UCD Michael Smurfit

Graduate Business School

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Reference Form
Applicant: Fill in the following boxes with your name and address. Then give this form and a stamped, self-
addressed envelope to one of your chosen referees. When you have received the completed reference, include it
with your application.

If you have professional experience, it is preferred that one reference should be completed by one of your work
supervisors, and the other by an academic with knowledge of your abilities. Any academic reference should be
sought from a faculty member who has supervised a major project that you have completed or currently
undertaking, or who has knowledge of your ability and background in mathematical subjects.

Surname: First name(s):

Street: Home telephone:
City/Town: Work telephone:
State/County: Fax:
Zip/Postal Code: Email:
Country: UCD Student Number
(if applicable) :
Confidentiality: You may or may not ask your referee to give you a copy of this reference. Of course some
referees may be unwilling to provide a reference for you unless they expect it to remain confidential. Please
indicate (by checking one of the boxes at the left ) whether you have asked to receive a copy of this reference
directly from the referee, or if instead you have informed the referee that it will remain confidential except under a
formal petition to review your records as allowed under the Freedom of Information Act.

[ ] I have explicitly asked the referee to give me a copy of this reference.

[ ] I have informed the referee that I intend that this reference will remain confidential, and will be given access to
it only under a formal petition as allowed under the Freedom of Information Act.

REFEREE: The above-named person has applied for the admission to the Master of Science in Business
Analytics at University College Dublin and has nominated you as a referee. The purpose of the programme is to
provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective use of quantitative tools for a career in
business analytics and operations research. This requires a relatively high level of natural talent in, previous
exposure to, mathematics. The questions posed below and on the next page suggest the kind of information that
we find useful in assessing applicants. But this form is provided only for your convenience. We welcome your
comments in whatever format you think suitable.

Please return this form and any additional comments to the candidate for inclusion in his or her application.

If he or she has indicated that the reference should remain confidential then sign the envelope across the seal on
the back.

Alternatively, you may mail completed reference directly to: Admissions Office, UCD Michael Smurfit School
of Business, University College Dublin, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Thank you for spending time and effort to complete this reference.
How do you know the applicant?

Please rate the applicant on the following characteristics by checking the appropriate box.

Characteristic/ Excellent Good Average Fair Poor No opinion

Rating
Mathematical
Ability
Computer and
programming
skills
Creativity
Enthusiasm,
energy, and
dedication to
work
Ability to work
with others
Written and oral
communication
skills
If English is not
the applicant’s
native
language, give
your impression
of his or her
level of fluency
in English

What are the applicant’s outstanding or distinguishing strengths?

If you have worked closely with the applicant on a project (perhaps as his or her adviser or supervisor),
please explain the nature of the project and your respective roles. In what way did this project require the
applicant to demonstrate unusually strong analytical ability and commitment to completing it?

If you have any reservations about the applicant’s ability or motivation to succeed in a demanding
masters’ programme, please explain.

If you would like to make any additional comments, feel free to attach a separate sheet if necessary.

Referee’s Details

Name: Telephone:

Position or Title: Email:

Firm or Institute:

Address:

Referee’s signature__________________________ Date________________________________