A person seeking a degree or applying for a job in a prominent organization is usually required to submit one or more Letters of Recommendation (LoR) which help the assessment committee understand whether or not they are the right fit. for the applied course or professional designation. A letter of recommendation is usually written by a former employer or professor who knows the candidate well to refer them and offer their name to the organization to shortlist the intended candidate. The blog aims to provide the reader with an in-depth idea of the fundamental characteristics of a letter of recommendation and the main points to keep in mind when writing a LoR.
Types of LoR:
There are basically two different types of letters of recommendation, namely academic LoR and professional LoR. The difference between the aforementioned LoRs is the nature of the provider or recommender.
i) Academic LoR:
An academic recommendation letter is provided by a faculty member belonging to an academic institution where a candidate has previously studied. International universities require at least an academic LoR, and in such cases, an applicant can return to their former academic institution and ask a professor to do the necessary. An academic LoR draws attention to the student’s ability to pursue the applied course because the course is aligned with their previous academic achievements.
ii) Professional LoR:
A majority of international institutions abroad require prior work experience, especially if applying for a master’s or doctoral degree. Professional LoRs can be written and provided to a candidate by a senior or colleague from their last work organization. A professional LoR should be written on company letterhead only. A professional LoR emphasizes candidates’ abilities to work in a diverse work environment, teamwork, and specifies their exposure depending on the field.
Why is a LoR necessary?
Applicants who plan to continue their studies are required to submit a LoR, especially if they plan to pursue studies in international destinations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Students are required to submit usually 2 LoRs belonging to their academic and professional backgrounds, regardless of their level of study, course and field of study. Students applying for an undergraduate course often have no work experience, so they can apply for a LoR from teachers, college professors, professors, directors, counselors, etc. However, candidates who apply for a master’s course at foreign universities need a professional LoR at their disposal which they can request from their former employer, internship supervisor, etc.
The format of a LoR
A normal letter of recommendation usually consists of 4-5 paragraphs that explicitly describe a candidate’s ability for future endeavours. Each paragraph is normally assigned to a particular section which provides the necessary information about an individual.
The first paragraph initiates the nature of the relationship between recommender and recommended. The opening paragraph almost always begins by mentioning the professional designation in addition to the individual’s credentials and can be concluded by sensitively mentioning why the recommender is only referring the candidate.
The second paragraph of the LOR should talk about the candidate’s potential strengths in addition to traits that will help them align more with the upcoming course.
The third paragraph must mention realistic scenarios affirming the preparation of the candidate as well as his commitment to achieve the set objective.
This is meant to be the final paragraph concluding the candidate’s letter of recommendation by telling how his abilities make him the suitable candidate for the course he is to apply for admission.
In this paragraph, the recommender should provide their contact information as well as the institution or organization in which they work for further assistance.
Essential characteristics of a LoR:
1. All inclusive
2. Clearly decipherable
3. Go straight to the point
4. Holistic approach
5. Personal touch with authenticity
For further assistance or questions, students can contact us, Edwise Internationaland take advantage of our wide range of services for students in destinations such as Universities in the United States, study in the United States, study in uk, Study in Ireland, study in australia, study in new zealand, study in singapore and many other countries.
