Letter of Recommendation for Masters in Public Health: LOR Guide for MS in Public Health

If you have applied for an abroad study for the first time, diving into this new world of college applications can make the array of documentation requirements seem elaborative and confusing. But worry not!

For the uninitiated, LORs or Letter of Recommendation, as the name suggests, is simply a reference statement provided by someone who is in a position to assess your performance. 

LORs are an essential part of the student documentation, provided that a well-written LOR can inform the admissions committee about the candidate's prior performance alongside his impact on the recommender. This, in turn, helps the honourable committee to be a better judge of your candidature. 

It is common practice for most universities to ask for three LORs, but this can vary sometimes. Therefore, reading the provided prompt and following the instructions diligently is highly recommended. Let’s get started on drafting an impressive MS in public health LOR. 

Suggested: Sample LOR for Masters (MS)

There are two forms LORs most commonly used, Academic LORs and Professional LORs. While the former is recommended by a professor or supervisor, vouching for the candidate's credibility to be a part of the chosen program, the latter can be provided by co-workers, employers, and clients the individual has dealt with. Let us understand these two in further detail:

Academic LORs

• While applying for master’s programs abroad, preferably approach your professor/lab consultants for an honest recommendation.
• In case, you are applying for a bachelor’s, approach your school teachers or your principal. 
• Try to approach teachers or professors whom you have actively worked with during your education. 
• The content of this LOR is mostly focused on your academic accomplishments while earning the degree. 

Professional LORs

• This type of LOR is generally opted by those who are applying for a master’s program and have prior professional experience. 
• You can approach a co-worker, manager, HOD, or your employer for a recommendation. 
• If there is a possibility for a recommendation from a client, it is highly recommended. 
• The content of this LOR will focus on your career growth and overall performance during the work tenure. 

Suggested: Letter of Recommendation Guide for MS, MBA, and Others 

Public health is a subject sought by many, and thus it is absolutely necessary for your LOR to be unique and make a mark on the admissions committee at top universities. 

However, while writing a LOR, one has to be mindful of the level of the program they are applying for. For instance, if you are seeking admission to an undergrad program, focus on overall school performance, academic achievements, and extracurriculars. This slightly changes when the level is changed to a master's program. The focus is then shifted towards relevant subjects and projects you have pursued that have given you hands-on experience in the matter. 

Here is an easy-to-follow guideline on how to draft a prominent LOR while applying for MS in public health at your dream university.

Paragraph 1: An introduction 

Introduce how the recommender is related to you, as in what role they play in your life and by what credibility are they recommending you. 

Paragraph 2: Body Paragraphs

In the body of your letter of recommendation, discuss the various skills the concerned student (in this case, you) has showcased and do not forget to add examples of projects and other activities. This, in turn, adds more credibility to the skills mentioned and gives you the extra leverage needed to stand out from other applications. Do not forget to mention extracurricular activities. After all, all work and no play are not advised by anyone.

Paragraph 3: Conclusion

This is, like every other conclusion one writes, an overall summary of all that you/the recommender have written so far. Mention the critical characteristics of the candidate, almost like a brief reminder, and how these have led the recommender to believe in the candidate. Sign off with a note of being open to any further queries through the provided contact information. 

Suggested: How to Write an SOP for Public health? 

Following are the top public health universities with their LOR guidelines. Let’s explore! 

Following are the do’s and don’ts to write an actionable LOR. 

The Do’s: 

• Be true to the information you provide in the LOR. 
• Have a detailed discussion with your recommender about the nuances of the LOR before drafting the letter. 
• Add anecdotal situations and provide examples of skills. 
• Make the tone formal and keep the details straightforward on the LOR. 
• Emphasise the tasks done under the supervision of the recommender.

The Don’ts: 

• Do not ask for recommendations from someone who might not have supervised you directly.
• Do not dramatise the letter with exaggerated and fancy language. 
• Do not add contradictory or redundant content. 
• Do not ask for a recommendation from a family member or a friend. 

To sum up, a LOR must reflect the best image of the student while providing true and honest information. We hope the guidelines will help you write the perfect LOR for your preferred university in the public health program. 

However, it can be daunting to apply to a university if you don't know the nitty-gritty of their recommendation letter for public health courses. But there is good news, Yocket has got you covered. Enjoy our end-to-end guidance or a customised service plan by choosing Yocket premium. With this, our well-qualified and trained counsellors will mentor you for a successful study abroad ride.