What is a Letter of Recommendation (LOR)? - Tips, Format, Samples
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The Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a document that provides the admission officers with a comprehensive insight into your suitable candidature for admission into the concerned University. It aims to provide a favourable picture of your academic performance, strengths, experiences, achievements, contributions, and skills. An official person recommends the applicant for their choice of course. Get all the details about LOR in this article.
Writing or requesting a letter of recommendation to submit along with university applications abroad can be a task. But one must understand LOR's meaning and how it should be drafted, what are the best writing practices and most importantly, how to choose a recommender. We have included all these details in this article to aid students when curating their LORs. Check out the article now.
What is LOR Meaning?
LOR meaning is simple. LOR means a document or endorsement that outlines the applicant's skills, achievements, qualifications and appropriateness for admission to a particular course. This, in turn, helps admissions committees (Ad Com) thoroughly understand the applicant's admissibility to the relevant university. LOR meaning in admissions abroad, holds importance because it aims to reach the ad coms through trusted recommenders who know the applicants and can make them understand the applicant in detail. LOR also seeks to present a positive image of applicants academic standing and the recommender’s observations, experiences, accomplishments, contributions, and abilities. Qualified people write this letter to explain why applicants are a good fit and attest to their potential because they have professional experience and the authority to evaluate their academic performance.
LOR Full Form
An LOR, or a Letter of Recommendation, may hold the key to opening up new career and academic prospects for you. It is a monument to your potential and abilities written by someone who knows you well. The perfect letter of recommendation can greatly improve your application, whether you are looking for a scholarship or a higher academic program. To assist you in getting that much-needed recommendation, we examine the types of LORs and their structures and offer valuable writing tips in this article.
Types of Letter of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation can be broadly classified into two categories based on the nature of the recommender, ad each LOR meaning varies from one another; check out below:
1. Academic Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
How to get a LOR from College: An academic LOR is a letter provided by a faculty member of your current or previous educational institution. Usually, universities ask you to provide two or three LORs from your previous institution. If you are applying for undergraduate courses, these may be your teachers from your school; if you are applying for Master’s or doctoral programs, they could be your college professors or HODs. The Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Format from Faculty often varies in content and requires the professor to highlight the applicant’s accomplishments as a course student. Often, these are more relevant to MS Colleges Abroad or Bachelor’s Courses abroad.
2. Professional Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Most MBA colleges abroad have pre-defined work experience requirements. Accordingly, they request a Professional Letter of Recommendation from an immediate supervisor. The Professional Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Format from a Supervisor varies from an Academic LOR in terms of meaning and some specific content that focuses on the applicant’s ability to work within a team, the exposure to the domain as well as his/her leadership abilities, all necessary to the MBA course applied for.
Why do you need a Letter of Recommendation?
LOR Application: Any student planning to study overseas has to submit an LOR form or a letter of recommendation to the university. You will require at least two to three LORs from your college or professional background, regardless of the course (UG, MS, MBA, or PhD) or country. It is necessary to submit LORs with admission applications abroad because:
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- It helps the admission committee assess the applicant's skills, passion, commitment and potential for studying abroad.
- Also based on an LOR, applications can be upgraded with direct references about how applicants have shaped their academic journey despite challenges.
- An LOR that uses anecdotes to define the applicant's overall journey and abilities can leave a good impression on the admission committees.
- Effective LORs can act as power boosters for the admission application, given that the recommender shares his/her ideas.
UG students can obtain LORs from the school's principal, teachers, or counsellor. College instructors, internship supervisors, team leads, or managers from the organization they have worked for can write letters of recommendation for MS students. LORs for MBA candidates should only be professional, particularly if they have three years or more of experience. Recently graduated college students aspiring to get an MBA or PhD might request LORs from project supervisors, instructors, or project advisors.
How to write a Letter of Recommendation (LOR)?: Some Important Tips
LOR Certificate: Unless specified otherwise, a letter of recommendation is a 400-500-word letter discussing a candidate’s strengths and achievements. There are some things you must include in a recommendation letter, such as the nature of the association and its tenure. Apart from that, some basic formats must also be kept in mind.
- Most universities require LOR or this letter to be on the official letterhead.
- The university’s letterhead is required for an Academic LOR; the company's letterhead is needed for a professional LOR.
- In the latter instance, it is crucial to remember that the recommender’s letterhead should be associated with the company where they are employed. If the recommender has moved on to another organization, this usually poses a difficulty. Hence, the student must know how to choose the right recommender to write an exemplary LOR for them.
- An important point is that a LOR is not a repetition of an SOP. LOR differs greatly from an SOP; applicants must not mix the two documents.
- An ideal LOR is supposed to demonstrate aspects/perspectives of your personality not mentioned in your SOP or resume. Therefore, the perfect recommender knows you well, has seen the calibre of your work, and is willing to share particular examples of your exceptional work and valued contribution.
- A generic LOR is a strict no-no, as it does not offer much value to your candidature for the program you are applying. Therefore, strong examples form the core of a good LOR.
- Applicants must remember that their application is one of the thousands the admission committee reviews for each intake. Now, to make a statement, concentrate on showcasing essential attributes and achievements supported by actual experiences through LORs.
- Another crucial thing to remember is to try to make each LOR distinctive. You can only do that by including instances exclusive to that particular recommender in every LOR.
- Making an Impressive Letter of Recommendation is as important as writing a winning SOP. Remember the formats in mind and the common mistakes you should avoid in a recommendation letter. The recommendation letters for different courses need to be written accordingly.
Here are some examples to help you navigate easily:
How to Format a Letter of Recommendation?: Shiksha Guidelines
Out of all the formats and sample LORs available online, one is faced with the dilemma of choosing the right format. As previously mentioned, there are different kinds of recommendation letters depending on the course and the recommender. In addition to this, it is crucial to focus on the document’s formatting and content. Before getting on about the LOR format, let us understand the elements of an LOR Below:
Components of a Letter of Recommendation
Ideally, a few components of a recommendation letter must include:
1. Introduction:
The letter's introduction must lighten the recommender's relationship to the applicant. This part of the LOR must include the years the applicant has been known, taught, or worked under the recommender.
2. Qualifications and Skills of Recipient:
This section of the LOR is from where the actual recommendation letter takes form. Here, the recommender provides more context or specific details about the individual's qualifications, skills, accomplishments, and relevant experiences. This, in turn, helps the admission committee with a more tailored and effective elaboration that includes specific examples and anecdotes to highlight their strengths and capabilities.
3. Personal Attributes of Recipient:
The letter of recommendation for students must also include study/work ethic, integrity, communication skills, teamwork abilities, problem-solving skills and leadership qualities. Thus, another important aspect of the LOR.
4. Recommendation for the Recipient:
This is the most important aspect of an LOR for a student. Here, the recommender can include why he/she feels the student/recipient is a good fit for the program and any particular anecdotes to help Ad Coms understand why. Also, highlight skills showcased before deemed fit for the applicant's admission abroad.
5. Closing Statement:
The LOR should conclude firmly recommending the applicant. It must also show confidence in the applicant and their abilities to be admitted to a program they choose and portray that they will succeed if given the opportunity.
LOR Format
We at Shiksha offer our standards to assist students with the application process; these recommendations help students apply more quickly by providing advice on document quality and formatting. Here is a LOR format that may be useful for applicants to share with prospective recommenders. Take a look at the LOR sample format below for reference:
| Section | Purpose | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Salutation | Greet the recipient |
"To Whom It May Concern,"
|
| Paragraph 1 | Establish the writer's relationship and credibility |
Discuss how you know the candidate and your qualifications for writing the letter. Mention your experience and expertise as well.
|
| Paragraph 2 | Highlight the candidate's strengths. |
Discuss the candidate's personal or work-related strengths relevant to the recommendation. Be specific and try and provide examples.
|
| Paragraph 3 | Narrate an incident |
Share a specific story or incident that showcases the candidate's skills or qualities. This should demonstrate their potential.
|
| Closing Paragraph | Reiterate recommendation |
Summarize why you believe the candidate is a good fit for the program. Offer a strong recommendation by adding some key points from above.
|
To learn more about it, read the Shiksha Guidelines for LOR.
Sample LOR
Here is a sample LOR format for students looking at sharing LOR guidelines with their recommenders below:
This is what an ideal LOR looks like. Applicants can share this sample with their recommenders so they can write LORs similarly. Ensure that this is referred to only for reference and no content is plagiarised from this LOR or any other samples available on the net.
Vocabulary for Writing Letter of Recommendation
When you send your LOR form, you should have the following vocabulary to leave a strong impression on your admission reviewer:
| Recommended Phrases |
Recommended Adjectives |
|---|---|
| I am pleased to recommend |
Proficient |
| It has been a pleasure working with |
Organised |
| She is an innovative problem-solver |
Logical |
| He conveys his ideas clearly |
Committed |
| Has demonstrated specific strengths in |
Determined |
| Timely completion of tasks |
Optimistic |
| Meets the deadline before/on time |
Efficient |
| Remains calm under pressure |
Responsible |
| Willing to put in extra effort |
Patient |
| Will meet your expectations |
Team-Oriented |
Why are Letters of Recommendation Important?
Letters of recommendation are important and hold great significance for an applicant's admission application for the following reasons:
- It acts as a credibility backing the applicant for his/her achievements.
- The admission committee can understand more about the applicant's skills, work ethic and overall demeanour.
- The admission committee will also be able to understand the applicant's overall academic potential through the recommender's letter.
- Also, the selection panel on the admission committee will get details on how adept the applicant is with his/her skills to complete the course they are applying for.
Thus, LORs are most important for students as they are a background check for them through a trusted source. The LORs are equally important parts of the admission process for international applicants applying abroad.
5 Tips for Writing a Strong Letter of Recommendation
LOR meaning as it implies is a 'formal letter describing abilities to help Ad Coms understand the capabilities and abilities of the applicants'. Thus, to showcase this and help the Ad Coms understand how worthy the applicant is for admission to universities abroad, it is essential to follow some tips for writing a strong letter of recommendation. These essential tips are as follows:
- Do good research about the university (the applicant is applying to), the values and missions of the university and most importantly the admission trends in standardised test scores or class profiles. After understanding how the university requires its applicants to be, work your way for your SAT/ACT or GRE/GMAT and GPA scores.
- The recommender must be specific in his/her approach when writing an LOR. It should adhere to the word limit, the recommender must avoid boasting too much about the applicant, and the recommender should be able to give appropriate examples to share how the applicant is a good fit for the program. Most importantly, the recommender must understand the guidelines before sharing a recommendation.
- The language of the LOR should be very formal, and the recommender must avoid using slang or SMS language when writing one. Apart from this, in case the recommender has to submit a Word doc of the letter, it should be typed in Arial with a font size of 10-12 in black colour and not exceed one page of writing. Avoid using too much colour over the over-the-top decorations in the LOR.
- The recommender should be honest about the applicant they are recommending. Use correct information and be truthful about everything written on the LOR. Sometimes, what is written on the LOR can be cross-checked with the applicant during admission or student visa interviews.
- Finally, the LOR is about the applicant, but the recommender must not forget to share about themselves and their relationship with the applicant. This part is very important for a perfect LOR because it helps Ad Coms understand how well the recommender knows the applicant and how long the association has been with them.
Apart from the above, applicants must ensure that they share the details of a LOR with the recommender, such as word limit, page layout, requirements, and key features, as they vary per university. Also, the recommenders' emails in the applications should be shared promptly for application submission. Based on these tips, writing a strong recommendation letter is possible.
How to Request for a Letter of Recommendation?
Requesting a letter of recommendation is as important because it forms a major part of the admission application process. Applicants can request a recommendation this way:
- Requesting a recommender requires a lot of brainstorming to choose the right recommender.
- Request them politely if you can share their email ID on the recommenders portal for the application.
- If they agree, brief them on how to write a LOR and what they should include.
- Also, inform them about the deadlines and to check their mailboxes for emails from the university when they receive an invite to write one and a confirmation upon submission.
- Since applicants cannot see what their recommenders write for them, they can also request a copy from their teachers, counsellors, professors, or managers.
Almost all applications need a minimum of two to three reference letters, so you must be sure your recommenders have agreed to write your letters ahead of time. Also, do not underrate the importance of an LOR, as it is almost as important as your admission essays, statements of purpose, resume, or any other document. A letter of recommendation is a document that lends credibility to your entire resume by demonstrating what knowledgeable and experienced instructors and individuals have endorsed about you. Similarly, while choosing the right recommender, you must remember key pointers that will help you submit outstanding LORs to the admission committee.
It is essential to follow up courteously in order to guarantee prompt submission of the requested letter of recommendation. A week prior to the deadline, kindly remind them of the submission details and express gratitude for their cooperation. Offer to supply them any further information they might require as well. Assuring that all components of your application are finished on time and demonstrating your professionalism through follow-up.
A professor or academic advisor will normally write an academic LOR that highlights your abilities, performance, and future prospects in an academic environment. It draws attention to your educational background, research skills, and inquisitiveness. In contrast, a professional letter of recommendation (LOR) is composed by a manager or supervisor, and highlights your professional background, abilities, and contributions to the company. Both kinds of letters of recommendation are beneficial and offer varied viewpoints regarding your credentials.
If you are a student, your professors will be happy and willing to give you a recommendation letter for your admission to universities. However, you might get confused about which professor to ask for an LOR. In such a case, you can ask any Professor with whom you share a good rapport, or your Department Head or Project Guide. They will not need much coaxing to get a genuine LOR from. On the professional front, you can ask your Reporting Manager, Team Lead or Project Lead for an LOR, as they already know you closely. Last, but not least, it is always favourable to be in the good books of your Professors and/or Project Leads/Managers.
If your recommender is willing to write the LOR himself/herself, then you should provide them with the following data:
- Your resume (this should contain all your experience in the college/ firm). This will help him/her to remember instances easily and write accordingly.
- The name of your target university and a link to their website/department website. It is a good idea to share with them the programme and course name as well.
- Personal characteristics or core competencies that you would like them to talk about (related to the recommender)
- Specific achievements you would like them to mention or highlight (as viewed by them)
This is a common misconception, but NO, a fellow student or your colleague cannot submit and LOR form or even write a Letter of Recommendation for you. An LOR needs to be professional and devoid of any friendly or biased notions. Hence, universities even specify how many letters of recommendation they require from your professional and academic front.
The letter of recommendation should have an opening section, a body, and a closing section.
- In the first part – the introduction, the purpose of the letter should be written. The relationship between the writer and the candidate and for how long have they known each other should also be stated here.
- The next section - the body of the LOR, will contain candidate-centric information such as his/her strengths, problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities, special work targets met, and about his/her personality, in 2-3 paragraphs.
- In the closing section or conclusion, the writer will write about why he/she recommends the candidate in a crisp and clear manner.
A letter of recommendation (LOR) or LOR certificate serves the same purpose, that is, to help assessors understand the applicant's skills, character, strengths and abilities. An LOR certificate helps in getting admissions abroad, jobs, research projects and also scholarships. Thus, it is essential that applicants choose only those recommenders who know them well and those who are aptly put across the best possible picture of the applicant through their words.
An LOR forms an important part of the admission application. LOR are beneficial and can do lots for an applicant in terms of:
- Validate their achievements
- Help admission committee understand about the applicant's strenghts and personality type
- How they can be beneficial for fostering community growth at university of admission
- If the applicant has potential to take up the course abroad and do justice to it
- Also, how their achievements have shaped them as an individual based on their academics and activities at school/college
Applicants applying for admissions abroad and requiring an LOR can request them from their school or college principal, teachers or counsellors (unless specifically mentioned). Those applying for an MBA and hold some work experience can request LORs from their previous employers, managers and people in senior positions.
Hi Daksh, That would depend on which course you are applying for. For instance, is you are planning to do Masters in Data Analytics, then taking a LOR from a professor who has taught you that subject makes sense. Simillarly, for bachelors in science course, a recommendation letter from a mathematics teacher makes more sense as compared to an English teacher and it would be opposite in case you were planning to take up an English Literature course. Here is a link to help you further https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/how-to-choose-a-right-recommender-applycontent2722
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science.
To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.
Second, the university is well-known on a global scale. It has the highest graduate employability rate in Australia. This is due to the great level of education and possibilities provided by the university to its students.
Third, the university boasts a broad and vibrant culture. While learning, you will be able to pursue your hobbies and meet like-minded people. This will aid in the development of your professional chances and the formation of strong relationships that will continue long after you graduate.
Fourth, the institution provides a wide range of facilities and services to make your studies more pleasurable and productive. You will be able to locate
West Virginia is popular for a number of reasons, including: historical landmarks such as the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park & the Blennerhassett Island State Park. The place is also known for offering adventure opportunities such as rock climbing, river-rafting, base jumping, etc.
West Virginia is also gives a more affordable living setup, with average rent for a one-bed apartment being USD 881 (INR 75.2 K), as per unofficial sources.
The place was also mentioned by John Denver, in his famous 1971 song: “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
As per the official University of New Hampshire records over 13,000 students are at the univeristy out of which more than 11,500 students are at the undegraduate course level and over 2,400 students are under the graduate course level from over 52 states and 43 countries.
Students from various parts of the world choose to study at the University of New Hampshire for their highly recognised courses and global recognition.
The University of Wisconsin Madison does not require the GRE scores as an compulsary application or admission requirement for the selection purpose for each of the graduate school program. However, for some of the programme students are required to provide the GRE scores.
The students are required to submit official GRE scores electronically through ETS
On an average, the annual tuition fee required to pursue a degree course at the University of Arizona is around INR 30 L - 40 L, which can be considered expensive as a study abroad option. Students can refer to the table listed below for course specific fees requirements:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MBA/PGDM (24 courses) | INR 26 L - 45 L |
MS (64 courses) | INR 26 L - 38 L |
MIM (16 courses) | INR 26 L - 45 L |
BE / BTech (24 courses) | INR 33 L - 38 L |
BBA (16 courses) | INR 33 L - 34 L |
MEM (1 course) | INR 27 L |
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
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Hello Legally Manisha. Please check out our list of law colleges in New Zealand, here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/new-zealand/masters-of-law-colleges-cl The admission requirements for all of these colleges may vary. You are suggested to visit the official websites of these universities and che
Two to three letters of recommendation are typically required for graduate schools as part of the application process. The people who write these letters should be able to vouch for your personality, career background, and academic prowess. It is crucial to choose referees who are familiar with you and able to give precise and in-depth instances of your accomplishments and skills.