Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD: Samples, Format & Tips

A letter of recommendation for a PhD is a formal document written by a professor, research supervisor, or employer who knows your academic or research work well. Your recommender explains who you are as a researcher, how you work, and why you are suitable for doctoral studies. This letter helps universities understand your potential beyond grades, test scores, and publications.

A recommendation letter for PhD is important because it shows universities how you perform in real academic or research settings, not just on paper.

Here are the key reasons why a letter of recommendation for a PhD matters so much:

• Gives a real picture of you as a researcher: Grades and test scores don’t show how you think, research, or solve problems. A strong phd LOR explains these things in a practical and believable way.
• Adds credibility to your application: When a professor or research supervisor vouches for you, it builds trust. Universities take your application more seriously when it is supported by experienced academics or professionals.
• Is a mandatory requirement at top universities: Leading institutions like Harvard University and Stanford University clearly state that PhD applicants must submit two to three academic Letters of Recommendation for PhD as part of the application process.

There are mainly two types of PhD LORs that universities ask for: one is an Academic LOR and the other is a Professional LOR. 

Here are the details of each type of letter of recommendation for PhD:

Academic LOR

An academic LOR for PhD is written by someone who has taught, guided, or supervised you in an academic or research environment.

• Written by professors or research supervisors: This letter comes from a professor, thesis guide, or lab supervisor who has directly witnessed your academic or research work.
• Focuses on research and academic skills: It highlights your subject knowledge, research ability, analytical thinking, and performance in coursework or projects.
• Most preferred by universities: Top universities like MIT and Oxford generally prefer academic Letters of Recommendation for PhD, and many make them mandatory for doctoral applications.

Professional LOR

A professional LOR for PhD is written by someone who has supervised you in a work or industry research environment.

• Written by managers or industry mentors: This letter is provided by a team lead, research manager, or senior professional who has worked closely with you.
• Highlights practical research and work skills: It focuses on problem-solving ability, technical skills, teamwork, and how you apply research concepts in real-world settings.
• Useful for applicants with work experience: A professional LOR for PhD is helpful if you have significant research-based work experience or limited academic exposure.

A letter of recommendation for PhD follows a clear structure from your full name to personal achievements so that admissions committees can quickly understand the student’s strengths.

Below is a detailed breakdown of what each part should contain and how it should be written:

Salutation

The salutation is the opening of the letter and addresses the reader politely. If the exact name of the admissions committee or officer is unknown, a general greeting is acceptable. A proper salutation sets a professional tone for the letter. It should always include “Dear” followed by the committee or program name. Avoid informal greetings or abbreviations.

Example: Dear Admissions Committee,

Introduction

The introduction tells the reader who the recommender is and how they know the student. It should clearly state the relationship, such as professor, thesis advisor, or supervisor and the duration of interaction. This section should also mention the purpose of the letter, i.e., recommending the student for a PhD program.

Example: I am writing to recommend Rohan Sharma for the PhD program in Computer Science. I have been Rohan’s professor and thesis supervisor at ABC University for the past three years. During this time, I have closely observed his research skills, academic performance, and professional attitude. I am confident that he has the potential to succeed in advanced doctoral studies.

Summary of all Skills

This section highlights the student’s research skills, academic knowledge, and soft skills. The recommender should describe abilities like problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, and experimental design. Hard skills such as programming, lab techniques, or statistical software proficiency should also be mentioned if relevant. Soft skills like teamwork, discipline, curiosity, and the ability to accept feedback are equally important.

Example: Rohan has exceptional research skills and can design experiments, analyse complex data, and draw meaningful conclusions. He is highly skilled in Python and statistical modeling tools. He consistently demonstrates critical thinking and solves problems in innovative ways. Rohan collaborates effectively with peers and is receptive to feedback, which improves the quality of his work. These abilities make him well-prepared for rigorous PhD research.

Personal Achievements

This section provides specific examples of the student’s accomplishments that show their academic potential and research capability. It can include thesis projects, publications, conference presentations, awards, or other worth mentioning contributions. Each achievement should be explained briefly, focusing on impact through numbers or some data and relevance to research.

Example: During his final-year thesis, Rohan developed a machine learning model that increased prediction accuracy by 15%. He presented his research at the National Computer Science Conference, receiving commendation from faculty and peers. Rohan also contributed to a collaborative research paper that is under review in an international journal. He has been awarded the University Merit Scholarship for academic excellence in two consecutive years. These achievements reflect his dedication and ability to perform high-quality research.

Final Statement

The closing statement clearly recommends the student for the PhD program and concentrates on confidence in their success. It should summarize why the student is suitable for advanced research. The recommender can also, in fewer words, mention the student’s potential to contribute to the university’s academic community.

Example: I strongly recommend Rohan Sharma for admission to your PhD program in Computer Science. His research skills, academic excellence, and dedication make him an ideal candidate for doctoral studies. I am confident that he will contribute significantly to your research community. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further details.

Signature and Other Details

The signature section confirms the authenticity of the letter. It should include the recommender’s full name, designation, department or company, institution, email, and phone number. Including contact details allows the university to verify the recommendation if needed.

Example:

Dr. Amit Verma

Professor, Department of Computer Science

ABC University

Email: amit.verma@abc.edu

Phone: +1-617-XX5-4129

A LOR for PhD should follow basic formatting rules like a word count of 400 to 600 and Times New Roman font style.

Here are the key formatting guidelines for PhD LOR to keep in mind:

• Word Count: Keep the letter between 400-600 words so it is detailed but not too long.
• Font Style: Use a clear, professional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Font Size: Keep the font size 11-12 points for better readability.
• Margins: Use standard margins of 1 inch on all sides to make the letter look neat.
• Line Spacing: Use 1.15-1.5 line spacing so the text is easy to read and does not look cluttered.
• Vocabulary: Use simple, formal words; avoid slang or overly complicated terms.
• Paragraph Structure: Keep paragraphs short, around 3-5 sentences, each focusing on one point about the student.
• Consistency: Maintain the same font, size, and spacing throughout the letter to give it a polished look.
• Header and Signature: Include the recommender’s name, position, institution, and contact details at the end for credibility.

Referring to a LOR sample for PhD becomes extremely important because it helps applicants understand the expected tone, structure, depth of evaluation, and level of academic or professional detail required by universities.

Below, we have provided two detailed and original LOR samples for PhD applications: one academic and one professional:

Academic LOR Sample for PhD 

This is an academic letter of recommendation sample for PhD programs provided strictly for guidance. Names, institutions, and details are fictional and should not be copied or submitted as-is.

Professional LOR Sample for PhD

This is a professional Letter of Recommendation Sample for a PhD created solely for reference. All names, organizations, and project details are fictional and must not be copied.

Different universities have slightly different requirements for a letter of recommendation for a PhD, like Harvard, which asks for 3 academic LORs, while Stanford University requires 2 to 3 strong PhD LORs.

Here are the key requirements for a PhD LOR from some popular universities:

• Harvard University: Requires 3 academic LORs from professors or research supervisors.
• Stanford University: Requires 2 to 3 letters, mainly academic suitabile for doctoral work.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): Requires 3 academic LORs, ideally from faculty who have supervised the student in research or thesis projects.
• University of Cambridge: Asks for 2 academic LORs, and 1 professional LOR can be added if the applicant has relevant work experience.
• Oxford University: Requires two academic letters, with a focus on research skills and intellectual ability.
• ETH Zurich: Requests 2 to 3 PhD LORs from academic supervisors familiar with the student’s research projects.
• National University of Singapore (NUS): Requires 2 to 3 academic LORs, and if the student has good professional research experience, 1 professional letter can be included.

When writing a LOR for a PhD application, some mistakes happen very often, like being too general or not mentioning real research skills.

Here are the common mistakes to watch out for when writing a PhD LOR:

• Being too vague: Writing general words like “good student” without giving examples does not show the student’s real ability.
• Ignoring research skills: Not mentioning the student’s research, experiments, or technical work makes the letter weak for PhD applications.
• Skipping soft skills: Forgetting to describe qualities like curiosity, teamwork, or discipline can make the student seem less ready for long-term research.
• Poor structure or formatting: A letter that is messy, with wrong margins, fonts, or too long paragraphs, looks unprofessional and is harder to read.
• Missing concrete examples: Only describing traits without giving examples of projects, experiments, or achievements reduces credibility.

Applying for a PhD can be overwhelming when it comes to getting strong letters of recommendation for a PhD. Many students struggle with knowing who to ask and how to guide their recommenders to write a meaningful letter. One tip is to provide your professors or supervisors with a clear list of your achievements and research work.

With Yocket Premium, you can simplify this process even more. It helps you track all your recommenders, set reminders, and even access sample formats and guidance for LORs. This way, you can stay organized and make sure your PhD LOR is strong and ready before application deadlines.