LOR Samples
If you are applying to study abroad, you must know the importance of a Letter of Recommendation. A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is one of the crucial documents required while applying to study at universities abroad. It plays a significant role in the application process and is a deciding factor for your acceptance into an institution.
Before we get into the specifics of the Letter of Recommendation, it's essential to understand what it is, who it's for, and how to write one. This article will walk you through various LOR samples to help you understand the nitty-gritty of LOR.
What is the Meaning of LOR Samples?
A letter of recommendation, also known as a reference letter, is a document that helps admission officers get an insight into whether the candidate is suitable for admission to a particular course. The primary aim of the letter of recommendation is to get a thorough idea of your experience, skills, achievements, and contributions made in the past.
For admission to any foreign university, you require at least 3 LOR, irrespective of the course.
What are the Different Types of LOR Samples?
There are broadly two types of Letters of Recommendation divided based on the nature of the recommended:
1. Academic Letter of Recommendation
An academic LOR is a letter of recommendation from your university professor or faculty member. Most foreign universities require a minimum of 3 LORs from previous institutions where you studied. These recommenders could be teachers from your school (if you are applying for UG admission) or your college professors (if you are applying for a master's or PhD). The LOR's purpose is to highlight your accomplishments subtly without exaggeration.
2. Professional Letter of Recommendation
If you are applying for MBA, you must be aware that most MBA colleges abroad require prior work experience. So, they also need a professional LOR from an immediate supervisor. The Professional LOR mentions the candidate's skills relevant to the course. Professional LOR is different from Academic LOR in terms of content.
What is the Basic Format of a LOR?
A Letter of Recommendation is a 1-page document of around 400-500 words.
The format and the structure of the content play an important role in properly communicating your message to the admission department. The content should be divided into 4-5 paragraphs, where each section mentions a unique part.
Here is the basic format of LOR to help you draft your perfect LOR.
Also, you must go through the website as universities may have specific guidelines for the same.
Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
The first paragraph is the introductory paragraph, which mentions the recommender's credentials, such as name, title, institution or organisation, city, and relationship with the student. It is also crucial to describe how long the recommender has known the student and how they are qualified to write this recommendation letter.
Paragraph 2 (Candidate's Strength)
The second section should mention the strengths of the applicant. It could be personal, work-related, or anything. The only aspect to be followed here is to write depending on the nature of the recommendation.
Paragraph 3 (Proof of strength)
The third paragraph should include an incident where the candidate has successfully shown their skills. It is critical to narrate the story as a medium to show the student's true potential in front of the admission authority.
Closing paragraph
The final section should mention why you think the candidate is a perfect fit for the university. It is crucial to write an honest LOR without being too flattery.
Following these steps, crafting a perfect letter of recommendation is extremely easy.
LOR Samples for Students
To,
The Admissions Team
Department of Psychology
Alliant International University
It is my immense pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Sarah, who has applied for admission to Psychology Hons. at Alliant International University. Being her class teacher at the Senior Secondary Section, Delhi Public School, Delhi, I've worked with her closely both in academics and extracurricular activities.
She has been studying in this school for the past seven years and is one of the brightest students. I taught her Mathematics in the 12th standard and mentored her for the final semester project, which she handled brilliantly without anyone's help. Based on my experience with her, I can classify her as one of the most determined students. She has consistently performed well and shown exceptional merit in all spheres of school life.
Besides being a commendable student, she is also a great dancer and has performed at various inter-school events and competitions. With her zeal and dedication, she has won several awards over the years, and we are immensely proud of her.
I can confidently vouch that she will continue to excel in life, and I highly recommend her for admission to your undergraduate program. The best part about her is that she is ready for constructive criticism and always willing to learn. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sincerely,
Ms Kiran
Mathematics Teacher
Delhi Public School
Professionals LOR Samples
To,
The Admissions Team
Department of Business Management
Warwick University
I am extremely pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Neelam Mehta for her admission to the International Business Management at Warwick University. Neelam has worked under my guidance and mentorship as a Senior analyst for over 3-years. She was an essential part of my team at S&P Global, Gurugram, where she was subordinate to me on various projects.
During the period she worked with me, her high devotion and diligence in building the projects allowed her to receive the award for being the best team player. Neelam has an analytical, strategic, and organisational background. She is also a quick learner who can articulate complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner.
She has also been successful in implementing various research reports and analyses and also helped in improving the overall performance of the team. As her manager, I've received high appreciation from the stakeholders regarding her quality work. She can deal with strict deadlines smoothly and always delivers the best. She is also outgoing and eager to interact with other team members and involve them in projects.
Given our interaction, Ms Neelam will be a valuable asset to any institution or organisation she joins. I am confident that she will continue to excel in her studies as she did in her workplace. I wish her unbounded success in admission into the MBA program at Warwick University. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 12345678 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you require additional information or particular instances.
Sincerely,
Deepak Kumar.
Mistakes to Avoid in LOR
Avoid these mistakes and craft a perfect LOR to make into your dream university:
- Selecting the wrong Recommender: This is one of the most common mistakes most students make. A good recommender should know you and your strengths and can present them in front of the admission department in a convincing manner.
- Excessive praising: The LOR should look authentic without any unnecessary flattering.
- Recommender's contact details: A LOR should include the full contact details of the recommender.
- Areas of Improvement: Along with mentioning all the good parts and strengths, it is good to write at least one area of improvement to make the document look authentic.
- Not validating the candidature with an example: Any praising done in the LOR must be followed by an example.
How to Select a Good Recommender for LOR?
To clear this common misconception, you should always get your letter of recommendation written by someone who knows you personally and professionally, has witnessed all your highs and lows and knows how to convince them about your strengths to the admission department.
It is a common misconception that the value of a recommendation letter is proportional to the designation of the recommender, but this is an entirely false statement.
For instance, the director of the university from where you studied or the senior VP of the company you worked for is highly designated. However, you should get a letter of recommendation written from the professor who taught you or the manager to whom you reported, as they are the ones who have directly worked with you and know everything about you.
In addition, a LOR needs to be professional without any friendly or biased notions, so keeping this aspect in mind, you should never ask your batchmates or colleagues to write a letter for you.
We hope that this blog has helped clear your doubts regarding writing LORs and its various aspects to ensure that your LORs are the right one that ensures you pursue your dream studies abroad.
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