We have included one of the applicant's actual recommendations for your review. The following represents the recommender's response to two questions in which Harvard asked the recommender to rank various attributes of the application. These responses are followed by the text of the actual letter of recommendation. Think about how this recommendation does or does not support the picture presented by the applicant in his essays. 
First Question Asked by Harvard
Please give us your appraisal of the applicant in terms of the qualities listed below. Rate the applicant in comparison with others applying for graduate school whom you have known or with young men and women in your own organization who are on a "fast management track."
Answer by Recommender
· Integrity = Unusually Outstanding (Top 2%)
· Intellectual Ability = Unusually Outstanding (Top 2%)
· Analytical Ability = Unusually Outstanding (Top 2%)
· Imagination and Creativity = Superior (Top 5%)
· Motivation = Superior (Top 5%)
· Maturity = Excellent (Top 15%)
· Administrative Ability = Excellent (Top 15%)
· Ability to work with others = Unusually Outstanding (Top 2%)
Question Asked by Harvard
The Harvard Business School's faculty places heavy emphasis on the frequency and the quality of the contribution that each student provides to classroom discussions. Class sizes are large. In the context of participating in a classroom discussion with eighty (80) or more people present would you please rank the candidate on the following qualities:
Response by Recommender
· Self Confidence = Unusually Outstanding (Top 2%)
· Ability in Oral Expression = Unusually Outstanding (Top 2%)
Content of Recommendation Letter
Dear Sir/Madame:
I would like to enthusiastically recommend John Smith as a strong addition to the Harvard Business School. John not only has the technical qualifications and mental turpitude for admission to your prestigious program, but also has demonstrated the leadership, business acumen, management ability, technical expertise, and oral and written skills necessary to succeed in all that he endeavors.
As John's supervisor at The Insurance Bank for the past two years, I have observed his substantial skills first hand and have been astonished with his level of performance at such a young age. 
Although I am four years his senior and have received an MBA, John has consistently displayed insight and knowledge equal to or better than my own, and I rely upon his judgment quite heavily.
In his position as a consultant, John is required not only to perform technical exercises, he is also expected, among other things, to (1) manage multiple projects simultaneously visa a vis predetermined budgets, (2) cultivate and strengthen client relationships, (3) manage a staff of analysts and word processors on client engagements, (4) develop internal systems and procedures, (5) develop new products and services, and (6) think creatively. He has not only fulfilled