Who to ask for a Letter of Recommendation?

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. This document is designed to add extra weight and merit to your college application. It offers the University an opportunity to have a holistic view of your persona.

You need to understand that there may be many applicants having similar scores but the one thing that can make you stand out is your LOR. Your LOR can give you an edge over your competitors – so make the most of this opportunity to showcase the better you.

Deciding on whom to approach for your LOR is crucial. However, most students are clueless about the process of shortlisting their recommender. Here are a few pointers to help you in your selection:

• First, read your college application requirements carefully. Have they asked for recommendation letters from lecturers or teachers of a specific subject? If the answer is affirmative; then that should be your guiding factor.
• Sometimes, the best option is asking a teacher or Professor, in whose class you may have initially struggled but later excelled with your hard work and dedication. The teacher will be able to give an unbiased view and show your strengths despite your challenges.
• You should always try to choose someone who has known you for a considerable amount of time now. But don’t select a teacher from your school days – unless, of course, if you are applying for a U.G. course abroad. However, for MS aspirant students getting a LOR from their school teacher is never a good idea, as the Universities want to get an idea of your current potential. Hence the best recommenders would be the student’s academic supervisors, lecturer/professor or the immediate reporting head; if the student has prior work experience.

Lastly, it’s important to put a lot of effort into finding the right person to ask and persuading them to write a LOR. Remember that a strong Letter of Recommendation can strengthen your application immensely and help you clinch the coveted admission to a University of your choice.