Academic LOR (Letter of Recommendation) - Samples, Formats, and Tips

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is an important document that you need to submit to the university you apply to abroad. As the name suggests, it is a recommendation of your academic and professional background by someone who knows you closely, preferably someone in authority. You could request an LOR from a former teacher, colleague, or boss. It highlights your achievements in your line of study or work and makes an impression on the admissions committee of the applied university. 

What is an Academic Letter of Recommendation (LOR)?

As the name suggests, an academic LOR is a recommendation written by a member of the faculty of the student's current or previous study institution. It highlights the student's academic milestones in their field of study, potential qualities, and character traits. The LOR also validates how the student stands out from their peers. The document is of immense significance in the admission application process for universities, scholarships, or research positions for higher education abroad.

A well-crafted and compelling LOR has the potential to leave an impressive mark on the admission committee reviewing the student's application. It gives them a fair idea of the candidate's strengths and abilities. It also highlights the student's personality traits and how well they interact with peers or in groups. 

An academic letter of recommendation sample is also included here.

What are the Components of an Academic LOR?

If a student has asked you to provide an LOR to boost their chances at admission into an international university, it would be helpful to understand the key components of an ideal LOR. Additionally, you may take help from the Academic LOR samples for MS courses outlined later in this article. 

• Sender's Details: Start your Academic LOR by introducing yourself (recommender) to the admissions committee of the university you are writing to. Make sure to highlight your credentials and your relationship with the applicant. 

• Brief Introduction: After stating who you are and your purpose for writing the LOR, craft a strong opening statement that would capture the committee's attention. An impressive opening would keep the reader engaged to read through the remaining letter.

• Body of the LOR: Divide the body of your letter into the following paragraphs. Keep them short and crisp, stating the precise details in each as required.

• First Paragraph: Explain to the committee in detail the capacity in which you know the applicant. Define the duration of your acquaintance and whether you had a chance to study or work with the student.

• Middle Paragraphs: The subsequent paragraphs of your Academic LOR can be used to highlight the applicant's academic achievements, research experiences, leadership qualities, personal attributes, and specific examples that demonstrate these qualities.

• Closing Paragraph: In the last paragraph, endorse the applicant’s candidature and potential for success in the desired academic program or scholarship.

• Conclusion: Close the letter seeking a positive response or support from the committee and providing contact information for follow-up.  

How to Draft an Academic LOR?

You would need a specific format to draft a perfect Academic LOR that is acceptable by the university or research institution to which you must submit. Listed below are a few pointers that can help draft an Academic LOR:

• Customise your letter to specific requirements: Every LOR cannot be used uniformly for every university or study program that your applicant has applied for. You may need to customise it to suit the specific program or scholarship that the applicant is targeting. 

• Keep the tone positive: The language of the letter should be professional and formal, and the tone of the content should be positive and courteous throughout.

• Stick to the recommended length and format: The average recommended length of an Academic LOR is around 400-500 words. Make sure that you stick to the specified length and avoid making the document wordy or too lengthy. Complying with the formatting guidelines is equally important to ensure readability and professionalism. Draft your LOR on an A4-size sheet of paper with a font size of 11 or 12. Keep the font colour black against a white background and ensure adequate spacing between lines and paragraphs. 

What are the Key Qualities to Highlight in an Academic LOR?

While following the Academic LOR format detailed above, it would be helpful to highlight a few key pointers to captivate the admissions committee's attention. Some of the most important ones include:

• Impressive academic background: This is the foremost achievement of your applicant, so make sure to give adequate weightage to it in your LOR. Highlight the courses and certifications completed and the grades (if available).

• Research and analytical skills: This is particularly important for all academic and research positions. Talking about in your LOR would let the committee know of the candidate’s potential abilities and qualities.

• Creativity and problem-solving: This is yet another positive characteristic trait that universities look out for in potential candidates. Highlight some creative works that the applicant may have to their name - a research project or a work of literature. Also, their ability to handle complex problems and find innovative solutions to those would be a commendable trait.

• Leadership and teamwork: Good leaders are always in high demand in businesses. If your applicant has the potential to become a successful leader and is a team player, they stand a chance at bright career prospects. Do mention it in your LOR.

• Determination and ethical standards: Make sure to portray the candidate as determined and someone who aspires to achieve what they put their mind to. A mention of the high ethical standards and principles they follow in life would also leave a positive impression on the admissions committee.

Tips for Requesting an Academic LOR

Before you proceed to choose a recommender who can craft the perfect and compelling LOR for your application to the desired international university, it is important to bear the following in mind. These tips can help choose the best recommender for your Academic LOR and boost your chances of success. 

• Approach former professors or teaching faculty: When deciding whom to choose for writing your LOR, go with someone who has personally taught you the subject that you are applying to the international university. It could be a current or previous professor at college, a teacher or guest faculty at the university back home (in case of graduate courses), or a project/research mentor who trained you directly. They would have a much clearer picture of what you do and how you did it.

• Prepare your recommender: Once you have selected the person to write an LOR for you, it's time to prepare them for the process. Provide your latest updated resume with details on key academic and professional achievements. 

Also, provide a copy of your Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose (SOP) that you are attaching to your university application. It will give the recommender a deeper insight into your past background and future aspirations. Lastly, remember to provide details of the course you are applying for at the university as well as any scholarship programs that you may have availed of.   

• Keep it polite: When requesting a recommender to help you provide an Academic LOR for your university/research application, be courteous. Remember that you are asking for a favour from another person and that it can help boost your chances of successful admission at the desired university. Moreover, ensure you give the recommender sufficient time to prepare and draft the letter.

Do’s and Don’ts of Writing an Academic LOR

Since a LOR has immense potential to boost an applicant's chances of successful admission, it is important to take particular care in drafting it. The table below summarises the key pointers to include to make the LOR impactful and relevant and the common mistakes to avoid that could undermine the applicant's chances at admission.

Samples of Academic LOR for Students 

To give you a clearer idea of what a Letter of Recommendation should look like, we present here a few sample Academic LORs for students at different stages of higher education. 

Disclaimer: The samples are to be used for reference purposes only. Please avoid using them as is for fear of your application being rejected on account of plagiarism.

Sample Academic LOR for Undergraduate Studies

To whomsoever it may concern,

As a teacher of Economics at Christ School, Bangalore, for 17 years, I know Amit Gupta as a brilliant alumnus. I was his Physics teacher for 3 years at Christ School, where Amit pursued and completed his 10+2. 

I feel honoured to write this Letter of Recommendation for Amit, who has applied for a Bachelor's degree, BA Economics (Hons), at your esteemed university for the academic year 2024-25. Amit has always been extraordinarily brilliant in Economics while displaying equal academic potential in other subjects as well. 

Economics was not only his favourite subject; he made special efforts to dive deeper into the realm of knowledge and gain valuable insights into how to apply the learnings to everyday life. In the classroom, Amit would always come up with insightful examples of GDP, the demand-supply chain, and its potential impact on the global economy in general.

Apart from being brilliant in the academic arena, Amit displayed equal vigour and enthusiasm in all extracurricular activities as well. He was always enthusiastic about school plays, dance and music competitions, literary festivals, and inter-school quiz competitions. He has been the proud inter-school quiz winner for two consecutive years. 

I have always known Amit as a sincere and hard-working student determined to achieve what he puts his mind to. With his batchmates, he came across as helpful, polite, and kind. I am 100% confident that Amit would do exceedingly well in his new endeavour at your university. With the sincere hope for a positive response from your university on considering Amit's candidature for BA Economics (Hons), I humbly sign off. 

I Wish Amit all the success in his new chapter of life. If you wish to know any other information about him, please do not hesitate to contact me at the number. 

Yours sincerely,

Name

Designation

School

Phone no         

For Graduate Studies

Respected Sir/Ma’am,

I, Ms. Paul, am hereby writing a letter of recommendation for Sakshi Sinha, who has applied to your esteemed university for a Master of Research in Psychology. I have known Sakshi for 3 years in the capacity of her Psychology teacher at the University of Delhi, where she completed her BSc in Psychology, majoring in Human Behavioural Science.

Ever since the first class I taught Sakshi, I was absolutely impressed by her already commendable knowledge of the basic principles of psychology. In awe of her intellectual curiosity, I enquired about the reason for her extensive knowledge in the area. She humbly replied that psychology as a subject always fascinated her, and hence, she had started reading books on human psychology at an age when kids her age were reading fiction. 

It is this enthusiasm and a yearning to learn more and dive deeper into how the human mind works that Sakshi has decided to take up a graduate research program in human psychology at your privileged institution. Sakshi's most prized skill is her ability to research concepts, dissect complex problems, and articulate them in an easy-to-understand language for her audience. This, coupled with her stellar academic background of having attained First class in her undergraduate degree, leaves me no doubt that Sakshi would indeed make me and the University of Delhi proud in her research program at your institution.

I very gratefully thank you for your valuable time in reading through this letter. I sincerely request you to please consider Sakshi's candidature for admission to your university. She truly has the potential to be a valuable asset to any organisation, and Sakshi is now completely ready for advanced study in the subject. With a keen hope of receiving a positive response, 

Yours truly,

Kindest regards,

Name of the recommender

Designation 

University 

Phone number

For PhD Candidates

To the Dean,

ABC University,

To whomsoever it may concern,

I, Atul Kapoor, am highly pleased to recommend Dhruv Dixit for the PhD program (name) at your esteemed university. I worked with Dhruv at (University Name) for (duration) on a project on (name of the project). Dhruv is now interested and ready to move on to the next stage of his academic journey and pursue a PhD in (program name). I truly support him in his endeavour and give him my best through this recommendation.

While working with Dhruv on the (project name), I have known him as extremely innovative with a desire to find out what he puts his mind to. He made original contributions to the field of (project) and was successful in determining unique solutions to the problem of (concerning the project) that impacts the entire world in general.

However, with Dhruv’s findings in the area, we can definitely hope to make progress and possibly a much-awaited breakthrough in this field. I have unwavering faith in Dhruv’s research skills, a keen eye for detail, a thirst for deeper findings, and his go-getter attitude, all of which will go a long way in defining his success trajectory. 

Besides, he is a beautiful human being with a kind heart for humanity. I have always seen Dhruv empathetic towards the global issues that concern the common man today and his drive to make a small contribution in the area by doing his bit. This is why I undoubtedly see a potential famed scholar in him and have complete trust in his abilities and determination to manifest his dream of becoming a future scholar.

I have complete faith that Dhruv will prove to be a valued asset to your privileged institution, and the learnings derived from his research program at your university will be used for the greater good of the community. I therefore humbly yet strongly recommend Dhruv's name for the Ph.D. application at (university name).

If you have any more questions about Dhruv's candidature, please don't hesitate to call me at (number).

Thanking you with warm regards,

Atul Kapoor 

Project Coordinator

(Project Name)

(Name of study institution)  

For Scholarships

Respected Sir/Ma’am,

I, Ms. Sahni, am writing a letter of recommendation in support of Ms. Smriti Kumar’s request for a scholarship to pursue a study program in Political Science at your renowned university in the USA. 

I have directly mentored Smriti during her brief internship with XYZ Enterprises in Mumbai from Apr 2022 - May 2024 in the capacity of a Group Manager. During these two years, I have had the privilege of knowing Smriti closely and working with her on multifarious projects. 

I have always seen Smriti as a person of strong calibre and personal strength. She is a hard worker and delivers top quality in all her projects every single time. Smriti is her best critic and reviewer of her work. This helps her to keep pushing herself forward every step of the way and gain greater heights in the area of work she desires to excel in.

Smriti possesses excellent leadership qualities. This is why, within two months of her joining the company, I could see her potential to lead the team well, and I promoted her to the role of Team Lead at XYZ Enterprises. In this role, too, Smiti delivered her very best, taking her team along and moving towards higher pinnacles of success at the company.

The best thing about Smriti is that she never tires herself from learning more every day. This explains her ardent desire to pursue this course at your esteemed university. When she told me about it, I was only too happy to support her dream, for I knew she dreams big and achieves bigger.

With the support she needs from the scholarship program at your university, Smriti will get the necessary push in her academic and career path. I have no doubts whatsoever in claiming that Smriti is indeed the ideal candidate for the scholarship program at your recognised university. I therefore graciously request you to kindly consider and accept Smriti's candidature for the scholarship.

If there's anything else you'd like me to clarify or add to this letter, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Warmest regards,

Geeta Sahni

Group Manager   

XYZ Enterprises

Note: Need help with drafting a winning academic LOR for your application? IDP expert education consultants can help. Connect with our team today!

FAQs About Academic LOR

1. What is the use of an LOR?

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is an important document that recommends the student or applicant to the admissions committee by highlighting his/her academic merits and personal traits.

2. How to write my LOR samples for studying abroad?

You may follow the simple format and guidelines detailed in this article for writing the perfect LOR for your application. Alternatively, you may get in touch with one of IDP’s expert consultants for complete support in drafting an LOR.

3. Why are letters of recommendation important for studying abroad?

Admission abroad is challenging and highly competitive. A Letter of Recommendation from a person in a position of authority can greatly boost the applicant's chances of admission to the applied university.

4. How long should a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) be?

An ideal LOR should be between 300 and 350 words long, clearly divided into short, easy-to-read paragraphs.

5. How do I make my recommendation letter stand out?

Try to include specific examples of academic or professional achievements of the student in the letter, particularly highlighting how their achievements are distinct from those of their peers.