Many students underestimate the importance of a good letter of recommendation, but
admissions committees take it very seriously. Hence, here are some steps for securing
that standout LOR:
1. Choosing the Right Recommender: Universities have varying preferences; some
prefer
professional LORs, while others favor academic ones. Make sure to speak with alumni to
understand your target university's preferences.
2. Contact them well in advance and explain the process to them: Let your
recommender
know that you’ll be requiring an LOR from them, ideally 1-2 months in advance. This way,
they know that you respect their time. Don’t wait until one week before the deadline to
ask them about the same.
Also, the current format that universities follow simply requires you to submit the
email of the recommender in the application form. The university then sends an email to
the recommender that contains a link to submit the LOR. It’s not the traditional format
where you’re required to get an LOR on the letterhead. Brief the recommender about this
procedure so that any doubts they have are cleared out well in advance.
3. Crafting the Content: Some recommenders are comfortable with the student
sending them
a template that they can use. If so, ensure that your recommender either validates and
elaborates on the significant achievements already mentioned in the CV or adds unique
experiences not mentioned in the application. If they wish to self-write, choose someone
who knows you well and can write a detailed, personalized LOR. Generic LORs won't make
the cut.
4. Maintain good relations: Make sure you’re on good terms with the recommender
(at
least until the LOR is submitted lol). Keep sending gentle reminders and updating them
about when they can expect the email from the university. Express gratitude for their
support, both before and after they submit the LOR.
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