A letter of recommendation (LOR) serves a significant purpose in school admissions, scholarships, internships, and job applications. It is created by a person who has observed the applicant’s performance in the academic field, in the workplace, or as a person, and can provide an unbiased opinion of the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses. For students applying for graduate or master’s degrees, a smart LOR assists in providing additional details to a résumé and academic transcript and shows the candidate’s performance in real-life situations.
A LOR stands for a letter of recommendation. It is usually written by a teacher, professor, project leader, employer, or anyone else with broad knowledge of the candidate. A smart and relevant recommendation must give a complete picture of the person instead of solely providing his/her grades and achievements. It may also cover such aspects as:
A scholar’s abilities,
Analytical and research skills,
Ability to lead and cooperate with other people,
Ability to communicate with people and solve problems,
Fair attitude to his/her job and duties,
Willingness to learn new things.
The exact requirements depend on the organization to which an applicant applies.
Why Is an LOR Important?
A letter of recommendation offers an outsider’s opinion on someone who is applying for a job. In other words, while a resume showcases achievements and a personal statement explains the motivation behind the application, an LOR actually provides real-life details of the candidate’s work/adventures.
For instance, instead of saying that the applicant has leadership qualities, the writer of the LOR can provide an example of the applicant’s work.
The above information makes the letter credible and meaningful.
When it comes to writing an LOR, it is better to choose a person who knows the applicant and can provide examples of the candidate’s qualifications.
Possible authors of an LOR are:
College professor
Research supervisor
Head of department
Supervisor or manager
It is a common mistake to ask a well-known person who doesn’t have any close relationship with the applicant to write an LOR.
General Format of LOR
1. Opening and Introduction
Begin with the date, recipient or admissions committee, and the purpose of the letter. The recommender should briefly introduce themselves and explain their relationship with the applicant.
2. Connection To the Applicant
Indicate your place of employment and duration of working with the student to prove your authenticity.
3. Characteristics and Talents
Describe two or three key characteristics exhibited by the student with the help of relevant examples. Most importantly, one needs to demonstrate research, experience, communication, leadership, and creativity.
4. Accomplishments And Background
Provide noteworthy accomplishments that will strengthen the recommendation letter. Any project or research, internship, or presentation can be crucial in this case.
5. Relevance to the Program
Relate the student’s skills and knowledge to the chosen program or opportunity. The letter should show the reasons why the previous experience can help the student with their further success.
6. Final Recommendation
Provide a clear supporting statement and add the contact details of the author. The letter should be finalized with the author’s signature, name, job title, and company.
Tips for Writing an Effective LOR
A strong LOR should sound authentic rather than exaggerated. Consider these practices:
Use specific incidents instead of generic compliments.
Customize the letter for the university or position where appropriate.
Avoid repeating the applicant’s résumé word-for-word.
Focus on qualities the recommender has personally observed.
Maintain a professional and positive tone.
Keep the content concise and relevant.
Proofread names, program titles, university names, and dates carefully.
Follow the institution’s requirements for length, format, submission method, and confidentiality.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid asking someone who has insufficient knowledge of their work to write the recommendation. Generic letters, unsupported claims, excessive praise, spelling mistakes, and identical letters for every university can weaken an application.
Applicants should also give recommenders enough time and provide useful background information, such as their résumé, academic achievements, projects, career goals, and details about the programs being targeted.
LOR Sample
Dear Admissions Committee,
It is a pleasure for me to recommend [Applicant Name] for admission to the program of [Master’s Program] at the [University Name]. My acquaintance with [Applicant Name] is about three years in my capacity as a professor in Advanced Mathematics and Machine Learning.
In this period of acquaintance, [Applicant Name] has proven his analytical thinking and interest in the understanding of complex ideas. His project in predictive modeling impressed me since the applicant systematically approached problem-solving, evaluated a number of approaches, and communicated the ideas clearly.
Apart from academia, [Applicant Name] played an active role in group projects and helped junior students in understanding technical issues, showing his collaborative approach and the ability to show initiative and take responsibility.
Taking into account my experience with [Applicant Name], I can state that the applicant has the necessary academic basis, curiosity, and determination to study at the graduate level. That is why I can strongly recommend him for the mentioned program.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at [Email Address] or [Phone Number] if you need any additional information.
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