Sample Letter of Recommendation or LOR for MBA abroad

What’s covered in this article?

1. How to write an MBA recommendation Letter: LOR Format
2. How to write an MBA recommendation Letter: LOR Structure
3. Important tips for writing LORs for MBA
4. What information should be included in your MBA LOR
5. MBA Recommendation Letter sample
6. Downloadable sample LOR for MBA abroad
7. Who should write you an MBA recommendation letter
8. FAQ

Are you getting ready to file your applications to foreign universities? As you work on your application, you will need to gather several documents, including Letters of Recommendation (LORs). Most universities ask for 2 or more LORs and some might also specify who the referee should be.

An LOR is a letter written by someone who has first-hand knowledge about your qualifications and skills and is willing to recommend you for a specific program or course. The content of the LOR should focus on your skills and accomplishments, but it's important to note that different people may have different perspectives on what they believe is most relevant to highlight in the letter. While the overall structure of an LOR may remain consistent, the specific points mentioned in the letter should vary based on the program or course you are applying to.

How to write an MBA recommendation letter or LOR: The format

When you draft an LOR, the formatting is as crucial as the content of the LOR. It is the style and format of the LOR that makes the first impression. A well-written, but poorly formatted LOR will not be useful. Here are some formatting guidelines to consider when you write an LOR:

• Use a formal font such as Arial or Calibri
• Use standard font size
• It is best to stick to the standard black for your font colour
• A one-page letter, not more than 400 – 500 words should be ideal
• It should be structured into different paragraphs including an introduction, body and conclusion/closing statements.
• Use neat white spacing. A line space of 1.15 with decent white space around the content will make it look neat and legible.

How to write an MBA recommendation letter or LOR: The structure

An LOR should have a proper structure, with an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

• The introduction section of the LOR is to establish the relationship between the referee and the candidate. It should include information about the referee – their name and designation. It should convey how long and how well they know the candidate. Also add a line about the course or programme the candidate is applying for.
• The body of the LOR can have two or more short paragraphs. These passages should focus on the referee’s evaluation of the candidate. This is also the section where the candidate’s character, skills, accomplishments, expertise and intellectual ability are highlighted. Any other relevant qualifications and voluntary activities undertaken by the candidate can also be mentioned here. Make sure that any skillset mentioned is backed by evidence.
• The final paragraph should provide a summary of the reasons why the referee thinks the candidate is apt for the course. This place should be used for reiterating their recommendation and expressing their confidence in the candidate.

Important tips for writing LORs for MBA

Here’s a checklist to identify a good MBA LOR.

1. It clearly talks about the student's/candidate's and referee's relationship
2. It highlights the candidate's skills and accomplishments
3. It meets the format and structure requirements
4. It provides evidence to support the referee's evaluation of the candidate
5. It talks about specific projects and achievements that demonstrate the candidate's abilities
6. It is tailored to the specific course/programme that the student is applying to
7. There are no grammar issues
8. It is easy to read
9. It is concise
10. It should clearly convey the referee's strong recommendation for the candidate.

On the whole, an effective LOR is one which makes the admission committee feel confident in the candidate’s potential to succeed in the chosen programme.

What information should be included in your MBA LOR

If you look up on the internet for the skills required for an MBA student, you will get a long list of skills. While it might not be possible to check all the boxes, there are some crucial traits, skills and qualities that institutions and organisations might be looking for in an MBA candidate. Here are some which should be highlighted in the LOR:

• Leadership skills: If you have headed projects or any other activities that showcased your leadership skills, it should be highlighted in the LOR. If there aren’t any academic projects to mention, you could even talk about voluntary activities or extracurricular events that were led and managed by you.
• Teamwork: As much as it is necessary to showcase your leadership skills, it is important that you are a team player.
• Communication skills: One of the important skills necessary for a candidate looking to get into the business field is communication skills. If you have received accolades for your oratory skills or proved yourself in group discussions, your referee should highlight these in the LOR.
• Time management: As an MBA student, you might have multiple tasks to handle. If you have already proved yourself in this arena, it will be of great value to highlight this in your LOR.
• Academic achievements: If you excel in academics, it is good to mention it in the LOR even though your certificates and academic documents convey this.
• Analytical thinking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Decision-making skills
• Negotiation skills
• Adaptability etc.

MBA Recommendation letter sample

Here is a basic LOR that candidates and referees could use for reference while working on your university application:

19 December 2022

Delhi

Dear Admission Committee,

It is my pleasure to recommend [student name] for admission to the prestigious [prospective course name] course offered by the [university name]. I am a professor of [subject] at [college name], [place], for the past X years and [student name] has been my student for the past 2 years.

In the last 2 years, [student’s first name] has impressed me with his/her dedication to her studies and his/her entrepreneurial spirit. She/he is swift at coming up with innovative business ideas during class discussions and is equally good at developing elaborate plans to support his/her ideas. He/she is also a good team player who can as easily jump into the role of a leader when the need arises, as demonstrated during her participation in the second-year group projects assigned by me.

 [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 him/her will be successful in all their endeavours.

[Student name] was also part of the college debate team stunning the audience with his/her quick thinking and problem-solving skills. [Add other instances where the student proved their skills/knowledge]. She/he was an active participant in volunteering activities too, proving her commitment to the betterment of the society and community.

I believe his/her self-discipline, dedication and 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

Title

Signature

Email address

Phone number

Downloadable sample LORs for MBA abroad

Here are sample LORs for freshers as well as for candidates with professional experience:

1. Sample LOR written by a professor for a student looking to study an MBA abroad. [PDF, 76KB]
2. Sample LOR written by an employer for an employee looking to study an MBA abroad. [PDF, 78KB]

Who should write you an MBA recommendation letter?

Ask yourself these questions when you look for people to write a Letter of Recommendation or LOR for you:

• Does this person know you well enough to speak about your abilities, skills and character?
• Do they possess the ability to write a powerful and effective LOR for you?
• Do you think they will take time out of their busy schedule to write an LOR for you?
• Do their credentials qualify them to be a referee supporting your university application?

A colleague, manager, supervisor, professor or teaching assistant could be the one writing a recommendation letter for you. A well-wisher who has seen you grow into the person that you are today and who is invested in your success will be a great person to write an LOR for you. Knowing you for the longest time does not automatically qualify them to be a referee.

FAQ on LORs for MBA abroad

How to get an MBA LOR (Letter of Recommendation)?

• The first step is to go through the university’s requirements. Some universities might require that LORs are submitted by specific people.
• The next step is to shortlist your referees. Not everybody you approach might be willing to give you a recommendation letter. Hence have a list of potential referees.
• Reach out to these referees in person or over phone. Send them details such as the course and university you are applying to.
• You can also send them sample LORs for reference.

Is LOR required for MBA abroad?

Yes, a majority of universities abroad require that candidates submit one or more recommendation letters to support their course application. It is the same for MBA courses too. However, there are institutions that do not demand LORs. But these are very few in number.

Can I write an LOR myself?

No, a Letter of Recommendation should not be written by the candidate. The admission committee is looking for the opinion of others. Hence you should get the LOR written by people who know you and are ready to recommend you. You can of course share samples with them if they need help in drafting an LOR.

What should be included in an LOR for MBA abroad?

Professional experience, academic excellence, and skills and traits that are required for a business professional should be highlighted in an LOR for MBA abroad. Refer to the section ‘Traits, skills and qualities to be highlighted in an LOR for MBA abroad’ in this article for more information.