Letter of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation (LOR), or letter of reference, is a required document when applying for foreign universities or scholarships.

As a student or scholarship candidate, it is essential to ask for a teacher, mentor, supervisor or manager to write a recommendation letter on your behalf. This letter is helpful to the university admission committee as it helps them know you and what you are capable of. It is a powerful weapon that speaks about your capabilities and strengths as recognized by your referee.

Who should you ask for a recommendation letter?

Generally, choosing professors, tutors and people with whom you have closely worked is strongly advised as referees for imparting thorough knowledge of your skills and work. It would be best if the referee has some level of expertise or professionalism in the related field of your application.

If you have work experience in an area closely related to the university program you are applying for, you can also get your managers or your employer to write the reference letter. Include a note that explains your choice of referee and why they were selected to write your reference letter.

How to ask for a letter of recommendation?

Asking someone for a letter of recommendation is sometimes intimidating, but with the proper approach, there is no reason it has to be. The following are some suggestions on how to request a letter of recommendation:

• Select the right individual: Select an individual who is familiar with your strengths, skills and personal traits. This may be a professor, supervisor or mentor who has a good grasp of who you are.
• Request in advance: Provide the individual sufficient time to prepare the letter. You should request at least several weeks before the deadline or when you are required to have the letter.
• Personalize the request: In asking, remind the person of your success and experience with them. Describe the reasons you are seeking their recommendation and how it will help you realize your future aspirations.
• Furnish required information: Facilitate the individual in writing the letter by furnishing information like your resume, transcripts, and an overview of the program for which you are applying.
• Follow up with appreciation: Once the individual has agreed to write the letter, be thankful and thank them for their time and assistance. Once they have handed in the letter, do not forget to send a note of thanks for their appreciation.

Keep in mind that a professionally written letter of recommendation can be an enormous help to your future prospects, so it’s time well-spent to request one politely and considerately.

What should be written in a letter of recommendation

A good reference letter or recommendation letter must always consist of these 4 key elements:

• A paragraph describing the relation with the student/applicant.
• The referee’s opinion regarding the student/ applicant’s interests, talents and capability to study at the university.
• Some examples of the student/applicant’s accomplishments both within and outside school (e.g., volunteer work)
• A conclusion with the reasons for the referee to recommend the student/applicant to the university or scholarship, or why the referee believes that the university should admit the student/applicant there.

Tips to write the perfect letter of recommendation

• Be cautious when selecting someone to write your recommendation letter. The best letter is written by someone who is willing to do so and not obligated to write it. It should be from a person who possesses the power and stature that lends credibility to the letter. Keep in mind that a badly written or hastily written letter is more detrimental than having no letter at all.
• Inform your referee why you require a recommendation letter from them. It is crucial to provide your referee with a brief about the course or scholarships you are applying for prior to them writing the LOR. Ensure that you also give them the submission dates of the recommendation letter.
• The LOR must be short, precise, and to the point to produce the most effective impact. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the LOR is an independent document and should never be combined with a resume. This is one of the main reasons for which the candidates might end up rejected or refused.
• The LOR must emphasize the qualities and special skills that you can contribute to the university. It must talk about the positive impact, change, and new learning that you can offer. Adding comparisons can make your LOR more powerful, but only when they are supported by examples that give genuine context and reasons for the comparison. For instance, you can state how you became distinct among a certain group of students in the recommender’s class and give specific examples of the steps you took.
• Keep in mind that a letter of recommendation should not mention grades or scores on competitive exams, if they are not necessary to describe certain academic data. Such scores are already included in your application, so no need to repeat them in the recommendation letter.
• Any private or confidential information regarding you should be included only in case it has any importance or unless deemed absolutely unavoidable.

Letter of recommendation sample

Sample Letter of Recommendation

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company/Organization]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to highly recommend [Applicant’s Full Name] for [the position/program/scholarship/etc.]. I have had the pleasure of working with [him/her/they] for [duration] in my capacity as [your relationship, e.g., supervisor, professor, mentor] at [Company/Organization/Institution], and during that time, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her/their] dedication, intelligence, and professionalism.

[Applicant’s First Name] possesses a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for [field or subject]. [He/She/They] consistently demonstrated excellent [specific skills or qualities, e.g., analytical thinking, communication, leadership] in both individual and team settings. One of the most notable projects [he/she/they] contributed to was [brief description of a relevant project or achievement], which showcased [his/her/their] ability to [mention qualities like problem-solving, creativity, initiative].

Beyond [his/her/their] technical skills, [Applicant’s First Name] is a joy to work with. [He/She/They] is courteous, thoughtful, and always willing to go the extra mile to help others. [His/Her/Their] positive attitude and resilience make [him/her/them] a valued team member and a natural leader.

I have no doubt that [Applicant’s Full Name] will bring the same level of excellence, enthusiasm, and integrity to your [position/program]. I wholeheartedly recommend [him/her/them] without reservation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Job Title]

[Your Company/Organization]

Conclusion

A good and beneficial letter of recommendation can also make a big difference to the success of your application. If you need help or advice on your letter of recommendation, our IDP counsellors are ready and willing to assist you. Do not hesitate to approach them for assistance.