UG Students at US and Canada Talk About Writing SoP and LoRfor University Admissions

Q. Who should a student ask for a letter of recommendation?

Iqra Khan: A letter of recommendation provides the admission officer with a comprehensive understanding of the candidate. This document helps them form a favourable picture of yours based on your skills, experiences, knowledge and achievements illustrated by the recommender. Most of the students have a misconception that the designation of the recommender adds value to your case. However, in reality, the letter of recommendation holds significance only if it is written by someone who knows you well and has worked with you on some projects. Students should ideally pick someone with whom they have been closely associated for a certain amount of time.

Q. Which aspects should be highlighted in the statement of purpose?

Iqra Khan: In a statement of purpose, the students should highlight their purpose behind choosing a particular course. Apart from that, an SOP should reflect upon your academic journey, projects, assignments and internships or any interesting activity that you have done academically. Connect every point to your career goals, to show that every step you are taking is directing you towards your ultimate aim.

Further, talk about the country and university that you have chosen. What makes you want to pursue your higher education from that particular university and country? How will that help you in achieving your career goals? All these questions need to be addressed in a way that highlights your achievements.

Q. Which documents are required to apply to a foreign university?

Iqra Khan: Every university application should include a filled-in application form (usually online), school transcripts, test scores, academic CV, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters – one from a subject teacher and another one from school counsellor, passport (as ID proof), and a portfolio if you are applying for an art/design course.

Q. What was your approach to the statement of purpose and letters of recommendation during your application stage?

Vaibhav Chitkara: 

For an undergraduate application, a statement of purpose has comparatively less significance as that for a graduate application. You need to talk about your participation and achievements in academics and extracurricular activities. Focus on the clubs that you joined, volunteering experience along with what you achieved in studies. Talk about your goals, your motivation, and discuss them in relevance to the recent activities that you have done. Essentially, you need to elaborate on what your academic interests are, because, in the end, they are looking to get an idea about why you want to come to their country, and specifically that university.

For letter of recommendation, you do not need to worry about them as students are not supposed to write those. You need to get in touch with your teacher who knows what you have done academically and otherwise. S/he should be a good judge of your character and should be able to highlight your positive attributes in the letter of recommendation.

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

About the Expert Panel

Iqra Khan

Iqra is a student admissions counsellor at Shiksha.com with 8+ years of experience in study abroad counselling and has worked with students across UG and PG for all top study destinations

Milap Dadlani

Milap is currently in his 4th year at Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing at Thompson Rivers University, Canada

Vaibhav Chitkara

Vaibhav is the International Student Ambassador and Diversity Scholar Intern at the University Of Kentucky, USA

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