How important are Recommendation Letters (LORs)?

We all know that a LOR is essentially a document that talks about the applicant’s skills and qualities. Also, a letter of recommendation is often requested for both your job as well as your admissions. Unfortunately, the document is almost non-existent in India, leaving students absolutely confused. Moreover, most study abroad consultants also, do not emphasize the importance of LOR enough. In this article, we will try and put some perspective into this document for you.

Is a Letter of Recommendation Important?

When it is about an application for international universities or colleges, the Letter of Recommendation (LOR), is as important as any other document such as the admission essays and/or the statement of purpose (SOP). The significance of an LOR can be judged from the fact that the universities may not have an SOP or an admission essay as a requirement, but nearly every university or college abroad requires an LOR or a letter of recommendation. Hence, let us try and understand the importance of letter of recommendation for students.

Despite being such an essential document that reflects an applicant’s skills and qualities, the LOR is hardly used in India, thus leaving students absolutely confused. Moreover, most study abroad consultants make the candidates focus more on the SOP and other admission-related documents, giving very less importance to the LOR. We would request you to think otherwise. In this article, we will try and put some perspective into the importance of recommendation letters for you.

Reasons why an LOR is as important as your essay or statement of purpose

It serves as a validation of your resume and SOP for both academic and/or professional experiences. Often, universities refer to your Letters of Recommendation as a validation of the achievements you have mentioned in your resume and SOP. They also serve as proof of your positive work in an organization or your tenure at a college, as LORs are usually requested on official letterheads. (Please refer to Letter of Recommendation Format from Faculty and Letter of Recommendation Format from a Supervisor). For instance, there is a project that you have worked on which received a rather good grade during your undergraduate. It is a simple judgment that if it was that well-received, your professor would surely mention the same in his/her LOR, thus validating your words in both your resume as well as your statement of purpose. This is also one of the factors that helps you answer the all-important question of how to choose the right recommender.

Read: Learn to write LORs with the help of videos by university experts

It provides a third-person’s/external opinion about your suitability for the program: A letter of recommendation also mentions about your personality and other relevant attributes essential for a student. Mostly, universities require an Academic LOR which is a validation of your abilities as a student. It also goes on to substantiate qualities like discipline and dedication towards academics and the way you respond or interact in class. Essentially, what you include in your LOR, offers the perspective of a professor to another professor, which adds value to your candidature as a prospective student.

It adds valuable insights into your skills and abilities: A letter of recommendation can also help the recommender discuss your positive academic or professional traits, which can help you do well in the program that you have chosen. The recommender can also highlight skills and abilities you have showcased during your association with them, and provide specific instances or examples of the same. For example, skills like research acumen, problem-solving and team work, if exemplified with suitable instances, can help create a favourable impression for a master’s of science aspirant. Similarly, for MBA aspirants, recommenders can discuss their leadership, communication or crisis-management skills, with specific examples/instances to help them create a good impression about the candidate.

The document also mentions weaknesses or areas of improvement: Most professional LORs, which are form-based or in questionnaire format (with specific questions that must be answered by the recommenders), include a pertinent question. This is – the applicant’s shortcomings/ areas of improvement. Needless to say, an SOP or an Admission Essay focuses on your positives and steers clear of the negatives in your application. For instance, it would focus on the subjects you have topped in but not necessarily talk about where you faltered.

A recommender is usually advised to provide this information, to give an unbiased judgement about your candidature, making it all the more important for the applicant to be extra careful in choosing his/her recommender. However, the recommender can also mention how you showed improvement in concerned areas, making your case stronger for consideration by the admissions committee (Ad Com). Therefore, a student should understand the importance of LOR in university applications and what should be included in his/her LOR, while asking a teacher/ supervisor to write an all-important letter of recommendation.

Hence, while submitting your LORs, please be certain that all these aspects would also be considered in all honesty when deciding your admission. You must give time and effort to your LORs, be equally involved in them, as they can make all the difference.

Tips to Write an Impressive LOR

Although you many have agreed to write an LOR on behalf of your student, subordinate, co-worker or an acquaintance, the challenge lies in penning down your genuine feedback about the candidate. In the world of WhatsApp and Facebook, one may find it challenging to write a formal letter, recommending the concerned person and strengthening his application. The following tips to write LOR drafts will help you to write a convincing and crisp recommendation for your candidate:

1. Before you begin writing the recommendation, it is better to have a discussion with the candidate to know about his purpose and career goal. This will help in focusing the LOR as per the goals of the candidate.
2. You must keep in mind three to four traits which you would like to highlight in the LOR. It is better to avoid mentioning too many qualities.
3. Every trait must be backed up by an instance, improving the credibility of the LOR.
4. Keeping the letter concise will help in improving the readability of the document. A single paged letter suffices in putting across your recommendation effectively.
5. Taking a second opinion will help you in proofreading and allow you to make necessary changes, where needed.

In essence, a Letter of recommendation can be one of the best ways to highlight positive qualities, contributions, achievements and experiences of a candidate if written thoughtfully. They can also be used to showcase academic, personal or professional growth, while exemplifying specific milestones or traits that can help them excel in the program that they are applying for.