Application documents are essential for students seeking to study abroad. Among the three main categories, including resume, statement of purpose (SOP), and the letter of recommendation (LOR), the third is a crucial endorsement of your skills. That is one of the reasons why all programs, be it MS, MBA, or PhD, require at least 3 LORs written by professors, managers, or team supervisors. But what exactly is a LOR, and how do you get the best one to add more value to your MS, MBA, or PhD candidature? Read on to understand.
You can also check out LOR for Management Courses.
Letters of Recommendation (LORs) are essential to the application process for many graduate programs, including MS, MBA, and PhD programs. LORs provide admissions committees with an expert’s perspective on your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for success in graduate school.
University admissions officers rely on letters of recommendation to assess student potential beyond grades and standardized test scores. Students should carefully select recommenders who can provide meaningful insights into their academic abilities, research skills, and personal qualities. A well-written LOR can enhance a student's application and increase their chances of acceptance.
Universities in foreign countries prioritize student profiles with solid letters of recommendation. But getting the best one from your recommenders can be difficult. So what do we do? Easy! Connect with Yocket Premium and speak with expert advisers to understand how to get the best recommendation letter.
During the COVID era, several universities worldwide have waived off GRE test scores, and in such context, letters of recommendation play an even more significant role. If you are applying for 2024, LORs can make or break your application. This is precisely why you need expert guidance on how to draft the best documents to support your candidature.
This blog will introduce you to a complete guide on how to get the best letters of recommendation if you’re applying for courses like an MS, MBA, PhD, or more. Read on!
What is a Letter of Recommendation(LOR)?
An LOR or it's full form Letter of Recommendation is a document issued by your Professor, Project Guide, or Reporting Manager with whom you have worked testifying for your experience, skills, expertise, and achievements.
A well-drafted LOR from a good recommender can help your application stand out among other applicants since it provides a holistic view of your persona and academic and professional performance. It helps an Admission Officer to gain a better insight into your profile and decide whether you would be a good fit at the institution.
Suggested: Letter of Recommendation for MBA
What are Different Types of Letter of Recommendation?
Depending on the context and the designation of a recommender, the LORs can be broadly classified into two categories:
1. Academic LOR
A Professor, Department Head or Dean at your college or university provides an Academic LOR. It presents an account of your academic performance, achievements, and strengths. Academic recommendation letters must be issued only on the university or college letterhead.
The Academic LORs are more prominent for those planning to apply for a Masters (MS) program. Generally, universities require 2-3 LORs, and applicants should ensure each LOR is distinctive yet relevant to the program they are applying for.
Important attributes to mention in an Academic LOR:
- Academic performance in a subject
- Relevant Projects and Research Work
- Co-curricular initiatives and achievements
- Specific incidents conveying the expertise or work ethics
2. Professional LOR
A professional recommendation letter is issued by a former employer, supervisor or reporting manager you have worked with.
Most Business Schools abroad demand a set amount of work experience from the applicants. Therefore, they require professional LORs to evaluate your practical, hands-on skills better.
A professional recommendation letter differs from an academic one in that it chiefly revolves around your professional and leadership skills. Also, these will be issued only on the organisation's letterhead, duly signed and stamped.
Your recent employer or manager could help prepare a recommendation letter that uniquely paints an impactful picture of your technical and managerial skills.
Essential attributes that you can mention in a Professional LOR:
- Leadership ability
- Areas of expertise
- Soft skills
- Specific work incidents highlighting your strengths
This video will cover all possible questions related to LORs: Whom to ask for an LOR? When is the right time to get an LOR? What to include in an LOR?, and a lot more!
How do you Select a Good Recommender?
Now that you know about a Letter of Recommendation, its significance, and its types, let’s discuss selecting a recommender that would add the most value to your application.
Does Designation of the Recommender Matter for LOR?
Yes, it is significant, but it is not the most crucial factor of your LOR. For example, a college principal may not know you as well as your department head; thus, even though they hold the superior designation, they won’t be able to provide personal accounts of your work and achievements.
Also, it is essential to remember that the universities may contact the recommender later to authenticate the claims mentioned in the letter. So, having a recommender who knows you well can help them better vouch for you.
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For Academic LOR:
The best practice is to approach professors who taught you subjects related to the program you’re applying for. Also, you can approach the project mentor under whom you have worked for your final project or any other major project or research.
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For Professional LOR:
Your current/former reporting manager or supervisor, with whom you have worked for an extended period, would be an apt fit as a recommender.
Depending upon the program you are applying for, strategically select 2-3 recommenders that can add the most value to your application.
A good recommendation can come from:
- Academic/research project guide
- Professors with subjects related to your applied program
- Reporting Manager or Supervisor
- Departmental Head
Choosing a recommender may be challenging, and it is difficult to develop an idea about what to include in LOR content to please the admissions officer. Don't be concerned! You can explore Yocket Premium and get detailed instructions for every aspect of experts who have worked in this sector for decades and helped tens of thousands of students.
Letter of Recommendation(LOR) Format
Your LOR's formatting and content structure is essential to communicate your message correctly. The content should be divided into 4-5 paragraphs, each covering a unique aspect, and the flow of content should be logical.
LOR Length
Your LOR should be about 300-500 words.
Introduction of LOR
A well-structured introduction for a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) should include:
- Date of Writing: Mention the date when the letter is written, typically in the top left corner.
- University Name & Address: Clearly state the full name of the university, followed by its official address, to ensure it's properly directed.
- Salutation: Begin with an appropriate salutation such as "To the Admissions Committee" or "Dear Admissions Officer."
Content Structure for your LOR
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First Paragraph
Establish a concrete relationship between the student and the recommender. In what capacity does the recommender know you, and since when? Mention the designation as well as the areas of expertise of the recommender.
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Second Paragraph
Mention the strengths and qualities you want to convey. Ensure to provide sufficient examples from the recommender’s experience backing the claims. Academic and other achievements should be mentioned, too.
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Third Paragraph
Mention a specific incident highlighting the technical skills, like a project or research work. Co-curricular activities and soft skills can be mentioned, too, if they are relevant to the context.
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Fourth Paragraph
Conclude with a summary of all the points discussed in the letter. Provide an endorsement of the student for acceptance to the applied program.
LOR Formatting
Once you have developed the content, document formatting is another aspect to consider. Since most LORs would be viewed on a screen, you should format it accordingly.
Following are some basic LOR formatting guidelines:
- Use A4 Page Size
- Font size should be around 11/12
- The font color should be black against a white background.
- Set the line and paragraph spacing properly.
- Maintain a one-inch margin on the page.
Note: Maintain the same formatting across all the LORs. This will help to create consistency.
How Long Should a Letter of Recommendation be?
Generally, recommendation letters are a 1-page essay of around 300-500 words. Yet, students should check out if the university has any specific guidelines.
You can check out the sample LORs for MS and sample LORs for MBA to better understand the content formatting and structure.
3 Common mistakes to Avoid in Your Letter of Recommendation(LOR)
1. Mentioning what’s already covered
Each LOR should communicate a unique aspect of your profile from someone credible who has observed your work and performance. Mentioning what has already been said in your SOP, Resume, and other documents will make your LOR less effective.
A good recommendation letter should cover qualitative aspects of your profile that can’t be conveyed otherwise. Like your ability to work effectively in teams and problem-solving skills. These mentions should be substantiated with the recommender’s experience to establish credibility.
2. Choosing the wrong recommender
Often, students choose the wrong recommender, which can hamper the LOR's impact. Remember to select a recommender who can provide maximum value to your application, considering the program you’re applying for.
3. Keeping the same message across all LORs
Universities seek multiple recommendation letters to get a holistic understanding of your profile. This helps them to evaluate your candidature and decide whether you would be a good fit for them.
Students often make the mistake of keeping the same message across all LORs and, thus, send out a flat and monotonous message. Using a fixed template and just filling in the blanks with different recommenders can save time but reduce your chances of acceptance.
Guidelines While Writing An LOR
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Use Simple and Effective Language
Decide on the message you want to convey through your LOR and maintain a simple yet effective tone and vocabulary of the content.
Using complex vocabulary and stuffing the letter with adjectives can affect the message that you intend to convey. Your recommendation letter should be easy to read and straightforward in its message.
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Quantify Your Achievements
While mentioning achievements and performance, try to present those in numbers as you stood among the top 10% of the batch for XYZ subject; providing data to back up achievements makes your profile stand out.
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Work Along with the Recommender
To help prepare an effective LOR, the student should work with the recommender throughout the process.
Professors or Reporting Managers may need to be made aware of the LOR writing best practices and the context in which they must write the letter. To bridge this gap, a student should research and help the recommender with a set format or pointers you want them to write around.
Best LOR Sample for Higher Studies
[Your Name]
[Your Position/Title]
[Your Organization/Institution]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Admissions Committee/Name of Institution]
[Name of Program/Department]
[Institution's Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Admissions Committee/Name of Recipient],
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend [Student's Name] for admission to [Name of Program/Department] at [Name of Institution]. As [Your Position/Title] at [Your Organization/Institution], I have had the privilege of working closely with [Student's Name] for [duration of the relationship], during which I have come to recognize their exceptional talents and dedication.
[Student's Name] has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic prowess and a strong commitment to their studies. With a GPA that consistently ranks among the top in their cohort and numerous accolades for academic excellence, including [specific achievements, awards, or honors], they have proven themselves to be a highly capable and motivated student.
Moreover, beyond their academic achievements, [Student's Name] possesses a remarkable ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. One notable example is [specific incident/project/research work], where [he/she/they] demonstrated exceptional technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, [he/she/they] actively engaged in co-curricular activities, such as [mention relevant activities], which further enhanced [his/her/their] overall skill set and leadership capabilities.
In summary, [Student's Name] is an exemplary candidate who possesses the intellect, drive, and interpersonal skills necessary to thrive in [Name of Program/Department]. I have no doubt that [he/she/they] will make significant contributions to [Name of Institution] and emerge as a leader in [his/her/their] chosen field. It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse [him/her/them] for acceptance to the applied program.
Thank you for considering [Student's Name] for admission. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position/Title]
[Your Organization/Institution]
From the Desk of Yocket
A Letter of Recommendation for an MS, MBA, and many other degrees is a subjective component of a student's application that is crucial in the admissions process. It can sometimes compensate for poor test scores or academic performance and prove that you are more than your GPA
As a result, getting a Letter of Recommendation from your professor, or prior employer with conviction, displaying your worth in your previous employment, and the hard work you've placed in it, and effectively defending yourself in a few hundred words are vital. The more time you spend today preparing your Letter of Recommendation before having it written down by your recommender, the less likely you will have problems later and the less likely you will have to rush. So be motivated and keep writing!
If you need help, click here to speak with our best counselors, who will evaluate your profile for FREE and give you all the essential information to craft the best LORs.
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