My student recently applied to the ASU Online MBA and we’re wondering how important letters of recommendation are. Do applicants get admitted without submitting LORs, or are they strongly expected even if undergrad performance is solid? Any recent experiences would be helpful. Thank you.
The ASU Online MBA program requires applicants to submit two letters of recommendation (LORs) as a crucial part of the application process. Even if a candidate has a strong undergraduate GPA, the absence of LORs will result in the application not being reviewed.
Importance of LORs
- LORs provide insight into an applicant's professional abilities, leadership potential, and commitment, which are assessed alongside academic performance.
- The admissions committee conducts a holistic review, meaning they consider both quantitative (GPA) and qualitative (LORs) aspects of an applicant's profile.
- Applicants must provide the names and email addresses of their recommenders through the ASU Online Graduate Application, after which ASU sends an automated link for them to upload their letters directly.
- While academic references are acceptable, the program prefers professional contacts who can speak to the applicant's work experience.