Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Format from Faculty
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Before we begin, we must know that the LOR full form is a Letter of Recommendation. This application document that is written in a seamless flow consists of 400-500 words and is divided into 4 to 5 paragraphs. LOR format from faculty consists of an introductory paragraph, 2-3 body paragraphs and a conclusion. The format for an academic or professional LOR remains the same but the content gets different. Some universities demand a question-and-answer LOR format. The chances of the same getting asked for are rare. If asked, it’s generally for business schools for MBA courses.
- LOR Format
- Do’s and Don’ts of LOR Writing
- LOR Timeline Planner-
- Who Should You Ask for a Letter of Recommendation?
LOR Format
LOR from professor format with a proper explanation of what is required in each paragraph is given hereunder.
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Introduction- Introduction section always has details of the recommender and the applicant. It introduces the recommender by including his/her designation, department and institution name. The introduction discusses the relationship between the applicant and the recommender. Details on how they know each other and the duration of their association can be optional. If the recommender is your professor/teacher at college, mention the subject he/she taught or teaches you and in which semesters.
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Body Paragraph 1- In this paragraph person writing recommendation should mention why the student should be selected in the college. They should give an example of a time when they personally saw this quality in the student. For example if the student did well in a project the writer should mention when and how it happened and what went well.
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Body Paragraph 2- In this part of the LOR from faculty, the recommending faculty needs to mention another quality or aptitude of the student such as sincerity or dedication toward academics. Provide a notable example in the classroom or on the university campus where the recommender observed the quality of the applicant. It can be anything within an academic environment noticed by the recommender.
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Body Paragraph 3- Explain yet another quality of the applicant such as communication or management skills with an impactful and impressive example to support the statements of recommender. The process remains the same for all three body paragraphs of the LOR format.
Conclusion- In the concluding paragraph, provide an outline of the applicant’s impressive qualities, focusing on the strengths and recommend the applicant for the course at the concerned university. End the LOR with basic information about the recommender like his/her full name, designation, department, institution name, location, email ID and contact number.
Do’s and Don’ts of LOR Writing
To make your LOR effective and credible, follow this etiquette table-
| ✅ Do This |
❌ Don’t Do This |
|---|---|
| Use specific examples that highlight the student’s achievements and qualities |
Use generic phrases like “hardworking and sincere” without proof |
| Mention the context (project, assignment, event) where you observed the student’s skills |
Mention traits without describing how they were demonstrated |
| Keep the tone professional yet supportive |
Use casual, vague, or exaggerated language |
| Stick to the recommended structure and word count (400–500 words) |
Submit overly lengthy or short, incomplete letters |
| Match the recommender’s expertise with the student’s field of application |
Ask for a LOR from someone who has had limited interaction with you |
Also, refer to some lor samples from professor to get a clearer idea of how and what to include. Learn to write LORs with the help of videos by university experts.
Every detail of the LOR for student from professor, as mentioned in the format, is equally significant. Hence, remember all the points while drafting the letter. The LOR full form is a Letter of Recommendation; thus, as the name suggests, this is a letter to the Admissions Committee recommending the applicant by highlighting his/her remarkable qualities with substantial proof. Also, make sure that all three LORs are unique in terms of content, for example, the anecdote given to base the claim of the recommender in one LOR cannot be used in any other LOR. Adhere to the format and the points made in this article to make your LOR valuable.
LOR Timeline Planner-
Here is a simple timeline to follow to establish ideal LOR prep schedules-
| Deadline |
What to do? |
|---|---|
| 3 months before deadline |
Shortlist recommenders |
| 2 months before |
Share resume and goals |
| 6 weeks before |
Follow up |
| 2 weeks before |
Final review |
Who Should You Ask for a Letter of Recommendation?
Your LOR is only as strong as the person writing it. LOR samples from professor should be as strong as your application. Here is who qualifies as a strong recommender-
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
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Professors/teachers who taught you core or relevant subjects.
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Faculty you’ve done research or projects
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Department heads or senior lecturers who know your work ethic and growth.
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Avoid asking distant contacts or professors who don’t remember you clearly.
Ensure the recommender can recall specific examples about your academic pathway. If they seem unsure or too busy, it is okay to ask someone else.
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That's perfectly okay—it happens more than you would think. Professors are generally quite busy and may appreciate if you present them with a structure or a rough draft to enable them. You can even present this LOR format article or even give them bullet points about your work to them—like your resume, transcript, projects, and accomplishments. Some institutions also allow you to write the LOR yourself for the recommender to sign and authenticate, although we would caution using that option with care. It is about communicating respectfully with the professor and streamlining the process for them without compromising on authenticity.
Yes, the LOR must be formal but truthful, and must always be submitted in the third person. Example: "I taught Akshay during his third-year AI course, and was impressed with his research interest and discussion leadership potential." Avoid speaking in stiff third-person tone and leaping to blunt second-person declarations such as "you did well in my class." It's also significant that the LOR is personal and customized, not robotic or pasted. Incorporating real-life anecdotes, project names, or attributes makes it more likely to be remembered. Make your recommender write naturally but with clarity and organization.
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It's more effective not to. Every LOR you submit should have something new to say about what you're like. If all three LORs talk about the same project or asset, it sounds redundant and insincere. Instead, combine the material—e.g., one professor can discuss your research abilities, one your participation in class or intellectual growth, and one your leadership or teamwork ability. If you give all of your recommenders the same information, you can have templated LORs. Give each recommender different strengths or anecdotes so that you get a balanced picture.