What is LOR (Letter of Recommendation): Importance, Certificate and Complete Guide

The full form of LOR is Letter of Recommendation; it is a prerequisite document submitted by the student to the applied University. It is an essential component of the application process and adds value to the student’s credentials. An outstanding letter of recommendation to study abroad should highlight the qualifications & skills of the student. It should also include the reasons why the student is competent enough for admission to the specific program.

Before submitting a Letter of Recommendation, students should keep certain key pointers in check. This blog is a complete guide to understanding the fundamentals of LOR.

LOR and Its Key Fundamentals

Here is a breakdown of the fundamentals of a letter of recommendation to study abroad:

1. What is an LOR?

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a formal testimonial / document drafted by a mentor, teacher, or employer to officially vouch for the student to help get a seat in an academic program, scholarship, or job. The document is written by a mentor who knows the student on a personal level or has closely monitored them in an academic setting and is credible enough to provide the testimonial. An LOR should include qualities, skills, qualifications, etc., and why the authorised writer believes in recommending the mentee.

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2. Types of LOR

Below mentioned are two types of LORs that are required by Universities abroad:

Academic Letter of Recommendation

An academic letter of recommendation is required to be submitted by the student along with the University application form. A teacher or an academic mentor is required to draft an LOR for the student and highlight all qualifications, skills, contributions, experiences, achievements, and qualities. The document is supposed to be written from a personal perspective as a mentor and recommend the student for the applied program.

Professional Letter of Recommendation

A professional letter of recommendation is drafted by employers for the employee in order to often recommend them for Universities abroad offering postgraduate programs like MBA. Since, the majority of Universities abroad prioritise work experience before a master’s, a well-drafted professional LOR can assist the student in getting admission.

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3. Importance of Letter of Recommendation

An LOR is interpreted as a testimonial for the student’s academic and professional journey. It includes the mentor’s perspective of the student’s abilities to perform well academically; therefore, students should understand the importance of Letter of Recommendation.

It also authenticates the academic credentials mentioned by the student in their application by an official, therefore verifying the same.

A letter of recommendation to study abroad is a prerequisite document required by the Universities. It adds significant value to the application since it is backed up by a professional and authorised mentor.

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4. Elements of LOR

A few key elements of a letter of recommendation to study abroad are discussed below:

• The introduction should contain important information about the recommender such as name, designation, and contact details.
• The recommender should clearly state their academic relationship with the student.
• The body of the LOR should comprehensively include the skills & qualities of the student. Adding specific examples can add more value to the LOR certificate. Along with this, the recommender should consider emphasising on the academic accomplishments and mention why the student is a good fit for the program.
• The conclusion should summarise the student’s suitability for the course and provide a direct endorsement.

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5. LOR Format

A brief outline of the format of a Letter of Recommendation is mentioned below:

• Header: The header should include name, address, contact details, and the present date. Additionally, add the recipient’s information, such as name / title / committee.
• Salutation: Direct the Letter of Recommendation to the Admissions Office of the educational institution.
• Introduction: The introduction should include the name and relationship with the student. Mention the duration and the nature of the relationship with the student.
• Body: The body of the letter should provide personal insights & review the key achievements of the student. Also, the student’s suitability for the program should be pointed out.
• Conclusion: The conclusion should summarise the student’s academic profile and state briefly and clearly their alignment with the course. Offer to provide further details. Then, close with ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Yours faithfully’.
• Signature, Name & Designation. The last lines of the letter should be the name of the sender written in running handwriting, and followed by the typed name and designation of the sender.

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6. Tips to Draft a Strong Letter of Recommendation

A few tips to draft a compelling Letter of Recommendation are discussed below:

• Providing examples of the student’s work is an excellent strategy for drafting an impressive letter of recommendation to study abroad. Providing real insights from the student’s academic journey can assist the student in securing admission.
• Instead of vague phrases such as ‘hardworking student’ or ‘talented student,’ quantify the strengths and abilities of the student. For example, ‘30% co-curricular participation’ or ‘70% academic participation’, and so on.
• The recommender should emphasise on highlighting the strengths and abilities of the student. Moreover, focusing on specific qualities can exhibit how well the recommender knows the student, that ultimately adds to the credibility of the writer as well as the student.
• A letter of recommendation to study abroad should be written on the letterhead of the educational Institution the student is coming from. It gives a more formal appearance and verifies the credibility of the recommender.
• The letter of recommendation to study abroad is an official and important document for the admission process of the student. Thus, an LOR should be formal and concise. It should not include any casual phrases or spoken English.

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7. Mistakes to Avoid While Drafting an LOR

Below-stated are a few mistakes that should be avoided while preparing an LOR:

• Selecting the right recommender is the key to setting out an outstanding letter of recommendation to study abroad. However, students often request the Head of Department or Principal to provide an LOR, and due to the lack of personal insights, students with vague LORs are less likely to be shortlisted.
• Recommenders should use crisp and formal language. Avoid using adjectives and emphasise more on giving reference to real-life examples.
• Ensure that the LOR does not have any spelling or grammatical errors. Universities observe these errors and factor them in during the admissions process.
• The ideal length of a letter of recommendation to study abroad should be between 350 to 500 words and not exceed one page. Many students submit lengthy LORs that do not appeal to the Admissions Officer / Committee.

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Conclusion

A letter of recommendation is a significant part of the application process and should be prepared well in advance. Students should be aware of the importance of LOR to study abroad since it makes or breaks the application. Universities hold a strong preference for candidates who build one-on-one relationships with teachers and mentors and are authenticated to be an asset to the University. Other documents like a good Statement of Purpose and other certificates go a long way in making the application stand out.