LOR – HECS

Letter of Recommendation

When you are applying to study abroad, you must submit your Letter of Recommendation (LOR) along with your application. Your superiors must write a detailed and impressive LOR to add focus to your application.

This will throw more light on your past experiences from the viewpoint of your mentor/professor/supervisor to the admission committee. A LOR is different from your resume or portfolio. A LOR is much more comprehensive than a simple testimonial and it is an efficient way to highlight impactful information about your past years.

A weak or a faint LOR is majorly a cause for refusing applications. Therefore, it is extremely essential to have a powerful LOR to increase the chances of your acceptance rate.

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF AN EFFECTIVE LOR?

There are a few strict guidelines that make a good LOR a great one. Following these guidelines accurately will directly impact the admission committee’s perspectives of you. So when you request a person to write you a LOR, ensure they follow this structure:

1st Paragraph

Establish the nature of association between the student and the recommender.

2nd Paragraph

Talk about the potential strengths and qualities of the student that will be helpful for the chosen course.

3rd Paragraph

Mention factual scenarios stating the student’s abilities and dedication towards meeting goals.

4th Paragraph

Conclusively, describe how the student will be a perfect fit for the course he or she is applying for.

5th Paragraph

Provide contact details of the recommender for further assistance.

Points to Note While Writing a LOR

Emphasise the recommender’s observations being direct. It is always more valuable when your recommender has directly interacted with you and possess an in-depth understanding of your abilities. For example, ‘The student has worked alongside me during the course of [project details]’ adds more value than, ‘I have observed the student work in a group doing [project details]’.
Mention accurate assessments of your performance and your potential for the chosen course. For example, mention your performance details like your overall rank out of the whole strength in a subject that is relevant to the course you are applying to. Adding statistics like ‘Top 3’ adds high credibility to your LOR.
Refrain from adding repetitive content. Don’t add test scores that are already available on your application. Give the admission committee a deeper insight into your abilities.

Don’t add sensitive or private information unless absolutely necessary and relevant.
Highlight qualities that are unique and enable you to stand out from the crowd. Point out your unique contributions and positively impactful changes along with your learnings and growth. Comparison information enhances your LOR when provided with instances of true context.
Keep your LOR short, crisp and to the point.

A well-written and powerful LOR is as important as anything else in your application process. Be careful of who you select to write a LOR for you and ensure they are in a designation of value and authority. Also, explain in detail to your recommender about your course details before they begin writing the LOR. To answer any further queries, reach out to your HECS consultants who are always prepared to guide you.