What is an LOR?
A letter of Recommendation is referred to as LOR. LOR is provided by people who assessed the student in a professional setting to vouch for and support the candidate's applications. A LOR gives the university's admissions office reviews of the student's abilities, academic records, talents, certificates, etc.
Universities typically request two to three letters of recommendation from applicants for undergraduate programs. For writing a letter of reference for undergraduate admission, the candidate should select someone who has taught her.
What are the types of LOR?
Based on the type of the person who recommended them, the LORs are roughly divided into two categories:
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Academic Letter of Recommendation:
This is given by a tutor or professor from the last college the student attended. It shows their accomplishments and academic excellence. Typically, universities ask applicants to provide two to three such letters.
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Professional Recommendation Letter:
A professional Letter of Recommendation based on their professional expertise is typically required by foreign MBA colleges. The typical person to write this letter is the applicant's immediate supervisor. It differs from an academic letter of recommendation in that it emphasizes the applicant's capacity for flexibility in team tasks, as well as his leadership, problem-solving, and subject-matter competence.
Also read : Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for UK: Guidelines for UG & PG Courses, Writing Tips & Requirements
Why Proper Student Information is required for LOR?
When obtaining a letter of recommendation, students must submit correct and full information since it enables the writer to create a more thorough and personalized letter that appropriately portrays the student's skills, experiences, and qualities.
The details offered may consist of:
- A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) might provide the writer with a summary of the student's experiences and accomplishments.
- The personal statement or cover letter can offer insight into the student's objectives and aspirations, which can help craft a letter that is more tailored to the student's requirements.
- If a student is applying for a particular program or scholarship, it can be useful to outline the specifications and criteria the selection committee will be searching for.
- Giving the writer clear questions or prompts will help him or her focus on the information that is most crucial and pertinent to the letter's subject.
The writer will be better able to write a compelling and persuasive letter supporting the student's application if they have comprehensive and enough information to work with.
Also read : Statement of Purpose | How to Write | Format
Common Mistakes to avoid While writing an LOR
Composing a generalized letter | The letter should be detailed, address the candidate being recommended particularly, and highlight their special skills and background. |
Excessively critical | A letter of reference should be encouraging and should highlight the applicant's merits. |
Including irrelevant information | Be sure to only include details that are pertinent to the person's qualifications and experiences. |
Error in proofreading | Spend the time to carefully check and revise the letter because it will be more effective if it is well-written and free of errors. |
Writing a letter that is critical or neutral | It is preferable to deny the demand to write a letter if you are unable to do so in a good way. A letter that is unpleasant or neutral can hurt you more than help. |
Delaying | As this demonstrates your professionalism and regard for the procedure, be sure to turn in the letter by the deadline. |
Inadequately describing something | Ensure that you present sufficient justification for your assertions and instances to establish a thorough picture of the person. |
Also read : Study Abroad Scholarships
Ideal Format and Key Features of an UG Course LOR
Introduction | The writer must introduce oneself briefly, including your relationship with the student, how long you've known him/her, and any positions or credentials you may have. |
Background information | Describe the student's background, including any accomplishments in school, relevant experiences, and any information that shows they are a good fit for the course. |
Personal qualities | Emphasize the personal traits, such as desire, initiative, leadership potential, work ethic, and originality, that make the student an excellent candidate for the course. |
Relevant skills & abilities | Talk about the student's special skills and qualities that will be valuable in the class, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving ability. |
Examples | Give concrete instances and anecdotes that showcase the student's skills, such as a moment when they showed initiative, leadership, or project excellence. |
Conclusion | Your conclusion should be compelling and underline the student's suitability for the course as well as your faith in their capacity to do well. |
Signature and contact information | Sign off on the letter with your name, title, and affiliation in addition to your contact information. |
The letter should also be professionally written, error-free, and include these important components. Additionally, it must be customized to the particular program and organization the applicant is applying to, emphasizing how their backgrounds and skills make them a good fit for the course.
Here is an example of a recommendation letter for a course at the undergraduate level:
Dear Admissions Committee,
This letter is a recommendation for [Student's Name] to be accepted into the [Undergraduate Course] program at [University Name]. I've had the pleasure of getting to know [Student's Name] for [number of years] and have been consistently moved by their commitment to and enthusiasm for [subject of study].
The academic background of [Student's Name] has always been solid, as evidenced by the consistently good grades in their schoolwork and active participation in class discussions. Along with their academic success, [Student's Name] has participated in several extracurricular activities that have aided in the development of vital abilities and traits including leadership, teamwork, and communication.
[Example or anecdote relating to student's abilities and attributes] is one instance in particular that comes to mind. This experience demonstrates the [skill or attribute displayed in the example] of [Student's Name].
I think [Student's Name] would be a beneficial addition to [University Name's] [Undergraduate Course] program. They are well-suited for the demands of the program because of their solid academic backgrounds, relevant experiences, and positive personality traits. I have faith that [Student's Name] will flourish in this setting and take advantage of the opportunities the program provides.
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any further questions or want to go over the Student's Name and credentials in more depth.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Title and Affiliation] [Contact Information]
-------End of Sample--------
Try to give a complete sketch of the student and the context of their accomplishments. Support your conclusions with facts and anecdotes whenever possible. The LOR is a crucial application document that must be treated seriously. You must therefore establish a solid rapport with your professor or employer so that they can attest to your commitment and diligence.
Also read : Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for MS Courses