basis Developing Others
1 – Focuses primarily on own abilities
2 – Points out mistakes to support the development of others
3 – Gives specific positive and negative behavioral feedback to support the development of others
4 – Gives specific positive and negative behavioral feedback and provides unfailing support
5 – Inspires and motivates others to develop by providing feedback and identifying new growth opportunities as well as supporting their efforts to change
6 – No Basis Change Leadership
1 – Accepts status quo; does not see the need for change
2 – Challenges status quo and identifies what needs to change
3 – Defines positive direction for change and persuades others to support it
4 – Promotes change and mobilizes individuals to change behavior
5 – Builds coalition of supporters and coordinates change across multiple individuals; may create champions who will mobilize others to change
6 – No Basis Respect for Others
1 – Is sometimes self-absorbed or overly self-interested
2 – Generally treats others with respect; usually shares praise and credit
3 – Is humble and respectful to all
4 – Is respectful to all and generous with praise; ensures other opinions are heard
5 – Uses understanding of others and self to resolve conflicts and foster mutual respect
6 – No Basis Trustworthiness
1 – Shows occasional lapses in trustworthy behavior
2 – Generally acts consistently with stated intentions
3 – Acts consistently with stated intentions even in difficult circumstances
4 – Is reliable and authentic even at some personal cost; acts as a role model for the values of the organization
5 – Is reliable and authentic even at some personal cost; works to ensure all members of the organization operate with integrity
6 – No Basis This section closes with questions asking the recommender to compare the applicant to other professionals with similar qualifications, and to summarize the strength of their recommendation. Based on your professional experience, how do you rate this candidate compared to his/her peer group?
1 – Below average
2 – Average
3 – Very good (well above average)
4 – Excellent (top 10%)
5 – Outstanding (top 5%)
6 – The best encountered in my career Overall
1 – I do not recommend
2 – I recommend with reservations
3 – I recommend this candidate to UCLA Anderson Recommenders are then asked to provide a recommendation addressing three required questions in 1000 characters each, including spaces: How do the candidate’s performance, potential, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (1,000 characters) Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (1,000 characters) In UCLA Anderson’s school culture we share success, drive change and think fearlessly. Please give examples where the applicant exhibited any or all of these. (1,000 characters) Finally, recommenders are invited to upload a document if they have additional comments that fall outside of the scope of the three questions above. | 
