LOR Samples for Undergraduate: How to Write LOR for Undergraduate?

1. LORSamplesforUndergraduate:HowtoWriteLOR forUndergraduate? While academic transcripts, essays, letters of motivation or statements of purpose, curriculum vitae and every other document help to provide an overview of a student’s achievements and abilities, LORs allow a more specific perspective of the candidate as an individual. Written from a third-person point of view, LORs carry immense potential in determining admission decisions. Hence it is of utmost importance that a candidateisarmed withstrongLORs forapplication. In this article, we will discuss the importance of letters of recommendation and how to prepare effective LORs fortheadmissionprocess. UnderstandingtheImportanceofLORsinUndergraduate Admissions LORsaresignificantintheadmission processbecausetheyhelptobuildcredibility.Typically, recommendationlettersareprovidedbyeducators,mentors,andteamleaders,mainlyindividualswhohave seen a candidate perform, fail, learn, and grow. Thus, they have the ability to provide unbiased, first-hand reports of both soft and hard skills. This perspective is crucial for the admissions officer to understand a candidate’spotentialforlearningandoverallgrowthbesideshighlightingyourpersonality,professionalism, sincerity, andbehaviour.Hence,LORsformacrucial part oftheentireapplicationprocess. TheAnatomy of anEffectiveLOR ThestructureandkeycomponentsofacompellingLOR: Typically, a LOR should start with the right introduction. The referee must introduce himself/herself in the firstfewlinesvis-à-vishis/herrelationtothe student.He/shemustalsoincludethe totaldurationforwhich

2. he/she has known the student. Besides, all important information such as name of college, organization, subjectstakenandthelikeshouldbeincludedintheintroductoryparagraph.YoucanrefertoLORsamples for yourrelevantprogram. The body should include multiple brief paragraphs that discuss your specific skill sets. These must be personalizedwithproperexamples.Forexample,ifthereferee wantstohighlightthecandidateasaleader, he/she must include a specific situation in which they have showcased leadership potential. This anecdote should ideally be written in the STAR (situation-task-action-result) format for more impact. Without specific instances, these LORs lose relevance and impact. Always personalize the recommendation letter with such briefanecdotes to reflecttheiruniquepersonality. Thereshouldbeatleastoneparagraphdiscussingtheweakness.However,itshouldbeapositiveweakness and should behighlighted as anopportunitytolearn. Thisshouldalso benarratedwith aspecificexample. Intheconcludingparagraph,theperceptionaboutthestudentcanbesummedupandwhyyouthinkhe/she willbeafitfortheprogram. Finally, addyoursignatureandcontact details. CraftingtheLOR:Step-by-StepGuide • Understandingthe applicantandtheirrequirements –Thefirstandmostimportant stepis understanding the applicant and their requirements for the LOR. These requirements will also include the expectations of the program and the applicants’ fit to the same. Hence, it is crucial that you haveworkedwiththecandidateand arein apositiontojustlydiscusshis/herpotential.

3. Planningthestructureofthe LOR–Onceyouhaveacceptedtheapplicant’srequest,invitehim/her to a discussion. This will help you understand the key points in his/her profile more distinctly. Moreover, research the program and the school that the student is applying to and try to align the student’s skills totheprogram’s expectations andtheschool’s values. • Crafting the content of the LOR – Based on the pointers collected from the exercise above, draft theLOR.Includespecificexamples tohighlight thestudent’sstrengthsandachievements. • Reviewing and revising the LOR for clarity and persuasiveness – Always proofread your letter for anyspelling orgrammarissues andcontinuityerrors. Ensurethattheletter communicates credibility and makesaclearpointoftheapplicant’sfittotheprogram. • SpecialConsiderations forMSApplicants • LOR for masters programs need to be more specific from the academic point of view. Thus, you need to highlight not only the student’s fit to the program but also the relevance of the program for the student. Discussing the academic prowess of the MS program for the student’s academic advancement is necessary forLORs.Todiscussthesame,talkaboutthestudent’sacademicperformanceinclassaswellasinproject work.Youcanevendiscusshis/herareasofspecificstrengths.Youmayalsohighlightanyextracourses or certification programs that the student may have taken to showcase seriousness and aspiration. A LOR sample for MS would indicate the student’s percentage stand in class, the courses taken as part of the curriculum or voluntarily, projects worked on, seminars participated in, internships worked at, and field trips attended among other such qualities. However, do not merely list these activities. Through each example, focus on thestudent’spotential forsuccessatthetarget school. • LOR Samplesfor MSinUSA • TheLORforMSinUSAneedstoincludeafewstandardpoints.Firstly,therecommendationlettershould emphasize a student’s English language proficiency. Thus the LOR sample for MS in USA will typically demonstrate this trait by mentioning that the medium of instruction at the given college was English, that they presented papers at some intra and/or inter-college events, or were an active participant in any events thatrequiredthemtoexercisetheiroratoryskills.Iftheyhaveinternshipexperiencesorareemployed,they canalsousesituationssuchasinteractingwithglobaland/ornationalteamstodemonstratetheirstronghold over theEnglishlanguage. • Additionally, you will have to include examples to show that they are adaptable and can work in multiple situations. The apt way to show the same is by suggesting that they have worked with teams across time zones or with cross-functional teams or managed teams across departments in college. Similarly, you can talk about challenging situations that require them to step out of their comfort zone. At the same time, a LOR sample for MS in USA should definitely include situations where they have demonstrated inclusivity andculturalawareness.Thesepointsarecrucialtoshowcaseaglobalmindsetandconsequently,theirability to fitinwith and contributeto aglobalcohort. • Lastly,asyoutalk aboutsuchinvolvements andabilitiesofthestudent,alwaysremembertoshowhowthe studentwillalsocontinuewithsimilarendeavoursduringhis/hertimepursuingMSinUSA,contributing to theuniversity’s culturalethos. • LOR Samplesfor MSinCS • While the aforementioned points are specific to LOR samples for MS in USA, there are a few particular pointsthatyouneedtokeepinmindwhiledraftingyourletterofrecommendationforCSprograms.ALOR

4. sample for MS in CS thus necessitates the inclusion of relevant technical skills. Talk about the courses in their undergraduate/graduate curriculum, any online course or certification programs undertaken, and projects worked on that required the implementation of necessary programs and tools. Emphasizing an acquaintancewithrelevanttechnicaltoolsis crucialin aLORforCSprograms. • Next, show the aptitude for creativity and innovation. The field of technology is ever-evolving and thus innovationformsitsmedianforce.Demonstratinginstanceswheretheyhavethoughtoutoftheboxtosolve a challenge or resolve a situation, designed an innovative product, or presented a fresh perspective on completing a project will help make a strong recommendation letter for applying to CS programs. At the same time, you will have to highlight their ability to communicate ideas freely and efficiently. This can be portrayed by highlighting instances of presentations or participationin seminars and thelike. • Similarly, the domain of technology is multifaceted and it necessitates the ability to work seamlessly in teams. You also need to showcase their promptness for accepting new ideas and perspectives, taking up challenges, andperformingin teams.Leadership and communicationskillscomein handyin such situations.Hence, depictsuchinstancestoprepareawinningapplicationforyourCSprograms. • CommonPitfalls andHow to AvoidThem • Avoiding genericorimpersonalLORs -Thisis themostcommon mistakein craftinga recommendation letter. You may include several aspects but without specific examples backing your claims, the LOR loses significance as an application element. A generic LOR does not talk aboutyou, and thus, does notholdits relevance. • Balancing academic achievements with personal qualities - Do not fill your recommendation letter withacademicachievementsonly.Alwaysbalancetechnicalskills with softskillsevenfor programs suchas computerscienceorany oftheSTEM programs. • Using the same example - Recommendation letters are supposed to be submitted by different referees. Hence, no two LORs can be the same. However, the same instance may be used to highlightdifferentskillsets by two referees. • Proofreadingandavoidingerrorsortypos -Alwaysproofreadyour workbeforefinalizingit.LORs also needto showcasetheircommunicationskillsandiftheletterisfraughtwith errors, grammatical or otherwise, it will lose credibility. Either way, it is always a good practice to proofreadyourwork beforesubmission. • Ethical andLegalConsiderationsinLORWriting • Ensuring honesty and accuracy in the LOR - That LORs represent credibility is a point that cannot be stressed enough. Honesty and accuracy of information being provided in the recommendation letters are of great importance. A single individual cannot possess all abilities, hence highlight the ones thattrulyresonateswiththecandidate. • Respecting confidentiality – Do not use any story that the applicant may not be comfortable with sharing. At the same time, while mentioning projects and the like, do respect confidentiality and avoidunnecessary mention oftheparticipatingindividuals. • Avoiding discriminatory language or bias – LORs are supposed to be a third-person view of a candidate’s skills and achievements. Hence, these should be unbiased. That is the main point of a recommendationletter–anunbiasedperspectiveofaperson.Avoidsuchlanguagewhereitmay

5. show that the referee is biased or demonstrate a personal relationship that may influence the recommendation letter. • FinalizingtheLOR:Proofreading,Formatting,andSubmission • Proofreading for grammatical errors and typos – As stressed above, always proofread your letters ofrecommendationbeforesubmission.Arecommendationletterfraughtwithspellingerrors,typos, orgrammaticalmistakeswillloseimpact. • Formattingthe LORprofessionally –Allofficialdocumentsshouldalways beformatted professionally. Use narrow margins, a standard font, font size, and font colour, and use uniform linespacing.Ensurethatthesignaturefollowsastraightmarginandallboldoritalicsareuniformly used throughout. • Submitting the LOR according to university specifications – If the candidate is applying to many schools, each may have its own specific requirements in terms of signature, formatting particulars, word limit, content, submission details and the like. Make sure that you go through each of these requirements and makethenecessaryadjustmentsto eachofyourdocuments. • The importance of a well-crafted LOR in enhancing an applicant's chances of admission is undeniable. Amidst all essays, transcripts, and certificates highlighting academic achievements, a recommendation letter is the only impersonal document that duly talks about a person. Hence, invest the necessary time and effortincraftingawinningrecommendationletter.Incaseofassistance,ouradvisorsandeditorsatManya • ThePrinceton Review can help to know moreabout craftingstrongLORs. • FAQs • AreLORsimportant? • A: Yes, LORs are an important part of theapplication process. They present an impersonal perspective and highlight the candidate as a person – defining strengths, weaknesses, personality, and behaviour. • Whatshould a LORforUSA include? • A: A LOR sample for USA should emphasize English Language Proficiency, adaptability, global mindset, and the ability for inclusivity in addition to leadership skills, team working abilities, and academicachievementsamong others. • Whatcan Iwritein aLORforMSin CS? • A: If you look at any LOR sample for MS in CS, you will see that it includes technical skill sets, creativeabilities,problem-solvingskills,communicationproficiency,teamworkskills, and adaptability among otherskills and achievements. • Whatshould IwriteinanLOR? • A: If you pick up any LOR sample, you will see that it discusses the applicant’s strengths and achievementsbackedbyrelevantandspecificexamplesthataddcredibilitytothedocument.These include both academic and non-academic skills. Besides, you will also have to indicate the fit for theprogramthatthecandidateisapplying for. • Whatshould Inotwritein anLOR? • A: LOR should never showcase bias. LORs are impersonal documents and any form of bias may leadtodirectrejectionoftheapplication.Also,donotsubmitaLORfraughtwithgrammaticaland

6. typologicalerrors.Additionally,alwaysbackyourclaimswithproperexamples.AgenericLOR does nothaveany impacton theapplicationprocess.