6 Common Mistakes to Avoid in a LOR

Your LOR sets your impression on the Admission Committee. All your application documents do all the talking on your behalf and your letter of recommendation is one important part of them. Thus, a LOR devoid of mistakes surely goes a long way in casting a favourable impression of your candidature on the Admission Committee. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to avoid common mistakes in LOR writing.

Two schools of thought go behind the importance of a Letter of Recommendation in your application. While some contend that it is nearly impossible to evaluate a student’s ability using the standardized version of a letter of recommendation for Master's, others maintain that this is precisely why it makes the letter one of the most important in your application. They believe colleges frequently review the LORs to determine whether the student’s statements are true and assess the student’s standing with their seniors.

It is the application’s sole third-party endorsement, after all. The candidate prepares all necessary supporting documentation on their own. Therefore, the LOR becomes rather important. Yet, students tend to overlook this important document; as a result, while the student might have worked on a brilliant statement of purpose and a well-crafted resume, the lack of a convincing LOR, might just ruin their chances of making the final cut. As a result, while a student might have crafted an exceptional SOP and resume, mistakes in LOR writing could ruin their chances of making the final cut.

Common Mistakes to be Avoided in LOR

There are several common mistakes in LOR writing that applicants might overlook, whether they are drafting it themselves or assisting their recommender. These must be avoided to leave a strong impression on the Admission Committee. Below are some examples of mistakes in LOR to avoid:

These common mistakes can also be an oversight from whoever is writing, either the recommender or the student on behalf of the recommended. Thus, these must be avoided to leave a standing impression on the Admission committee. 

Here are some Common Mistakes to avoid in your LOR for Masters:

Some of the common mistakes to avoid in LORs for masters applications are as follows:

1. Choosing the Wrong Recommender

Before you think about what qualities to discuss/highlight in your letter of recommendation for Masters, you must analyse and establish who you will choose as your recommenders. Someone who understands your skills and can persuasively convey them to the admissions committee must be your recommender. The gravest error a candidate can make when writing a letter of recommendation is to select a recommender who hardly knows you. The college principal, who may have only witnessed you engage in a few activities at the university, may not be the best person to recommend you than an assistant professor who has even taught you one subject during your term.

For more details, read How to Choose Your Recommenders.

2. Not Giving Enough Time to the Recommender

Rushing to a professor or employer at the last minute is one of the most common mistakes in LOR planning. Ask for your recommenders well in advance of the deadline for your application, and follow up with them regularly. You should allow a minimum of one month for your recommenders. It would be unjust to your application if you approached them at the last minute and forced them to write your recommendation letter without allowing them adequate time to consider and assess your candidature. Your recommendation would undoubtedly suffer from your last-minute rush, making it more difficult for you to get into the university of your choice.

3. Not validating your candidature with examples

One of the biggest mistakes in LOR writing is being overly generic. A recommender who continuously compliments the applicant in the recommendation letter is either sincerely rushed for time or does not understand the meaning of a LOR. Regardless, the recommender can still not provide a compelling LOR, negating the entire purpose. Every time a recommender compliments the applicant in the letter, it must be supported by a specific instance or illustration. If the recommender states, for instance, ‘ABC is one of the select students who has demonstrated a penchant for application of theoretical concepts taught in the class’. It isn't very helpful now, as this one is so generic. A recommender should ideally provide evidence to support this claim, such as a practical example of a theoretical concept you applied in the lab or class. The recommender should also mention the result of the experiment and what about the instance that impressed them.

For more, read how to prepare an impressive LOR. You can also review some LOR samples for Masters to understand how to start drafting yours.

More than anything, what a candidate must ensure is a genuine letter of recommendation. Never agree to provide your recommender with a standard format. Let your recommender share his/ her perspective about your personality.

4. Missing out on your areas of improvement

A LOR that contains excessive favourable verbiage can leave the Admission Committee feeling unsure and uneasy. Nobody stops you from using positive words for your candidature in your LOR format or Masters, but knowing the limit is the key. Moreover, it does not make a favourable impression on the Committee to highlight solely your positive personality features while leaving out your negative ones. Make sure to mention at least one of your weaknesses in the letter of recommendation, and please refrain from using the overused platitude that ‘ABC, being a perfectionist, ends up pressuring himself as well as his team members’

5. Using a Cold Dry Tone While Writing the LOR

Although a LOR for Masters is a formal document, the recommender should maintain a level of warmth while preparing it. Using the applicant’s full name at the start of the LOR, followed by addressing them by their first name in the rest of the draft, instead of ‘the applicant’, is always a good idea.

6. Too Short or Too Long LORs

Another common mistake to avoid in a LOR is that it should be of the perfect word limit. It should neither be too long nor too short. In cases where LOR is too short, it may tend to miss out on specific details and may not accurately talk about the applicants. On the other hand, in case it is too long, it might look exaggerated or may not b appropriate with specific or key details essential for LOR. 

Essential Pointers for Drafting Your LORs

Now, let’s discuss some points to remember while drafting your LOR:

• Highlighting Specific Accomplishments: It is important to draw attention to certain experiences and accomplishments when writing a letter of recommendation for Masters. Along with a comprehensive summary of the candidate’s accomplishments, a well-written LOR for MS should also include examples and context. As a result, the letter is more persuasive and specifically targeted to the candidate's qualifications.
• Building on Professional Relationships: Choosing a recommender who is well-connected to the candidate professionally can significantly impact. The abilities and potential of the candidate can be better understood with a comprehensive and customized LOR for Masters that includes particular examples of mentorship or collaboration.
• Addressing the Program’s Requirements: It is important to understand the requirements and expectations of the particular program before writing an LOR. It is possible to greatly improve the candidate’s application by tailoring the LOR samples for MS to the program’s values and targeted areas. Such thoroughness demonstrates the recommender’s dedication to advancing the candidate’s academic career.
• Highlighting Relevant Experiences and Skills: A Master’s program recommendation letter should highlight the candidate’s pertinent experiences and talents that complement the coursework. In-depth LOR samples for MS degree candidates frequently emphasize how their experience qualifies them for their desired higher education.

A well-crafted Letter of Recommendation (LOR) can significantly enhance your university application. By avoiding common mistakes in LOR and following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can create a compelling and persuasive LOR that showcases your strengths and potential. Remember to choose a knowledgeable recommender, provide them with ample time, and ensure the letter is tailored to the specific program you are applying to. A strong LOR and your other application materials can help you stand out and increase your chances of admission.