Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for Masters (MS) in CS

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a crucial part of your application. The universities abroad require the applicants to submit an LOR as a part of the application process. When you are applying for a Master’s degree in Computer Science, you may be asked to submit an academic and/or professional LOR for MS in Computer Science.

The LOR for Masters in Computer Science, which is in sync with the information included in the statement of purpose, can definitely help you outshine other applicants. Hence, it is said to be one of the deciding factors for acceptance into a university. Admission committees (Ad Coms) have a holistic approach while reviewing your profile. Read about the five things the admissions committee looks for in an applicant to know more.

Writing a Letter of Recommendation for MS in Computer Science is a crucial step in the application process. A well-crafted sample letter of recommendation for MS in Computer Science not only highlights the applicant's academic capabilities and technical skills but also showcases their potential for success in graduate studies.

To effectively write an LOR, it is essential to understand the various types of recommendations—academic, professional, research, personal, and how each serves to present a different view of the candidate. While writing the LOR for MS in CS, one should support their arguments with prominent examples. The examples should highlight the student's strong candidature for the course. The word limit for LOR for MS in CS will be around 400-500 words. 

In this article, we will have a look into a sample LOR for MS in CS, along with the format, and the important points to cover while preparing an LOR for a Masters in Computer Science.

How to Choose Between Multiple Recommenders

If you have several potential recommenders, select individuals who:

• Have worked closely with you on technical or academic projects
• Can provide specific, authentic insights into your abilities
• Are familiar with your academic and professional growth
• Quality of interaction matters more than seniority. Choose those who know you best in a CS context.

What to Share with Your Recommender

To help them write a personalized and compelling academic LOR sample for MS in CS, provide:

• Your resume
• A list of relevant projects or research work
• A copy of your SOP
• A short note on programs you're applying to

This helps ensure that the LOR sample for MS in CS aligns with your overall application strategy.

How to Guide Without Overstepping

You can gently suggest topics or examples you’d like mentioned without being too controlling.

For example:

“You may want to reference the AI project we worked on.”

“Highlighting my team leadership during the capstone project would really help.”

• Keep suggestions respectful—trust your recommender’s voice.
• Avoiding Excessive Praise

Encourage your recommenders to avoid clichés or overstatement. Specific examples carry more weight than generic compliments. A credible sample LOR for MS in CS blends enthusiasm with balanced, evidence-based praise.

Points to Highlight in LORs

Depending upon the programme and course, you should highlight various key points of your profile. Apart from this, the content and qualities highlighted in your LOR also depend on the type of LOR. For example: an academic LOR by a professor or a professional LOR by the employer. Thus, depending on this, your LOR should cover these major points:

Who Should Write Your LOR?

For an MS in Computer Science, the ideal recommenders are:

• College professors who taught you CS-related subjects
• Final-year project guides or thesis supervisors
• Internship mentors or managers (especially from tech companies)
• Research supervisors if you’ve worked in a lab or on a paper

What Should a Good LOR Include?

A strong LOR for MS in Computer Science usually includes:

• Introduction: Who the recommender is, their position, and how they know the applicant
• Academic/Technical Skills: Courses taken, programming skills, analytical ability, problem-solving skills
• Project/Research Work: Involvement in academic or technical projects, research aptitude, innovation
• Soft Skills: Teamwork, leadership, communication, curiosity, work ethic
• Conclusion: A strong endorsement for admission and the recommender’s confidence in the applicant’s future success

LOR Format for Masters in Computer Science

Like any other LOR, there is a format which needs to be followed while crafting an impressive LOR for Masters in Computer Science. Please follow the given format to prepare an LOR for the person you are recommending:

• Introduction: You need to begin the LOR on a positive note, stating your designation, your relation with the candidate, number of months/years of association, and your opinion of the candidate that has motivated you to write this recommendation. It is advisable to compare the student with his/her peers, to showcase their skill level.
• Body Paragraphs: There should be around 3-4 body paragraphs, which are focused on specific traits of the candidate. Every paragraph should mention about one particular trait with a proper justification through examples or instances witnessed by the recommender. For MS in Computer Science, the preferable traits include research skills, analytical ability, logical thinking, problem solving capability, leadership ability, academic prowess, team work and such like. Please ensure that every recommender mention different traits so that information is not repeated.
• Conclusion: The concluding paragraph is equally important as it gives an opportunity to summarize the information, suggesting why the candidate is worthy of admission to the MS in CS program. A proper statement for recommending the student, along with best wishes for his future can be a great ending to the LOR.
• Closing Details: The signatory close is needed for the LOR. Include details such as name of the recommender, designation, department, name of institution/organization, its location, and the recommender’s contact number and email ID.

Please note that the LOR samples for MS in CS given below are just for reference; applicants are advised not to copy the content. Copying would not convey the unique aspects of your profile and can cause plagiarism issues as well.

Academic Sample LOR for MS in CS (Computer Science)

“In my current capacity as XXXX, at the Department of XXXX, in XXXX University, City, I am writing to you to support the candidature of ABC for the Masters in Computer Science program at your reputed institution. It has been more than three years that I have known this applicant, and taught him the subject/s ____________ and _______________, during his Bachelor’s course. I still clearly remember him/her for his/her innovative approach and ideas that he/she showcased as a student.

While teaching XXXXX subject in the XXXX semester, I interacted with him/her several times inside and outside the classroom. In class, he/she was not only a competitive student but also showed an impressive grasp of technical concepts. I observed this when …………………..

Further, I can also recall guiding him/her in his/her final year project on ‘project topic’ which was based on XXXXXXX. The concepts captured in this project proved his/her deep fascination for the field. The project work was aimed at providing a solution to …………………… It also brought forth his/her team teamwork ability and dedication into the light.

Apart from this, I observed ABC’s interest in practical learning and implementation as he/she was always enthusiastic about participating in events like………………….. Our institution’s annual day functions include events like …....… and ..............., in which he/she was an active participant. He/she was also involved in activities like ……………

In sum, I can confidently state that ABC was a step ahead of most of his/her peers when it came to experimenting with his/her learning. Thus, I strongly recommend ABC for graduate studies at your esteemed institution. Lastly, I wish him all the best for his graduate studies and professional career in future.

Yours sincerely,

Full Name of Recommender

Designation, Department

Institution’s Name, City

Contact No:

Email ID:”

Sample Professional LOR for MS in CS (Computer Science)

“As the General Manager of XXXX domain at Company Name, City, I would like to extend my support in favour of Mr ABC for the Master’s program in Computer Science at your esteemed university. I have known him for the past five years as he directly reported to me for two years during yyyy-yyyy, while working as a here. During that time, ABC’s role involved conducting ………………….... He was quick at understanding the work requirements and dealt with process areas like …………….

ABC directly interacted with clients and customers from onshore countries for gathering technical requirements and to provide them with the required solutions in a timely manner. He worked on …………………... as well. After noticing his growing improvements, leadership qualities and .............……, he was promoted from an Associate to the Analyst/Managerial position.

In his new role, he was given a team of five people. Good interpersonal skills and a curious mindset, to learn about new technologies, were his core strengths. Being a team player helped him bond with his team as well. His team was a crucial project of ..............……., which was required to be completed within a strict deadline. It was impressive to watch him take charge of the situation and deliver it on schedule. Although he faced a technical snag just moments before project submission, when …………. happened, he managed to overcome it quickly by resolving it through ……………..

Another great idea of his was to conduct one-on-one sessions with his team every month. This helped ABC to remain up to date with the requirements of the team and help those teammates who were falling back on the assigned work. He always led from the front like a true leader rather than just letting his teamwork alone. Once, I remember that he …………………

Keeping in mind all the above-mentioned qualities, I am confident that ABC would be an asset to your prestigious institution and excel in his endeavours. Hence, I strongly recommend him without any reservations. I wish him the very best for his future. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

Yours sincerely,

Full name of recommender

Designation, Department

Organization Name, City

Contact No:

Email ID:

Company website link”

A well-crafted Letter of Recommendation is important for your application to a Master's program in Computer Science. By following the structure outlined above and using the sample letters as inspiration, you can create a compelling LOR that highlights your strengths and qualifications effectively.