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How to Write a Winning Letter of Recommendation

 

A letter of recommendation is a crucial document that must be submitted as part of the admissions process. A letter of recommendation from the right person might go a long way in assisting you in gaining admission to your desired program. A letter of recommendation highlights all of your accomplishments, skills, and professional experience, and is prepared by professors or employers who have observed and know you in action and what you’re capable of. An applicant is frequently required to produce two letters of recommendation; however, it is recommended that the applicant have at least three letters of recommendation on hand to be safe. Your professor, with whom you completed your schooling or projects, or a professor with whom you worked on a research project, is the ideal individual to write your LOR. They should be able to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and what qualifications you have. It’s vital to highlight that you shouldn’t ask relatives or friends to write a letter of reference because they aren’t as familiar with your work as your professor or employer are, and their opinions can be biased about the applicant’s qualities and skills. There are different types of LOR like Academic LOR and Professional LOR.

 

Academic LOR

Academic LOR

An Academic LOR is a letter of recommendation from your academic institution’s professors. If you’re applying for an undergraduate course, this recommendation letter can come from teachers, school counsellors, or principals; if you’re going for a master’s degree, it can come from professors, deans, or counsellors.

 

Professional LOR

Professional LOR

When applying for Post-Graduation courses, most universities throughout the world now require candidates to have some prior work experience. Universities require candidates to submit a Letter of Recommendation from a superior, team leader, or manager along with their resume. The professional LOR differs from the academic LOR in that it contain information about the candidate’s talents, abilities, knowledge, and so on.

Format of LOR

Format of LOR

To Whom It May Concern should be the first line of the letter of recommendation.

The First Paragraph

The first paragraph should provide information on the recommender’s credentials, such as their name, title, firm name, relationship with the candidate, and how long they have known each other, among other things.

The Second Paragraph

This paragraph should describe the candidate’s abilities and capabilities, as well as one of the student’s most crucial attributes, such as research aptitude, academic competence, leadership, teamwork, and organisational skills. Ability to think outside the box, initiative, work ethic, and maturity are all desirable qualities.

The Third Paragraph

This paragraph informs the admissions committee about the candidate’s other attributes. These characteristics should be distinct from those indicated in the previous paragraph. It aids the admissions committee in gaining a general understanding of the individual, making the decision-making process much easier.

The Fourth Paragraph

The recommender should discuss the candidate’s extracurricular activities and accomplishments in this paragraph. It aids in highlighting vital attributes such as collaboration, passion, and excitement, among others.

The Fifth Paragraph

This is the letter’s conclusion section, and it should highlight the letter’s most important details.

Salutations

 

Tips for Writing a Good LOR

Tips for Writing a Good LOR

Letters of recommendation are extremely crucial and play a significant part in determining whether or not an applicant is chosen. Here are a few pointers to remember while drafting a Letter of Recommendation.

  • An introduction to the recommender and their relationship with the applicant.
  • Academic and professional achievements relevant to the path of the candidate.
  • Experience of the applicant and an example of how he or she managed pressure in a difficult scenario.
  • Any volunteer activity that the candidate has done.
  • Because SOP is a totally different document than LOR, a good LOR should demonstrate other points of view and elements of your personality that aren’t covered in your CV or SOP. As a result, the LOR comes from someone who is more familiar with you, has witnessed the quality of your work, and is pleased with your efforts and accomplishments.
  • The LOR should be printed on the institution’s or company’s official letterhead.
  • When providing a professional LOR, make sure the recommender is still employed by the same company of which the letterhead is.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Ques 1. Can the letter of recommendation be handwritten?

No, the letter of recommendation should not be handwritten.

Ques 2. How long should a Letter of Recommendation should be?

The Letter of Recommendation should be between 500-600
words.

Ques 3. How many types of LOR are there?

There are 2 types of LOR:

  • Academic Letter Of Recommendation
  • Professional Letter Of Recommendation

Ques 4. How many LORs are asked by the University?

Generally, the universities ask for 2-3 LORs.

Ques 5.How much time should one take to write a perfect LOR?

Around 2-3 weeks time is enough for writing an error free Letter
of Recommendation.

 

Find Your Dream University

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