Do recommendations really matter for business school admissions?

Question

Do recommendations really matter for business school admission? Does a recommendation from a board of trustee member or someone who donates a great deal of money go a long way?

I'm curious.. Hoping some of you may have worked in admissions.

Answer 1

I've been on a business school admissions committee in the past. Recommendations can matter, especially in marginal cases (if you had a 4.0 from an elite school, a GMAT of 800, and five years of work experience at a major corporation, no one cares). However, the types of recommendations we look for have nothing to do with money given or service to the university. What we want to ensure is that the individual is capable of doing graduate-level academic work and that they have potential in the business world. Thus, letters from professors who know you well and from your supervisors at work would be preferable to those from a trustee or donor.