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Meridean Overseas
Updated On 15 March 2024 & Read Time 15 minutes
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Students who prefer to study abroad need to submit a letter of recommendation. Many students start to worry about what this means on the university’s requirement list and how they get it. This blog will help students understand the LOR and its importance.
A LOR, or its full form Letter of Recommendation, is a type of asserting letter that students need to get from their previous education or work organisation if applicable. The letter explains the student’s eligibility for the course and studying abroad.
Table of Contents
The LOR helps students gain admission to foreign universities. Students who want to study overseas can ask their college or university for a strong Letter of Recommendation.
Generally, the LOR is written by the university or organisation where the student has worked or studied. The student can request that the university or organisation provide him/her with an LOR to get admission to a foreign university. The Letter of Recommendation explains the student's character, qualifications, and uniqueness. It also provides sufficient justification for applying for a course at a foreign university.
Now, you understand What a Letter of Recommendation is. But do you know why it is required?
A letter of recommendation is required for a candidate to apply for a course, receive a scholarship, or hold a job position. Your LOR includes all the necessary details to show your ability to take the course. It is created by someone who knows you well and has witnessed your performance.
Let’s check some tips for recommender to create good LOR –
Be careful to express your need for a letter of recommendation clearly and concisely.
Provide them with thorough details of the course you intend to enrol in or the position you wish to apply for.
You can also share their advice on how to present a positive image of oneself.
The person creating your recommendation letter is undoubtedly an expert in their field, so don't be afraid to ask questions to learn more about what you should do to advance your career.
Also, Read: What is CAS Letter for UK?
The Letter of Recommendation format varies from university to university. Some universities only ask for the previous educational organisation’s LOR, and some demand the last working organisation’s LOR if applicable. Students must check what kind of LOR is required by their university. Generally, the format for both (previous education or last workplace) the Letter of Recommendation format must contain the following points:
Date
Recipient of the university: write the admission committee name or to whomsoever it may concern
University name: where the student is applying
University Address: where the target university is located
Salutation: Convey it by taking the name of the recipient if possible (e.g. Dear Stefan Salvatore)
Self-introduction: initiate your LOR by introducing yourselves and your relationship with the student.
Main Body: Write about why you recommend the student for a particular course at a specific university. Provide some examples of the student’s skills and character. Also, mention if the student has achieved some position in the College or University. Write about the skills you think a candidate must possess while studying this course.
Conclusion: Mention why you suggest him/her in comparison to other students
Contact information: Include your correct mail address and phone number. This will help the recipient contact you and provide him with accurate insights.
Signature & Designation
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Below, you can check how to write a Letter of Recommendation for a university, employee, or internship.
Determine the purpose of the recommendation letter, such as for a job application, internship, or educational program.
Tailor the content to highlight relevant skills and experiences based on the recipient's interests or requirements.
If necessary, seek additional information from the individual seeking the recommendation or opt for more general examples.
Reflect on your working relationship or experiences with the person seeking the recommendation.
Recall specific projects or tasks they were involved in under your supervision.
Identify key qualities, achievements, and areas of expertise that you can highlight.
Think about any notable attributes or knowledge that make the individual stand out.
Employ a structured template to initiate the letter-writing process.
Customise the template to suit the specific circumstances and relationship with the individual.
Modify the template as needed to accommodate various scenarios, such as recommending a former employee or student.
Expand upon the template by providing additional context and examples for each point mentioned.
Infuse your personal voice and tone into the letter to make it more genuine and impactful.
Ensure honesty and authenticity by refraining from embellishing or exaggerating the individual's abilities.
By following this process, you can effectively compose a personalised and compelling letter of recommendation that accurately portrays the strengths and qualifications of the individual in question.
Also, Read: Best Ways to Write SOP for Masters in Computer Science
The person who writes a Letter of Recommendation needs to know everything about the student. He/she also should know where the student is going to put this LOR. The person writing a LOR must keep in mind some tips to write it powerfully. These tips are as follows -
Research about the LOR’s usage by the students
Before writing a Letter of Recommendation, one must know where the student is applying. The LOR format becomes more specific if the student is applying to foreign universities. Hence, the teacher needs to explain the student's academic background. If the student requires the LOR for any foreign job opportunity, then it should contain the educational qualifications and skills that make the student a good fit for that job. So, the person who writes a LOR must ask the student to make it authentic.
Provide specific info about the student
Firstly, the professor or teacher who writes it should know the LOR format and information about the student. The person can use examples to show a student’s particular skills and capabilities. He/she should mention the student's specific skills or academic skills. This increases the chances of the student getting selected.
Keep the tone positive
The tone of the LOR says everything about the student. The person writing the LOR should check whether the tone is positive or negative. An optimistic tone confirms that the student is a strong contender for that course or job. A negative tone provides some doubt regarding the student's capabilities. The person writing a LOR (Letter of Recommendation) can compare the student with others to prove that he/she is the best competitor.
Short and formal
Many teachers or professors write lengthy LORs that do not grab the recipient's attention. It is always better to write a short and formal letter of recommendation. The LOR should be a page or two long. It should fulfil the recipient's purpose and concisely provide important information about the student.
Follow the submission guidelines
It is crucial to check the deadline for submitting the Letter of Recommendation. The student should submit the LOR on time with the other documents. This helps the students easily clear their application to the university and allows them to develop a solid impression, increasing their chances of selection.
When drafting a letter of recommendation for someone, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Determine what to highlight and say after making an effort to comprehend the course or position the applicant is seeking.
Highlight the candidate's outstanding attributes that make them a good fit for the graduate program or career post.
Include information regarding the candidate's capacity to assume responsibility and achieve deadlines.
Make sure you don't overstate the facts when doing any of this.
Before you endorse the candidate, make sure to introduce yourself. This will enhance the letter's worth.
The purpose of this letter is to increase the candidate's prospects of being hired or accepted into a graduate or research program. When composing the recommendation letter, have this in mind.
Refrain from saying anything unfavourable about the applicant. You can directly let them know if you believe they need to improve.
Also, Read: Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Below, we have provided you with the Letter of Recommendation template (LOR template) that you can consider when creating an LOR.
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[Your Name or Letterhead of the Company] [Phone Number] · [Email Address] · [Mailing Address]
[Date] [Name of Recipient] [Organisation Recipient] [Mailed to recipient address]
Dear Mr., Mrs., or Miss./To whomsoever it may concern, [Last Name]
With great pleasure, I offer [Applicant Name] my highest recommendation for [Position] at [Organisation].
I work at [Your Organisation] as [Your Name], [Your Position]. For [Length of Time/Capacity], I had the pleasure of working with [Applicant Name], during which [Explain how you worked together].
[Applicant Name] is one of the [Specific Superlative] people I've worked with out of all the [Type of People].
[Applicant Name] demonstrated to be [Adjective, Adjective, and Adjective] during our time together.
His/her/their [Specific Subject] knowledge was a significant factor in [Specific Achievement].
[Include a Personal Narrative or Anecdote to Support a Qualification or Skill]
I have no doubts that [Applicant Name] would be a fantastic match for [Organisation]. He/she/they will be an asset to your company as a [Skill or Trait] and [Skill or Trait].
Please get in touch with me at [Phone Number] or [Email Address] if you have any inquiries or would like me to go into more detail about the skills and accomplishments of [Applicant Name].
Regards, [Name] [Your Name] |
Below, you will find a sample Letter of Recommendation to give you an idea of what an LOR looks like.
Check out this Letter of Recommendation sample (LOR Sample) for your reference.
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University of India India University Campus, Delhi, India, 375846
15 March 2024 Admission Committee/ to whomsoever it may concern Foreign University’s name Foreign University’s address
Dear Admission Committee,
I feel overwhelmed to recommend my student, Miss XYZ, for admission to your prestigious university. My name is Dr ABC, and I am a Professor of course at the University of India. I have been his/her course professor for three years and have known XYZ for his/her excellent capabilities.
Among all the students I have worked with, she was a brilliant and bright student in my class. She is a deserving student of the university. She is also good at managing the team and was the head of the cultural activity department. Through his/her capabilities, she became a good leader with excellent academic scores. She also simultaneously sets an example for the other students by managing his/her studies and cultural activities well together.
Being a professor of XYZ and knowing his/her skills and capacities, I highly recommend him/her to Abroad Universities. She is a diligent and hardworking student who will make your university proud like us. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
Thanks & regards Professor ABC HOD, of course, University of India Email ID: professorabc@uniofindia.in Contact: +91-012-345-6789 |
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Subject: Strong Recommendation for Sharvi Malhotra Dear Mr Zaid,
I am delighted to endorse Sharvi Malhotra enthusiastically. During her tenure as a Senior Sales Manager at Amazon, reporting directly to me as VP of Sales, Sharvi consistently demonstrated exceptional reliability, resourcefulness, and leadership prowess.
One of Sharvi’s remarkable achievements was her adept establishment of a highly effective sales team from the ground up. Under her guidance, the team consistently surpassed our annual targets for closed deals over three consecutive years. Additionally, Sharvi spearheaded impactful customer research initiatives, leading to invaluable insights and strategic recommendations that significantly enhanced our product positioning strategies.
Sharvi's leadership abilities and adept problem-solving skills were evident in her proactive approach to team motivation and conflict resolution. She ingeniously devised engaging competitions within the team, fostering a positive team dynamic and providing coaching opportunities for less experienced colleagues. Moreover, Sharvi adeptly mediated a significant conflict between the sales and product departments, successfully bridging the gap and aligning our efforts with customer demands.
Working alongside Sharvi was a pleasure; her collaborative spirit and unwaveringly positive attitude were truly commendable. Given her outstanding performance and character, I wholeheartedly recommend Sharvi for any role or opportunity she pursues. I am confident that she will continue to excel and positively impact any team or organisation fortunate enough to have her on board.
If you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me at +10000000.
Warm regards, Sarah Potter VP of Sales, Acme Inc. |
When your university demands a letter of recommendation during application, you must submit it to complete your application. For this, you should ask your university professor or employer for a letter of recommendation (LOR). They create LOR for you that you can submit during your application or sometimes during your education or career.
In conclusion, a letter of Recommendation (LOR) is an important document to submit to your chosen university abroad if needed. Above, we have covered the essential details of LOR. By reading the blog, you know what a letter of recommendation is and how to write it effectively. Moreover, you can refer to the given samples or follow the correct template provided in this blog.
We hope this blog offered adequate insights about the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and how to create one. If you would like to get a deeper insight into LOR or need help creating one, we encourage you to speak with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad. Get help with the application process, SOPs, and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling, or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.
1. What is a Letter of Recommendation?
Ans. A Letter of Recommendation is a reference that assesses a student's skills, accomplishments, character, and potential and is prepared by a mentor, employer, teacher, or counsellor.
2. Can I compose a letter of recommendation (LOR) on my own?
Ans. You can write a self-recommendation and have it approved or signed later if you need a Letter of Recommendation quickly or if your supervisor is too busy to write one for you. If you believe you have a better grasp of your abilities than your recommender, a self-recommendation could be beneficial.
3. What is LOR's full form?
Ans. The LOR full form is a Letter of Recommendation.
Q4. What are SOP and LOR?
Ans. A student writes an SOP to explain why they are applying to a particular course at a specific university in a certain nation. On the other hand, the LOR is prepared by a person who is personally acquainted with the student. The writer highlights the applicant's accomplishments, personality, and qualities.
5. Is it OK to copy the Letter of Recommendation?
Ans. A letter of Recommendation is unique to each application since referrers are required to provide a recommendation based on the specific program for which you are applying. You can’t copy the Letter of Recommendation.
6. Why is LOR used?
Ans. The Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a recommendation form designed to save alumni considerable time by offering a single, standard set of questions.
7. Is LOR required?
Ans. Letters of recommendation (LORs) are required during the application process for many graduate courses, such as MS, MBA, and Ph.D. programs. LORs give admissions committees a professional viewpoint on your advantages, disadvantages, and likelihood of succeeding in graduate school.
8. Is a two-page LOR possible?
Ans. The standards for each letter of recommendation (LOR) differ depending on its function and substance. However, a standard reference letter consists of just three or four paragraphs, which means a single page.
9. What is the LOR's validity?
Ans. Typically, a LOR is good for a full year.
10. Is a physical copy of the LOR necessary?
Ans. LORs can be submitted online in PDF format while completing the application. However, certain colleges may demand a physical copy. So, it is essential to check the requirements before submitting the LOR.
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