Sample Letter of Recommendation or LOR for MS Abroad

What’s covered in this article?

1. Formatting the LOR
2. A sample LOR for MS
3. What are some traits, skills and qualities that should be highlighted in an LOR?
4. What to include in sample LORs for different subjects
5. Whom to ask for an LOR
6. How to ask for an LOR
7. FAQ

Studying abroad requires candidates to get several documents in order, to complete their application. One of the documents in the LOR or a Letter of Recommendation. It is a letter written by a referee explaining their reasons for recommending you for a course.

What makes an LOR unique is the skills and accomplishments that the referee chooses to highlight. This should vary based on the courses you are applying to. It is ideal if the points mentioned vary from one recommendation letter to another because different people will have different opinions about you. What they think is relevant should find a place in the recommendation letter. However, the basic structure of the LOR can remain the same.

Formatting the LOR

Points to keep in mind about the format of an LOR:

Font: Use any formal font. Some examples include Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica

Font size: Use a standard font size. A 10-point to 12-point font size will be good.

Font colour: Black

Word count/length: Though there is no set word limit, it is best to limit the recommendation letter to one page. 400 – 500 words would be ideal.

Structure: The LOR should have a proper structure. It should have an introduction and a couple of paragraphs followed by a conclusion. More on that below.

Other details: Ensure that the lines are spaced neatly. A line spacing of 1.15 will look neat. There should be enough white space around the content.

Structure of an LOR

From the first paragraph, the admission committee should be able to understand the relationship between the referee and you. Some information on the referee’s designation, how long they have known you and how well they know you can be added to this paragraph. A line identifying the candidate and the course they are applying for is also required.

 In the next two paragraphs, the referee can talk about their evaluation of you. Your achievements, character, skills, expertise and intellectual ability should also be mentioned. Any other qualification, voluntary activities etc. can be added too.

The final paragraph should be more of a summary of the referee’s reasons for recommending the candidate for the university programme. They can conclude by reiterating their recommendation.

Tip: An effective LOR will develop the admission committee’s confidence in the candidate. They should feel that the recommended student is a promising candidate for the university. The referee’s assessment should be supported by evidence.

Sample Letter of Recommendation for MS abroad

Here is a basic LOR to support your application for an MS course abroad.

29 November 2022

Chennai

Dear Admission Committee,

I am a professor of [subject] at [college name] in Eranakulam, Kerala. It is my pleasure to recommend [student name], a second-year undergraduate student of [course name] for the prestigious [prospective course name] course offered by the [university name], [place]. I am a [qualification of the referee] in [subject] and have X years of experience imparting my knowledge to students. I have been [first name of the student]’s [subject] professor for the last 2 years and will continue to teach her in her final year of college too. I have seen her/him develop an immense interest in pursuing [the subject] for her higher studies. [Student’s first name] is ambitious and self-motivated, and I would highly recommend her for [course name]course at your institution. I have no doubt that a person as motivated and responsible as her will be successful in all her endeavours.

He/she has always demonstrated [skills] and was an outstanding student in terms of academic performance. He/she was open to feedback and took initiative to improve herself/himself to eventually excel at what he/she does. [Add an example to validate this claim]. The best part about [student name] that I would like to highlight is the consistency in the hard work she puts in. I have also been impressed by her leadership skills which were evident in the way she led the group project done during the second year of college. She shows particular interest in helping his/her peers get better at their studies.

[Student name] was also part of the student committee for two consecutive years. I particularly remember an instance when he/she [any instance when the student proved their skills/knowledge]. For his/her undergraduate project, he/she worked on [topic]. Though it was a difficult theme, she and her team were able to [results] ahead of the stipulated time.  She/he was an active participant in volunteering activities too.

[Student] has always been part of several extracurricular activities. She/he has won prizes for [mention any events were prizes were won]. I believe his/her self-discipline, dedication and an inquisitive mind are his/her biggest assets that ensure continued success in whatever she/he does. I strongly recommend [student] for the [course name] course offered by your institution and I wish her/him all the best.

Thanks and regards,

Name

Signature

Email address

Phone number

What are some traits, skills and qualities that should be highlighted in an LOR?

If you are a referee, ask yourself these questions to help you decide what to add to the LOR:

• Does the candidate possess leadership skills?
• Does the candidate have good communication skills?
• Does the candidate have problem-solving skills?
• Is the candidate a good team player?
• Does the candidate have the right attitude to challenges and setbacks?
• What positive personality traits did they exhibit during their interactions with me?
• What are their skills and expertise that match this course?

Once you have the answers, you can start working on the LOR.

Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for studying MS in Computer Science abroad

Some aspects that should be highlighted in the LOR include:

• The candidate’s analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Passion for the subject
• Any project they have undertaken
• Their technical knowledge
• The candidate’s aspirations that the referee believes in.

Click to download the LOR written by a professor for a student looking to study MS in Computer Science abroad. [PDF, 78KB]

Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for studying MS in Analytical Chemistry

Some aspects that should be mentioned in the LOR include:

• The candidate’s strong theoretical knowledge of analytical techniques
• Teamwork skills
• Inquisitiveness
• Passion for the subject
• Ability and interest to find solutions to problems
• Any related projects they have undertaken
• Their contributions to the success of the firm they worked at

Click to download the LOR written by an employer for an employee looking to study MS in Analytical Chemistry abroad. [PDF, 77KB]

Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for studying MS in Chemical Engineering abroad

Here are some aspects of the candidate that should be highlighted in the LOR:

• Passion for the subject
• Strong theoretical knowledge
• Strong knowledge of the basics
• Problem-solving skills
• Mathematic skills
• Ingenuity

Sample LOR written by an employer for an employee looking to study Chemical Engineering abroad. [PDF, 76KB]

Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for studying MS in Electronic Engineering abroad

Some aspects of the candidate that should be highlighted in the LOR include:

• Critical thinking skills
• Mathematic skills
• Time management skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Being innovative

Sample LOR written by a professor for a student looking to study Electronic Engineering abroad. [PDF, 75KB]

Whom to ask for an LOR?

You can pick your recommender based on:

• Your association with your referee
• How well they know you
• Their willingness to write an LOR for you

A person who knows you for the longest time need not be the ideal person to write an LOR. If the person is a well-wisher and has closely seen how you grew over the years, then they would be an ideal referee. Learn more about whom to ask for an LOR.

How to ask for an LOR?

After you decide whom to ask for an LOR, the next step is to reach out to them.

• If it is someone with hectic schedules, it is best to get an appointment to speak to them in person.
• If meeting in person is difficult, the next best thing to do is to pick up the phone and speak to them. Meeting in person or speaking over the phone will give you an opportunity to talk about your dreams and aspirations. It will guide the recommender as they type out the LOR.
• Whether you contact them virtually or in-person, it would be best to send a follow-up email reiterating what you want to study abroad and why.
• Finally, check with them whether they are willing to write an LOR for you. You need a definite response as the success of your application depends on your LOR too.

It is only right to invest some time and effort in getting an effective LOR from the right person.

FAQs on getting an LOR for higher studies

Does the LOR requirement vary across universities?

Yes, universities might set different requirements for LOR submissions. Some might insist that the student should not get to read the LOR. They might also ask for LORs to be submitted in a specific format. Some institutions ask for more than 2 LORs while some others are not very keen on getting recommendation letters. Some institutions ask for LORs from specific people; say, professors from your college.

Since no two universities are the same, it is best to check with the university and understand their requirements before you go ahead and contact referees for writing an LOR for you to study abroad.

Can you study abroad without an LOR?

Very few institutions admit students without an LOR. You can research such institutions and apply to their courses. We would recommend that you take the effort to get an effective LOR rather than finding an institution that does not ask for an LOR.

Is LOR required for studying MS abroad?

Yes, a majority of universities abroad require that the candidates submit LORs.

Whom should I ask for an LOR to study abroad?

See whether the university has requested you to submit an LOR from a specific person, like a manager in your organization. Else, you can get an LOR written by your teachers, professors, mentors or principal. If you were employed, you can ask your colleagues or managers for an LOR. Do check out our article on whom to ask for an LOR.