Most universities ask for one or two letters of recommendation. Here is what an LOR is, the types you may need, and what a strong recommendation should contain.
What is an LOR?
LOR stands for Letter of Recommendation. It is a letter written by someone who knows you well — academically or professionally — endorsing your abilities and character in support of your application to a university, scholarship or job.
Types of LOR you may need for studying abroad
- Academic LOR: written by a teacher, professor or academic advisor, it supports your application for colleges, universities, scholarships or research positions.
- Professional LOR: a brief document written by a previous employer, supervisor or colleague that highlights an individual's professional skills, work ethic and accomplishments for a job or career opportunity.
Why is an LOR required?
An LOR gives the admissions committee an outside perspective on you. Where your SOP is your own account, the LOR is independent evidence of your abilities — which is why universities value it so highly.
Three key components of an LOR
- A sentence or paragraph describing how the recommender knows you and the span of your relationship.
- An assessment of you and your accomplishments or skills, ideally with brief, specific examples that showcase your qualifications and strengths.
- A summary describing why the recommender endorses you, and to what degree their recommendation extends.
Need help approaching your recommenders or shaping a strong letter? Zenith Educational Services guides you through the whole process of studying abroad — get in touch and we will help you out.
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