References That Count: How to Choose (and Guide) the Right Referees

In this episode of the Ivey MBA Admissions Series, Lindsay and Aimee share how to choose referees who can truly speak to your impact — and what makes a reference stand out.  They explain why it’s not about a referee’s title, but how well they’ve seen you in action. This episode is also designed for referees, as they break down what we’re really looking for in the free-form sections on leadership, interpersonal skills, strengths, and development areas. Forget one-liners like “works well with others” — great references tell us who you are, not just what you’ve done.