Letter Of Recommendation (LOR): A Complete Guide On How To Make One

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Introduction

Documentation is such an important part of applying to top global Universities abroad. There are several papers you need to accumulate over time, both for admission and immigration. However, today we’ll be focusing on a document that plays a key role in increasing your chances of getting into a top University - a Letter of Recommendation or LOR. In this blog, we’ll be looking at:

• What is an LOR?
• Who should you ask to write an LOR? 
• Best LOR format for getting into top global Universities abroad
• Frequently asked questions 
• Download Sample LOR + Template Now!

Q. What is an LOR?

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is an endorsement of skills, talent and aptitude, written commonly by a superior or a mentor. It can be:

• A professor 
• A manager 
• A research mentor
• CEO/Founder of a company (in startups)

This letter is important because it validates your abilities by a person who has worked closely with you and has seen your growth. If an SOP is your voice, a CV/Resume is your record, and an LOR is an independent proof of your hard work. It is an important document for the admission committee because it provides third-party validation.

Q. Who should you ask to write an LOR?

It is also extremely crucial to choose the right person for this task. Southeast and East Asian students typically make the mistake of choosing someone in a high position or based on their designation. But this approach isn’t going to benefit because an LOR can only be considered authentic if it’s written by someone who has worked closely with you. Choose a superior who knows your work well, has seen you solve problems, observed your growth and can provide instances of your work. A detailed letter from a mid-level manager who supervised you closely is far stronger than a generic letter from a company director. Here are the types of LOR you can obtain:

Type of LOR	Who writes it?	What should it cover?
Academic	Professor Principal	Intellect and appetite for learning Analytical skills Classroom proactivity and engagement Research ability and efforts
Professional/Internship	Manager Senior Manager Supervisor Team Lead, etc.	Leadership skills & potential Approach to initiative-taking Communication skills Ownership of work Problem-solving skills
Personal or Character-based	Personal Life Coach Mentor	Empathetic skills Communication  Inner strength  Passion Interpersonal skills
Extracurricular or Volunteering Activities	Community Leaders (like NGO heads, coordinators) Department Heads ( for college activities)	Work ethics  Initiative-taking abilities Helpful nature Passion for the cause Proactivity

 

Please note: Many universities may ask for a combination of one or two different types of LOR, like Academic + Professional or Academic + Volunteering/Extracurricular, etc. It’s important to check these details before submitting your application.

Q. Best LOR format for getting into top global Universities abroad

While there is no set format for writing an LOR, there are some key factors to include when writing one. 1) The relationship: It’s important to mention the name, designation and the relationship between you and the person writing the LOR. It should also mention the period they supervised or worked with you. 2) Academic/Professional context: Explain the environment in which you were observed - classroom, research lab, office, etc. It should describe your role and responsibilities, and the level of rigour or competitiveness in that setting. 3) 2-3 examples of excellence: If the recommender can provide a few instances of demonstrated skills such as leadership, analytical thinking, initiative, collaboration, etc, then it will add to your credibility even more. 4) Personal qualities: Beyond performance, this section will showcase traits such as intellectual curiosity, maturity, adaptability, communication skills, etc. 5) Strong endorsement: The letter should end on a confident and clear note. Phrases like “I recommend her without reservation” or “I strongly endorse his application” signal genuine support. It’s best to ask your recommender for strong support.

Conclusion

An LOR is not just a one-time letter of validation; it’s a lifelong proof that you have what it takes to be a great professional. Now that you’ve understood the importance of an LOR along with the format, it’s time to make one that confidently endorses your skills. Remember that confidence is one of the biggest key skills required to make it into a top University (not overconfidence!). Please feel free to refer to the FAQs below, along with our downloadable template.  

FAQ - Letter Of Recommendation

Q. How many LORs do I need?

Typically, most Universitites, and especially top Universities like Harvard, Oxford, MIT, etc., require 2-3 different types of LOR. 

• Research-based programs usually prefer academic + work references.
• MBA and professional programs often prefer 2 or more professional supervisors.

Always check the specific program requirements carefully.

Q. When should I ask for a recommendation?

  Ideally, ask for one 4-6 weeks before a deadline. It will give you enough time to draft a proper LOR and make changes if needed, as well as give the recommender enough time to make changes. 

Q. What if my professor or manager asks me to draft the letter?

  This is a common practice in India and many other Asian countries. In such cases, it’s best to be:

• Honest 
• Don’t exaggerate claims 
• Include examples of credibility 
• Match the recommender’s tone 
• Keep it professional and realistic 

You can refer to our LOR template to make one below.   

Q. Who should review my LOR? 

    Before submitting, it's best to ask the recommender to review it for discrepancies before signing. It’s also best to show the LOR to your admission/immigration agent (if you have one) who’s applying to the program on your behalf incase the University has specific demands. 

Q. Can I use the same LOR to apply to multiple Universities? 

  If you are applying to programs in similar fields, then yes, you can. If you are applying for different programs in different fields, then it’s best to get custom LORs from your recommenders. Ideally, an LOR should be customised to fit the program because different Universities are looking for specific skills that align with the course, e.g, an MBA program will need an LOR that endorses skills like leadership, teamwork, time management etc. A research program will look for skills like analytics, experience with research tools, etc.   

Q. What are the formal components of an LOR?

    An ideal LOR should include the following:

• Official letterhead of the organisation - college, company, etc.
• The official letterhead will include: logo, address, contact details, organisation name, etc.
• Date of publishing, it should be mentioned at the top or above the salutation
• Recommender’s full name, designation, department & contact details

Example:  Dr Ananya Rao Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science Mumbai University ananya@mumbai.org +91 1234567891

• Signature (mandatory) & company seal (if available)