What English Learners Should Know About Letters of Recommendation for University Applications

A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a document given by a person who is acquainted with you in your academic or professional life. It is given to support your application to a university, showcasing your strengths, accomplishments, and suitability for the course you have applied for. 

Admissions officers depend so much on these letters to bring an outsider's view of your personality and abilities. A good endorsement can make your application stand apart from the others, especially when it resonates with what the university requires or values.

To know more about what English learners should know about Letters of Recommendation for university applications, read this blog ahead! 

Who Writes Your Letters of Recommendations?

Choosing your recommenders for LORs carefully is very important. Try to keep in mind of these following factors:  

1. Your recommender must know you well

Choose teachers, professors, or supervisors from whom you could expect knowledge of your abilities and personality with examples. A person as mentioned above with a good reputation can easily write a powerful LOR about you.

2. They must have a relationship with the field you are applying to

It is a great thing if you seek an engineering course, and get a reference from your maths or physics teacher. This is because they will be able to talk about your interests in the subjects, in a detailed manner. Try not to get the LORs from a relative or friend since they won’t be accepted by the universities. 

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How Many LORs Should You Get? 

Two or three letters of recommendation are common to nearly all universities. However, some would specify that the program requires an academic and a professional reference. So, it is better to get it checked with your desired university’s admissions committee before you start requesting LORs. 

What Should a Letter of Recommendation Include?

A good LOR not only showcases your achievements but also talks in detail about your competencies and basic yet outstanding traits. 

Here is what a proper LOR should generally contain:

Introduction: It should state the identity of the recommender, his or her role, and the relation with you. 

For example:

“I am Mrs. Jane Doe, a mathematics teacher at XYZ High School, and I have had the pleasure of teaching [Your Name] for two years in advanced calculus.”

Your Strengths: The letter should touch on your leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity demonstrated with examples.

Academic or Work Performance: Your recommender should describe how you performed in their class or under their supervision. This may involve grades, projects, or contributions to group work.

Personal Qualities: Traits like commitment, resilience, and a positive attitude can really help set you apart.

A Proper Conclusion: It should summarize the reasons why the recommender feels that you should be a great fit for the chosen university’s program. 

For example:

"I fully support his/her (mention name) application for admission to your school and believe he/she (mention name) will do well in the XYZ program."

Common Mistakes While Getting a Letter of Recommendation

To make sure that your LOR is perfectly written, you must try to avoid these common mistakes that students usually tend to make. Take a look at the following.  

Providing generic content: A letter of recommendation meant for everyone can hardly make you stand out. Be sure to let your recommender know that the LOR must contain specific accomplishments and qualities of yours.

Writing it in a weaker language: Words like "good student" or "hard worker" could mean nothing. A great letter uses a commanding phrase: "exceptionally dedicated," "an outstanding problem-solver." 

Late Submission: Missing the deadline for submitting your LOR will certainly not be in your favour. Always confirm the timeline with your recommenders about submission deadlines.

How to Submit Your Letter of Recommendation?

Universities may either require the LOR requesting parties to send them directly online or submit them through email. Where hard copies are required, then all such letters have to be submitted on an official post, signed by the requesting party, and sealed in an envelope. Check this as well, with your admissions office before submitting. 

Following Up with Your Recommenders 

Once the letters of recommendation are submitted, do not forget to thank your recommenders. A simple thank-you note in an email or written form can go a long way in keeping the good bond alive.

For example: 

"Thank you very much for taking the time to write my recommendation letter. I truly appreciate your support and guidance throughout this procedure."

Example of a Strong Letter of Recommendation

Here’s a brief example to give you an idea of what a recommendation letter might look like. This is just a sample, try not to use this as a template to get yours written! 

Subject: Recommendation for [Your Name]

Dear [Admissions Committee/Specific Recipient],

I am delighted to recommend [Your Name] for admission to [University/Program Name]. As [Your Position, e.g., their English teacher] for the past [time], I have witnessed [Your Name]’s remarkable growth and dedication.

[Your Name] consistently excelled in [specific skills/achievements], such as [example of project or coursework]. Their determination to improve, especially in mastering English, is commendable. [He/She/They] actively participated in [specific activity], demonstrating [specific qualities, e.g., teamwork and leadership].

I am confident that [Your Name] will bring the same enthusiasm and hard work to [University/Program Name]. Please feel free to contact me at [email/phone] for further information.

Sincerely,
[Recommender’s Name and Title]

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