A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is often a crucial part of the application process in college, whether you are applying for a master’s degree or an undergraduate degree. Having good letters of recommendation can turn the admission decision in your favour as it greatly enhances your academic profile. In many universities, submitting a LOR is a necessary prerequisite to complete the application process. Hence, it is crucial to secure a good LOR before submitting your application form. So, in this article, we will look at some of the best LOR samples for a college application.
Note that often, top universities ask candidates to send in at least 2-3 letters of recommendation along with their application forms. This varies from course to course, so research thoroughly about the best academic LOR samples for masters and best LOR samples for MS and UG.
Who Writes A Recommendation Letter?
A recommendation letter you submit along with your application form should be from someone with genuine authority and goodwill whose word will be considered neutral and trustworthy. It is recommended to not get such letters written by a family member as it may reek of bias and not be taken seriously by the application perusers. You can refer to the following criteria to determine who is the ideal person to get an LOR from :-
- A person who knows you well
- Someone with good academic credentials and achievements.
- Someone who is a senior professor in your current course
- Someone who already has the degree you are applying for.
- Someone who has pursued advanced higher education and been your boss or supervisor in a job or internship.
- A person who has evaluated your academics in an exam.
Following these guidelines will help you select the best LOR samples for masters to refer to for your final letter.
Skills You Need To Have While Writing An LOR
We’ve listed essential skills to help you enhance your Letter of Recommendation (LOR) without overlooking any. These skills if appropriately chosen can distinguish you from other students. Keep in mind to incorporate select skills from the list, rather than including them all in your LOR:
- Proficiency in teamwork and the capability to excel independently.
- Effective communication skills.
- Strong research abilities.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Well-developed social skills.
- Involvement in meaningful co-curricular activities.
LOR Guidelines
Observing the prescribed guidelines for Letters of Recommendation (LORs) is crucial to avoid errors. Here are recommended LOR formats and common guidelines to adhere to:
- Avoid Handwritten LORs
Ensure that your LOR is typed and not handwritten.
- Font and Color
Maintain a font size of 11 and use black text for your LOR.
- Grammar and Spelling
Be vigilant about grammatical and spelling errors and proofread thoroughly.
- Word Limit
Stay within the specified word limit, typically 500-600 words.
- Avoid Exaggeration
Avoid exaggerating points in your LOR to maintain accuracy.
- Diverse Content
When submitting multiple LORs as required by some universities, ensure that each LOR contains distinct content.
Types Of Letters Of Recommendation
- Academic LOR
A personal Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is written by an individual who has a close relationship with the student, such as a friend, family member or personal acquaintance. This type of LOR offers a unique perspective on the candidate’s character, personality and achievements, which may not be apparent in other forms of recommendation letters.
- Professional LOR
The academic letter of recommendation (LOR) is written by someone who has had a close working relationship with the student, such as a teacher, professor or supervisor. This letter highlights the student’s academic achievements, expertise and future prospects in their chosen field of study.
LOR Samples
Whether you are writing a LOR or getting it written by a professor or supervisor, it is important to keep a few specific formats and samples in mind to know what to write in the letter or what to get written. Given below are a few samples for an ideal LOR from the point of view of someone who is writing it. If you are getting it written from someone, you can ask them to refer to them as well.
Best LOR samples-
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LOR Format
It is important to keep in mind the basic format of an LOR and its must-have elements, after which you can take a few liberties with the rest of the letter. Do refer to the following format and follow the best LOR samples tips
- Writing the name of the student or employer with the recommender’s name at the end.
- The first paragraph must describe the position and personality of the student.
- The main body should contain the positive qualities, achievements and the recommender’s thoughts on the applicant.
- The letter should also mention the relationship the recommender has with the applicant.
Tips For Writing LOR
Here are a few best LOR samples tips that can help you to write a good LOR-
- Follow the LOR guidelines of the university
- The information in a LOR should verify all the claims in your Statement of Purpose.
- If you need more than 1 LOR, try to get the letters from people associated with different spheres of your academic and professional life.
- All your skills and qualities listed in the LOR should be backed by real-life examples for eg. a job role or project you handled well.
- Choose your recommender carefully according to the application needs.
Mistakes To Avoid While Writing An LOR
Copying from the Internet
While it might be tempting to copy-paste from online sample Letters of Recommendation (LORs), this approach can negatively impact your application’s success. Originality and authenticity are key.
Selecting the Right Referee
The choice of a referee is critical. They should be well-qualified, know the student well and be capable of writing a strong reference. Using an unsuitable referee can harm your application.
Avoid Repetition
The LOR should not duplicate information found in your resume or Statement of Purpose (SOP). Instead, it should provide unique insights into your personality which will ensure the admissions officer gains a deeper understanding of you.
Adherence to Protocol
Certain protocols must be strictly followed, such as typing the LOR (not handwriting it) on university letterhead and delivering it in a sealed envelope. Neglecting these details can compromise the letter’s authenticity.
Inclusion of Relevant Information
Referees should have access to sufficient information about the student, possibly referencing their resume and SOP. Students can help by providing a document with all the necessary details.
Avoid Rushed Writing
Referees should have ample time to write the LOR. Rushing through it can result in tending to forget crucial information. Having backup referees on standby can prove to be beneficial in case the primary referee is unavailable.
Proofreading
Spelling and grammatical errors should be diligently removed from the LOR. These errors can cast doubt on the referee’s credibility and potentially harm the application’s success.
How to Select a Good Recommender for LOR?
Consider these key points when choosing a recommender for your Letter of Recommendation (LOR):
- Opt for someone you’ve worked closely with or under their supervision.
- While recommenders in higher positions hold value, they may lack personal knowledge of you and your qualities. Prioritise someone who knows you both professionally and personally over a higher-ranking individual.
- Select a recommender who can effectively highlight your qualities and is qualified to compose a strong LOR.
- Avoid pressuring anyone into writing your LOR. Instead, choose a recommender who is willing and eager to support your application with a genuine and positive recommendation.
FAQs
How do I write my own LOR?
When writing your own LOR, go out to professionals who can best speak to your talents, choose the correct mix of science and non-science professors or bosses, and draw on many stages of your life experience, from university to work situations, classrooms to a gap year.
Is it illegal to write a letter of recommendation?
If you falsify a LOR, the admissions committee will notice, because colleges place high importance on weeding out dishonest and unethical applicants.
Is it bad to write your own letter of recommendation?
The only time it is acceptable to write your own letter of recommendation is when the person you requested the letter from asks you to do it. Even then, it is important to be honest in the letter.
What is the proper way to write a letter of recommendation?
In a Letter of Recommendation (LOR), include an introduction and a clear recommendation statement. Follow this with a specific list of reasons endorsing the student, accompanied by a personal story backed by evidence of their skills. Conclude with a strong closing statement, your contact information and your signature.
Is a 200-word LOR good?
This is a very long reference letter and won’t be considered suitable.
We hope you enjoyed this blog on the best LOR samples. To know more about related fields, do check out our other blogs.
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