Unique Features of a Letter of Recommendation

This comprehensive blog highlights the irrefutable role of Letter of Recommendation (LOR), and why should you remain abreast of its exclusive features. You need an LOR especially if you are seeking to escalate in life further through growth in academic or professional life.

Having a quintessential application is pivotal while applying to the top universities for higher education, especially the ivy league colleges. Out of the millions of applications that universities receive, yours needs to be the one that catches their eye. While we all know how important a statement of purpose (SOP) and the letter of motivation is to the Admission Committee members of respective Colleges or Universities of repute where you are willing enrollment for a bright future.

You may Also Like: 8 Common SOP Writing Tips 

Besides your SOP, submission of a letter of recommendation (LOR) gives an equal weightage. It is important to improve your chances of getting your admission confirmed into your preferred university.

It is also important to point out that while some universities may not ask for SOPs, almost every university you apply to will ask you for a letter of recommendation. Berkeley Graduate Division highlights how LOR play a pivotal role in smoothening admissions. Let’s, therefore, explain to you what a letter of recommendation is and why it must be valued paramount.

What is a Letter of Recommendation (LOR)?

As the name suggests, a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) or a letter of reference is a document that highlights a candidate’s strengths and capabilities from the perspective of their professors, supervisors or mentors as an expert assessment. A letter of recommendation gives the Admission Committee of any College/University an edge and best opportunity to gain more insights into the characteristics and personality of the particular student.

It can be the basis for whether your candidature is suitable for admission or not. While writing a LOR on behalf of your mentor to sign that, you must ensure that it highlights your strengths and also talks about your weaknesses to make a proper balance.

LORs are often asked for by the universities and also by the prospective employers with an aim to reach up to the crème de la crèmes from the large volume of applications received. Companies give more preference to the candidates who have a well-structured and strong LOR that speaks volumes about a candidate. The University of Oxford categorically highlights that while starting the application process for admission, a potential student must not ignore the pivotal role of LOR to take the candidature to the next level.

Remember that a LOR must not be mistaken for a resume. A resume is a summary of your background, achievements, skills, etc., while LORs are short and crisp recommendations of ones’ skills described by a superior or mentor to authenticate someone’s achievements by a person in the authority. Many applicants make minor mistakes in their LOR like only highlighting strengths, not being crisp, using flowery language, etc., that resultantly leads to an application’s rejection.

Ironically, many people do the blunders of converting their resumes into a LOR, that straightforwardly propel for the cancellation of applications. BigFuture offers some of the great tips to craft a LOR that speaks volumes about a candidate forthrightly by keeping ample balance of a candidate’s attributes and weaknesses without highlighting anything exaggerating and showcasing aggrandizement.

This is also one of the several reasons why every year, many students prefer to outsource their LORs and motivation writing services to the reputed content agencies. As in the case of SOPs outsourced to content professionals of repute, you should do good efforts to find out genuine and trusted LOR writing service providers. Professional writing services offered by the reputed agencies have been helping tens of thousands of students to land into their preferred universities with newer confidence.

        Types of LORs

On the basis of the requirements of respective Colleges / Universities and or recruiters, there is mainly two types of LORs that you need to understand:

Academic LOR

An academic LOR is a letter that is provided by a teacher, professor or headmaster of your Institute. Many universities ask for multiple LORs for a deeper insight into the student. An academic LOR is supposed to give an insight into the skillset of the student and highlight their accomplishments in a way that supports their candidature.

Professional LOR

A professional letter of recommendation is required by a candidate to either attain a post-graduate degree or a job in any reputed organization. Many MBA universities require two-three years’ prior experience to be suitable for their management programs. For the recruiters, any LOR acts as a tool to validate the credentials in your resume.

Though both academic and professional LORs serve similar purposes, the approach and format for writing them is very much different and require an entirely unique strategy. This is where professional writers and academic mentors serve as a boon to help you structure the most suitable LOR for you to step forward in your career.

Why Do You Need a Letter of Recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a mandatory requirement by almost all universities. This essential tool has the ability to shift the scales of selection towards your favour. If you are considering to submit your application without a LOR, read further.

1.Helps Gain Insights Through Another Person’s Perspective

An LOR letter of recommendation helps your prospective employers or an Institute gain more insights about your capabilities through the eyes of a third person. Skills like dedication, consistency, initiatives, self-discipline, etc., are some qualities that such institutes look for in a candidate. Finding those qualities validated by your superiors add to the chances of your selection.

2.Adds More Value to Your Application

Seeing one or more letters of recommendation in your application will add more weightage to your application. In the case of the Colleges/Universities that haven’t asked for any LOR, having one is still a big plus. This would prove that you are willing to broaden your horizons to prove yourself as an ideal candidate.

3.Validates Your Credentials

When the Academic Officer or an Employer finds the same skills and accomplishments of your application in the LOR, it will further validate your credentials. The selection committee will want to know more about you and will increase your chances of selection.

4.Sign of Your Resourceful Nature

It is also important to ensure who you are acquiring a LOR from. Getting such letters from your Class Teacher will sure as well touch the surface. However, acquiring LORs from the faculties that have a higher position in the Institute like a Counsellor, the Head of the Department, Headmaster, etc., also portrays your resourceful nature. The credentials of who you acquire your LOR from is equally important. If you are a working professional, procuring a LOR for higher management becomes a big plus in your application.

5.Mandatory for the International Students

As per collegevine, LORs play a major role in helping the International students to prepare them for a new dawn in their life to make a perfect career. Several universities make LORs mandatory for the admission application criteria. A minimum of two LORs is a must for the students applying to the Colleges / Universities abroad. Indeed, LORs act as supporting documents while examining the applications of the students concerned.

Summary- Why Ask for a LOR

LORs are always essential needs for the students’ fraternity as well as professionals. A well-structured and professionally written LOR is the one well-received by the prospective institutes, and which increases the probability of your selection.

Over the years, LORs have facilitated the students in reaching out to extra-ordinary heights in attaining excellence by broadening the prospect of their selection. As they say, “the first impression is the last the impression”, this could be your only chance to impress your prospective Institute or employer and convince them for your suitable candidature.

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