letter of recommendation for masters in education

• Affiliate Program

• UNITED STATES
• 台灣 (TAIWAN)
• TÜRKIYE (TURKEY)
• Academic Editing Services
• - Research Paper
• - Journal Manuscript
• - Dissertation
• - College & University Assignments
• Admissions Editing Services
• - Application Essay
• - Personal Statement
• - Recommendation Letter
• - Cover Letter
• - CV/Resume
• Business Editing Services
• - Business Documents
• - Report & Brochure
• - Website & Blog
• Writer Editing Services
• - Script & Screenplay
• Our Editors
• Client Reviews
• Editing & Proofreading Prices
• Wordvice Points
• Partner Discount
• Plagiarism Checker
• APA Citation Generator
• MLA Citation Generator
• Chicago Citation Generator
• Vancouver Citation Generator
• - APA Style
• - MLA Style
• - Chicago Style
• - Vancouver Style
• Writing & Editing Guide
• Academic Resources
• Admissions Resources

Graduate School Letter of Recommendation Examples 2022-2023

Grad school recommendation letters are an essential part of every graduate school application package–even in this (almost) post-COVID era of remote work and Zoom classes. Nearly all applications to graduate school still require at least two recommendation letters from individuals who can discuss your abilities, competencies, and personal character in a coherent way and recommend you for admission to graduate school.

Many referees have difficulty writing these recommendations themselves (for language issues or simply because they are busy) and some rely on the applicant to pen the draft of the letter and receive confirmation before submitting it to the graduate school. But regardless of who is writing the letter, there are a few key elements the recommender needs to include to craft a stellar recommendation for their graduate candidate.

Who should write a recommendation letter for graduate school?

Choosing which professors, supervisors, or advisors to request a graduate school recommendation letter from can be somewhat overwhelming. Should you choose someone who does not know you personally but who has connections to your target graduate school? If a famous professor writes you a grad school recommendation letter, will this automatically give you an advantage with the admissions committee? 

In general, graduate recommendation letters should come from people who know you well, who respect you enough to say glowing things about you as a student and researcher, and who hold positions in school or work that are above your own. At least one letter of recommendation should be submitted from a past or current professor or academic advisor. 

Another could be from someone in a slightly different role, including an employer, a research adviser, a senior colleague, or a professor from a different department or kind of class (e.g., a discussion class professor instead of a lecturer). No matter who it is, the recommender should know the applicant and recognize their accomplishments. It also helps if the recommender understands some details about the program to which their candidate is applying.

Here are some guidelines to follow when choosing who to ask for letters of recommendation for graduate school. Select someone who:

• Knows you well and can answer positively. Choose an individual who you have spent time with outside the classroom if possible. They should also be familiar with your career goals and hold a favorable view of you. 
• Has known you for quite a while. A recommendation letter for graduate school carries more influence if the person has known you for months or years instead of months. If you can, find someone who knows you from various contexts, such as a professor who is also your advisor. 
• Can speak to your strengths in relation to your graduate program. Choosing a finance professor to write your recommendation letter for an MBA program would be a good idea because they can write about the qualities that will aid you in pursuing an MBA (qualities you can also include in your MBA essay ) and a broader career in business. 
• Has substantive stories to share about you. Who was fortunate enough to see you succeed in an academic, extracurricular, or professional setting? Having someone write your LOR who has good stories to share about you is certainly going to benefit you more than someone whose class you took with two hundred other students. 

How to Request a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School

Knowing how to request a letter of recommendation for graduate school can directly impact the quality of the letter your referee writes for you. Show respect and consideration for the time that your recommender is taking to write a glowing review that will get you into graduate school and positively impact the rest of your life. 

With this in mind, it may seem obvious that the very best way to ask for a letter of recommendation for graduate school is to do so in person. While this isn’t possible for all students (due to availability or schedule), it is the best route if you want to ensure that your LOR is not only written on time, but includes all the positive information about you that admissions committees want to see in a graduate candidate. When you cannot ask in person, sending an email is an appropriate second-best option. But remember to always be cordial and polite when making this request. 

What information should be included in a graduate recommendation letter?

Your referral letter should cover a range of skills, from academic abilities to research experiences, to applied experiences in and out of class. As the recommender, your letter should clearly answer some specific questions:

Your letter of recommendation should cover a range of skills, from academic abilities to research experiences, to applied experiences in and out of class. As the recommender, your letter should clearly answer some specific questions:

• What is your relationship with the student?
• Why should the graduate faculty listen to your opinion? (include your status, title)
• What makes this student special? (discuss their characteristics, qualities, traits)
• What specifically did this student do to impress you? (discuss their accomplishments, habits in class)
• What makes this student qualified for graduate school and for this program? (include specific courses or interests of the student in addition to abilities and traits)
• What do you know about the program the student is applying to?

What information does the LOR recommender need from me?

The recommender should be given sufficient time to write (and/or confirm) the letter. If it has been a while since you were last in contact, sending a background information file will make things easier. Include the following information so that the recommender can use a few details to bolster their letter:

• Classes the student has taken with the recommender
• Experiences you have shared
• Transcripts
• Research experience and internships
• Awards and achievements
• Academic/career goals
• Relevant professional experience

In addition to background information, make sure that the recommender has the necessary information to plan the writing in a timely manner and target the letter as much as possible:

• Graduate program application due date
• Copy of recommendation forms (if applicable)
• Instructions for submitting LORs (hard copy, soft copy, or direct to school)
• Details about the program and school the student is applying to

What style of writing should be used in a recommendation letter?

Although the letter of recommendation is more informal than academic writing, you should make sure that your language has no grammatical or mechanics errors and that it is of an academic level that reflects the author’s educational level and qualifications. Apply the following standards to the writing and the essay-drafting process:

• Make your language more personal in tone than research writing.
• Use the active voice and first-person point of view more often.
• Write chronologically, starting from important traits and then moving on to actions and achievements.
• Use lots of details—list course names, scores, and specific achievements of the student.
• Edit your letter before submitting it to the graduate admissions faculty.

How to Write a Grad School Letter of Recommendation Letter: LOR Outline

A well-structured recommendation letter (like any organized essay) will guide the reader logically towards an understanding of why this student is worthy not only of praise but of admission to graduate school. Grad school requires quite a few high-level scholastic attributes that not all students possess, and therefore it is important to focus on both the achievements of the candidate and on their personal character and potential to thrive in a difficult academic environment.

Use this outline as a letter of recommendation template in which to input your candidate’s achievements, skills, and traits. Note that the flow of information moves the reader into greater detail, using form phrases and transitions that increase the readability of the letter.

1. Greeting to the recipient

Dear {Name}, or To Whom It May Concern, To the graduate faculty of the {University / Department}

2. Opening paragraph: position; relationship to the applicant; general assessment of the applicant

It is my absolute pleasure to recommend {Name} for admissions to {Program} at {University}… I am a professor of {area of study} in the department of {department} at {University}.

3. Second paragraph: positive skill or trait; evidence of trait or skill; anecdotes demonstrating this skill

Jane has excellent communication skills. Her written work is both clear and concise, as well as interesting to read…

4. Third (up to fifth) paragraph: Other skills or traits; evidence of character and skills; detailed anecdotes

At a personal level, Jane is a well-disciplined, industrious student with a pleasant personality. She went well beyond the course expectations…

5. Final Paragraph: clear recommendation of the candidate to the specific school or program.

Jane is unquestionably an exceptional candidate for graduate study in {Program Applying for}. Jane’s work in “Developments in Anthropology” suggests that she would greatly benefit from the opportunities for intellectual development provided by a sustained period of graduate study…

6. Closing line: polite offer to be contacted if needed

If I can be of any further assistance, or provide you with any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Letter of Recommendation Template and Useful Phrases

Admission essays often contain template phrases or “form phrases” that allow the writer to plug in their specific information while not spending too much time deciding how to compose every single aspect of the writing. This can be especially useful for ESL authors because conventional expressions used in academic and essay writing can be difficult to learn and memorize. Use the following form phrases to help craft a more professional letter of recommendation.

Introducing yourself

• My name is  {Author}  and I have been a Professor of Math at  {University}  since  {date} .
• I write to you today to proudly express my support for  {Student}  in applying to your prestigious university.

Discussing your relationship with the applicant

• I first came to know  {Student}  while teaching him/her in my  {Course Name}  course…
• I was  {Student} ’s thesis advisor during his/her senior year.
• I have known  {Student}  for several years now and can attest to his/her strengths and quality of character.

Discussing the student’s general positive traits

• {Student}  has excellent communication skills and displays them regularly in class discussions.
• He/She is a highly intelligent and competent student who excels in many areas.
• Not only is  {Student}  hard-working and thoughtful, but he/she also demonstrates kindness and generosity towards his/her peers.

Demonstrating evidence of student’s character and skills

• She/he has shown herself/himself to be a true leader who is able to successfully develop plans and implement them in his/her work.
• {Student}  demonstrated his/her independence daily, completing difficult lab exercises by researching outside of class.
• During his/her internship,  {Student}  consistently managed his/her work responsibilities diligently and learned quickly. For example…

Discussing the school/program the student is applying to

• As  {University}  is renowned for its  {Program} , I believe this is an ideal place for  {Student}  to solidify his/her abilities and cement his/her knowledge of  {area of study} .
• The learning environment that  {University}  is famous for creating excellent opportunities in which  {Student}  to apply his/her skills.

Final endorsement and offer to be contacted

• For the above reasons, I am confident that  {Student}  will make an excellent addition to your graduate program, and I wholeheartedly support him/her for admission to your program.
• Thank you for your time and attention in reading my endorsement.

Further Tips for Writing Admissions Essays

• Highlight your self-motivation, competence, and potential in this essay
• Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in the active voice.
• Demonstrate through examples; don’t just write that you are a “persistent person”—show it!
• Approach every topic with continuity and focus.

The Final Step: Editing Your Recommendation Letter

As any good writer knows, it takes more than one draft to create a strong and compelling work of writing. After you have written your recommendation letter draft, there is still a lot of room for revision. One way to ensure that grammar mistakes and style errors do not get in the way of a strong letter is to let the admissions experts at Wordvice’s Admissions Editing Services edit and proofread your (of your candidate’s) letter of recommendation or other application essays, raising the chances that your candidate will be admitted to the program of their choice.

With a full suite of professional proofreading services , we edit thousands of admission documents each year for all kinds of authors of academic and admissions documents just like you. Furthermore, our application essay editing services , recommendation letter editing services , personal statement editing services , CV editing services , cover letter editing services , and SOP editing services are tailored to the needs of your specific admissions essay.

For more articles on writing and editing your essays and academic work, visit Wordvice’s Academic Resource page . 

• Phone: +91 8466016171
• Whatsapp: +91 8208375580
• Email: contact@leapscholar.com

Letter of Recommendation for Masters: Sample, Format & Template

• Updated On April 16, 2024
• Published In General , Testimonials ✍️

When it comes to writing an effective LOR for masters, it is important to understand the document’s purpose. The letter should highlight your strengths, achievements, and potential for success in the chosen course. It should be written by someone who knows you well, such as a professor, mentor, or previous employer. When asking someone to write your LOR, ensure that they have a positive view of your work and can provide specific examples to back up their claims. 

Table of Contents

When you ask someone to write your LOR, you must provide them with all the necessary information. This includes details about the course you’re applying for and the submission deadline. By doing so, you’re helping them write a more tailored and effective LOR, which can significantly boost your application.

In this blog, we will learn more about the Letter of Recommendation for Masters and whom you should ask it for.

Crack IELTS in 4 Weeks! IELTS 8 Band Guarantee

Ace IELTS with Band Guarantee. Get access to Live Classes & 100+ Mock Test. Join Free IELTS Masterclass Now!

What is the importance of a Letter of Recommendation for Masters?

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is an essential component of the application process for Masters programs. It is a document that provides information about the applicant’s academic and professional achievements, character, and potential to succeed in the program. The LOR carries significant weight in the admission decision-making process, providing valuable insights into the applicant’s abilities and potential to contribute to the program.

The LOR validates the applicant’s academic and professional achievements and provides the admissions committee with an objective assessment of the applicant’s abilities. It also helps you distinguish yourself from other candidates, especially if the LOR comes from a reputable source, such as a professor or employer.

Importance of Letters of Recommendation for Master’s Programs:

• Credibility and Endorsement: Letters of recommendation offer valuable external validation of your qualifications and potential. Professors, supervisors, or mentors can vouch for your academic abilities, work ethic, and suitability for the program.
• In-Depth Perspective: Recommenders can provide insights beyond your transcript or resume. They can speak to your specific strengths, growth trajectory, and contributions in a classroom or professional setting.
• Complementing Your Application: Letters of recommendation offer a more personal and qualitative dimension to your application. They help admissions committees get a well-rounded picture of who you are as a student and individual.
• Demonstrate Supportive Network: Strong letters from respected figures suggest you have established positive relationships and possess qualities valued within academia or your field.
• Competitive Advantage: In competitive programs, exceptional letters can differentiate you from other qualified applicants. A compelling recommendation can significantly enhance your application’s overall strength.

Overall, a well-written LOR can make a significant difference in the admission decision, so it is essential to choose recommenders carefully and provide them with the necessary information and guidance.

The best guidance for your STUDY ABROAD DREAM

Start your journey with the best study abroad experts in India

Format for a Letter of Recommendation for Masters

• Briefly introduce yourself (name, title, affiliation).
• State your relationship with the student (e.g., professor, supervisor) and how long you’ve known them.
• Mention the program they’re applying to (optional).
• Academic Strengths: Highlight the student’s academic achievements and qualities relevant to the program. Use specific examples from coursework, projects, or research experiences.
• (Example) “I had the pleasure of teaching [student name] in my [course name] class. They consistently impressed me with their [positive academic quality] and [another positive quality]. For instance, [student name]’s [specific example] demonstrated their ability to [relevant skill].”
• Qualities and Skills: Discuss the students’ personal qualities and professional skills that would benefit them in the program and their future careers.
• (Example) “[Student name] is not only a strong academic performer but also a highly motivated and resourceful individual. During their internship at [company name], they [specific example] showcasing their [relevant skill].”
• Summarise your key points and express your strong recommendation for the student’s admission.
• Offer to provide further information if needed (optional).

Additional Tips:

• Maintain a professional tone but avoid overly formal language.
• Use clear and concise sentences.
• Feel free to personalise the language to reflect your relationship with the student.
• Proofread the letter carefully for any errors.
• Use official letterhead from your institution if applicable.
• Sign and date the letter.

Using this format and incorporating a conversational tone, you can write a compelling letter of recommendation that effectively advocates for your student’s potential in a Master’s program.

Tips to Write a Letter of Recommendation

Here are some tips to ensure your recommendation letters for a Master’s program showcase your strengths and increase your chances of admission:

1. Highlight Diverse Achievements:

• Aim for a well-rounded picture. If you have multiple letters, request each recommender to focus on a specific area. For example, one professor can speak to your research skills, while another can emphasise your leadership in a club activity.

2. Provide Information for Your Recommender:

• Don’t underestimate the power of details. Equip your recommender with a comprehensive CV, transcripts mentioning your GPA and achievements, a list of extracurricular activities, and the letter submission deadline.

3. Make it Specific with Examples:

• Vague statements hold little weight. Encourage your recommender to include specific anecdotes or instances that illustrate your qualities. A concrete example of a research project showcases your skills more effectively than simply saying you’re a good researcher.

4. Demonstrate Growth:

• Stand out from the crowd. A letter that solely praises your existing strengths might seem generic. Request your recommender to highlight how you’ve improved over time, capitalising on your strengths while tackling weaknesses. This portrays a well-rounded and dynamic applicant.

5. Strike a Formal Yet Engaging Tone:

• Maintain professionalism while avoiding dryness. Admission committees appreciate personalised yet formal language. A compelling letter should showcase you as an individual, avoiding clichés. Each letter should be unique in content while adhering to the overall format.
• Choose your recommenders wisely. Select individuals who can genuinely endorse your academic and/or professional achievements professionally.

Sample 1 for Letter of Recommendation for Masters

Here is a letter of recommendation for masters by a professor.

Dear Admissions Team,

I am pleased to write this Letter of Recommendation for XXX, who has been a student at our institution for the past three years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work closely with her and observe her academic performance and work ethic.

From the very beginning, XXX has shown a strong inclination towards research and has consistently demonstrated her ability to think critically and analyse complex academic problems. She has always been proactive in her approach and has shown a genuine interest in learning new things.

One of the most impressive aspects of XXX’s academic profile is her ability to work collaboratively with her peers and instructors. She is an excellent team player and has always been willing to go the extra mile to achieve team goals. Her ability to communicate effectively and articulate her ideas has been an asset to her team.

During her academic tenure, XXX has taken several courses across multiple disciplines, including history, political science, and economics. Her performance in each of these courses has been exemplary, and she has consistently demonstrated her ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems.

I have had the opportunity to work with XXX on several research projects, and I can confidently say that she has a natural flair for research. Her research work has been thoughtful and well-structured, and she has always demonstrated a good understanding of the research question and the methodology required to answer it.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend XXX for admission to the Masters program . She has all the qualities of an excellent student, including academic excellence, strong work ethic, and a passion for learning. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

Recommender’s Full Name

Designation-Department

Institution, City

Contact No-

Sample 2 for Letter of Recommendation for Masters

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter of recommendation for [Applicant’s Name], who was employed at [Company Name] as a [Job Title] from [Employment Start Date] to [Employment End Date]. During this time, I had the pleasure of working closely with [Applicant’s Name] and can attest to their exceptional work ethic, skills, and abilities.

As an employee, [Applicant’s Name] consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to their work, paying meticulous attention to detail and delivering high-quality results. They were proactive in identifying opportunities for process improvements and always willing to take on new challenges. [Applicant’s Name] was an integral member of our team, and their contributions were instrumental in our success.

In terms of [Applicant’s Name]’s academic background, they hold a Bachelor’s degree in [Degree Name] from [University Name]. Throughout their studies, they exhibited a passion for their field of study, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter and a keen ability to apply their knowledge in practical settings.

Based on my experience working with [Applicant’s Name], I have no doubt that they would excel in a Master’s program. They possess a unique combination of academic knowledge, practical skills, and a strong work ethic, which would make them a valuable addition to any program.

I highly recommend [Applicant’s Name] for admission to the Master’s program they are applying for, and I am confident that they will continue to impress with their dedication, hard work, and ability to deliver exceptional results.

Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Company Name]

How to Submit a Letter of Recommendation for Masters

1. Requesting Recommendations:

• Identify Recommenders: Choose professors, supervisors, or mentors who know you well academically or professionally and can speak to your potential in the Master’s program.
• Seek Consent: Contact your chosen recommenders and politely ask if they’d be willing to write a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for your Master’s program application.

2. Providing Information:

• Share Program Details: Once a recommender agrees, inform them about your academic background, the specific Master’s program you’re applying to, and the application deadline.
• Highlight Achievements: Briefly highlight your academic achievements, relevant skills, and experiences that would be valuable for the program. This can help your recommender write a more focused and impactful letter.
• Mention Specifics: If there are specific aspects of your profile you’d like them to emphasise, feel free to mention them gently.

3. University Guidelines:

• Check University Requirements: Some universities may have specific guidelines for LORs, such as a preferred format or submission process. If such guidelines exist, inform your recommenders and provide them with any relevant documents.

4. Submission Process:

• Some universities require recommenders to submit directly via an online portal.
• 1. One way to submit a letter of recommendation is through an online form provided by the university. The recommender will be given a login portal to answer specific questions about the candidate.
• 2. Another method is through email, where the recommender directly sends the recommendation letter to the university’s official email ID.
• 3. The most common method is for the recommender to print, sign, and seal the recommendation letter. The student can then collect the letter and send it to the university by post, along with their personal information and application details.
• Confirm the Process: Double-check the submission process for each university you’re applying to and ensure your recommenders and you are aware of the correct method.

Who should you ask for a Letter of Recommendation?

If you are planning to pursue a master’s program at an international university, it’s essential to understand that universities look beyond just your grades. They are interested in your past experiences, personal character, skills, and qualities. This is where a letter of recommendation comes into play.

The person you choose to ask for a letter of recommendation depends on 

• the university
• program you are applying for

Some universities have specific requirements for recommenders, typically professors, professional mentors, or past employers . If a professor is required, the letter should focus on your academic skills and achievements. On the other hand, if a past employer is required, the recommendation should highlight specific skills relevant to your master’s program.

Selecting the right person to write your letter of recommendation is a critical part of the application process for a Master’s program. By providing the university with a well-crafted letter that highlights your qualities and accomplishments, you’ll significantly increase your chances of being accepted.

Final Thoughts

In this blog, we learned more about the requirements and tips for a Letter of Recommendation for master’s programs. A well-written Letter of Recommendation (LOR) can play an important role in your admission to a Master’s program. It provides valuable insights into your academic and professional achievements, character, and potential to succeed in the program. A compelling LOR can distinguish you from other applicants and give you a competitive edge in the admission decision-making process. 

To ensure a strong LOR, carefully select your recommenders, provide them with all the necessary information and guidance, and maintain a professional yet engaging tone. Additionally, highlight your diverse achievements, provide specific examples, demonstrate growth, and strike a balance between personalisation and formality. Lastly, follow the university’s submission guidelines and double-check the process to avoid any errors or confusion. 

By following these tips and guidelines, you can ensure that your LOR effectively advocates for your potential in a Master’s program and significantly boosts your chances of admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. how do i write a letter of recommendation for a masters degree.

A. To write a letter of recommendation for a master’s degree, start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the applicant. Then, highlight the applicant’s academic achievements, skills, and personal qualities that make them suitable for the program. Finally, provide a positive overall assessment and recommend the applicant for admission to the master’s program.

Q. How to get a letter of recommendation for Masters in India?

A. To get a letter of recommendation for a master’s program in India, start by identifying potential recommenders who know you well, such as professors, supervisors, or mentors. Then, approach them politely, explain your purpose, and provide them with a copy of your resume and motivation letter. Finally, follow up with a thank-you note and keep them informed of your progress.

Q. What is the importance of a Letter of Recommendation for masters?

A. A letter of recommendation is important for a master’s degree application because it provides an independent assessment of the applicant’s academic and personal qualities. It also helps the admission committee to evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in the program. A strong letter of recommendation can make a positive impact on the admission decision.

Q. What are tips for writing a letter of recommendation?

A. To write a strong letter of recommendation, start by reviewing the applicant’s resume, transcripts, and motivation letter. Then, focus on highlighting their academic and personal strengths, achievements, and potential for success in the program. Use specific examples and avoid vague or generic statements. Finally, proofread the letter for grammar and spelling errors and provide your contact information for follow-up.

Popular Universities for Study Abroad

30+ universities for study abroad.

• Arizona State University
• Northeastern University
• Coventry University
• University Of East London
• University Of Hertfordshire
• Conestoga College
• Humber College
• Centennial College
• University Of Birmingham
• Stanford University
• University Of Greenwich
• Columbia University
• Bpp University
• Texas A & M University
• University Of Maryland
• University Of Toronto
• University Of Melbourne
• University Of Waterloo
• New York University
• Mcgill University
• Harvard University
• University Of British Columbia
• University Of Alberta
• University Of Oxford
• University Of Cambridge
• University Of California Berkeley
• Yale University
• University Of Calgary
• Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT)

Popular Blogs

• CGPA to GPA: Check How to convert 10 point CGPA to 4 point GPA
• Check How to Calculate Percentage to CGPA
• Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World 2024

Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

Related Posts

World Forum for Democracy 2024, France | Fully Funded Conference

Best Countries To Study Abroad In 2024: Top Picks And Benefits

Cost of Living in Mexico: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Trending now.

How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School

When someone asks you to write a graduate school letter of recommendation , it demonstrates that they value your opinion, trust you and believe in your writing skills.

But as flattering as it is to be asked, there is also some pressure associated with crafting an effective and convincing letter of recommendation. After all, the applicant is counting on you to influence the admissions board and highlight their accomplishments, strengths and skill sets.

The good news is, writing a graduate school letter of recommendation is more intuitive than you think. Below, we’ve rounded up all the tips you need to write the perfect letter for anyone in your sphere.

What Is a Letter of Recommendation?

First off, let’s go over what a letter of recommendation is.

A letter of recommendation is a brief, written endorsement needed for certain jobs, programs or schools that details a person’s qualifications for whatever they’re applying for.

It’s written by a trusted and valued source: usually a past employer, teacher, mentor or colleague. In a letter of recommendation for graduate school, the writer describes the person’s skills, their personality and why they’re the right fit for the program. This is all so the institution has confirmation of the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program.

If you don’t believe you’re the right fit to write a student’s recommendation, that’s OK, too. You can politely decline and explain to the student why. You can also offer to help them find someone else who’s a more appropriate choice.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School

Once you’ve decided to accept and write the letter of recommendation, take a moment to consider some key questions before you begin crafting your statement.

• What is your relationship like with this person?
• What do you think of their work you’ve seen? How would you describe it?
• What are significant memories you have with them?
• What qualities or strengths does this person have?
• What would you specifically want somebody to know about this person?
• What value would this person bring to this grad school program, and how would they thrive in the field after the program?

What to Ask From Someone Before Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Of course, there is some student information you’ll want to obtain before starting your recommendation. To ensure you’re addressing all the right points and representing them in the best light possible, make sure you ask them the below questions.

The basics . First off, you should find out where this letter is going, to whom it should be addressed, what the deadlines are and how they’d like you to submit it (mail, email, etc.).

Why they want to go to this program and why they are drawn to this school . It’s important to know the motivation behind their graduate school studies: Is it for the love of learning? To get a better job? To switch fields altogether? This will help inform what you write in the letter. Similarly, it’s good to know why a specific school is calling them as well.

Any strengths or qualities they want highlighted . Each person will have different qualities they want you to discuss in their letter of recommendation. If the strengths they mention are ones you agree with and seem relevant to the degree program, definitely include them. You should also ask about what achievements they’ve made that will help them stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Their resume . No one can memorize a person’s entire job and education history. A resume can help remind you of special projects and exemplary work they’ve accomplished in the past, which you can then emphasize in your letter.

What to Include in a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School

There are specific things you should always include in a letter of recommendation for graduate school to make it shine and improve the applicant’s chances of admission.

These are the points that you must undoubtedly touch on throughout your recommendation:

How do you know the applicant? It’s important to describe who you are and how you know the applicant, as well as how long you’ve known them. Personal anecdotes are a must, and they boost your credibility.

Why are they a good fit for the program? Include an explanation for why you think they would specifically thrive in the program. Avoid being vague or general. Dive into why the school would be the perfect fit, and vice versa!

What are their most shining accomplishments? Describe their achievements, especially the ones you’ve personally witnessed. In addition, reference their top strengths and qualities. Again, avoid generalities and use vivid anecdotes.

Can you explain any gaps or discrepancies? A letter of recommendation is often a good time to clear up any troubling parts of the student’s resume or work history — perhaps there was an employment gap or grades dip because they were caring for a sick relative, for example. If you’re aware of any weak spots on their resume from extenuating circumstances, this is the time to note it.

What sets the applicant apart from the rest? Be sure to conclude on a strong note with a very clear, concise recommendation. Highlight what sets them apart from other people, so the program can clearly understand why they should admit this candidate into their college or university.

How to Format and Structure a Graduate School Letter of Recommendation

As for structure, letters of recommendation should not be longer than a page. Start off with a greeting (“Dear [Name]” or “To Whom It May Concern,” if you don’t know the recipient). In the opening paragraph, explain who you are, the nature of your relationship with the student and your overall impression of them.

Within the body of the letter, you can expand on their personality, skills and achievements — along with personal anecdotes — before wrapping up with a final strong and clear recommendation for the applicant.

Then, feel free to add in a polite offer to contact you if they need more information and a formal parting signature. Double-check for spelling and grammar, too, as any mistake could weaken your credibility.

Once you’ve proofread the letter, all you have to do is submit it as instructed and patiently wait for an update from the applicant. Best of luck!

For more information, explore  USC Online ’s master’s degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

Letter of Recommendation for Masters: Sample, Format & Template

So, you've set your sights on a master's degree – fantastic! Now comes the not-so-small hurdle of securing strong letters of recommendation (LORs). These letters are crucial for grad school admissions, offering a window into your capabilities beyond grades and transcripts. But where do you even begin? Don't worry, future scholar, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to craft a stellar request and provide some sample LORs to inspire you.

Why LORs Matter

Think of your LORs as character references for the academic world. They tell the admissions committee what you're like beyond the numbers. Did you excel in class discussions? Are you a self-motivated researcher? A strong LOR can highlight these qualities and make your application stand out.

Finding the Right Recommenders

The key to a powerful LOR is choosing the right people to write them. Ideally, you want professors or employers who:

• Know you well: They should be able to speak to your academic abilities, work ethic, and potential for success in a graduate program.
• Can vouch for your achievements: Did you ace their class? Lead a successful project under their supervision? These experiences provide concrete examples for the recommender to showcase.
• Are familiar with your chosen field: Having a recommender with expertise in your desired graduate program adds weight to their evaluation.

Crafting Your Request

Once you've identified your recommenders, it's time to make the ask. Here's a roadmap for crafting a compelling request:

• Refresh their memory: Briefly introduce yourself and remind them of your past interactions (e.g., the class you took together, the project you worked on).
• Highlight your goals: Briefly explain why you're pursuing a master's degree and how their program aligns with your interests.
• Provide context: Mention specific achievements or qualities you'd like them to emphasize in their letter. Offer transcripts, research papers, or project reports if relevant.
• Express gratitude: Thank them for their time and consideration.

Sample LOR Request Email

Subject: Letter of Recommendation Request – [Your Name] – Master's in [Program Name]

Dear Professor [Professor's name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during [Semester and Year]. I'm writing to request a letter of recommendation in support of my application to the Master's program in [Program Name] at [University Name].

I thoroughly enjoyed your [Course Name] class, and particularly appreciated [Mention specific aspects of the course you enjoyed]. As you may recall, I [Mention a specific achievement or contribution in the class]. This experience solidified my interest in [Your area of interest] and ultimately led me to pursue a graduate degree in [Program name].

The [Program name] at [University name] particularly interests me because of [Reasons why the program is a good fit]. My ultimate goal is to [Your career goals after the master's degree].

I've attached my resume and transcript for your reference. If there's any other information you'd need to write a strong letter, please don't hesitate to ask.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I truly appreciate your support.

[Your Name]

Let's See it in Action: Sample LORs

Now, let's delve into some sample LORs to understand what makes them effective:

Sample 1: From a Professor

Dr. Anne Smith

Professor of Biology

Anytown University

Admissions Committee

[ Program Name]

[University Name]

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing this letter to wholeheartedly recommend [Student Name] for admission to your Master's program in [Program Name]. I had the pleasure of having [Student Name] in my [Course Name] class during [Semester and Year], and they consistently impressed me with their intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and exceptional analytical skills.

[Student Name] consistently achieved top marks in the class, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex biological concepts. Beyond their academic prowess, [Student Name] actively participated in class discussions, asking insightful questions and readily contributing to group projects. I vividly recall [Student Name]'s insightful analysis of [Mention a specific topic or project], which sparked a lively debate in class.

Furthermore, [Student Name] went above and beyond the course requirements by [Mention any research project, internship, or independent study]. This initiative showcased their genuine passion for [Area of interest] and their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.

[Student Name] is not only a brilliant student but also a collaborative team player. They readily supported their peers and fostered a positive learning environment. Their strong communication skills were evident in their [Mention presentations, reports, or papers]. [Student Name] possesses a genuine desire to learn and a dedication to excellence that makes them an ideal candidate for your program.

Sample 2: From an Employer

Mr. John Lee

Project Manager

ABC Tech Company

I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for admission to your Master's program in [Program Name]. [Employee Name] has been a valuable member of my team at ABC Tech Company for the past two years, working as a [Employee's Job Title]. During this time, they have consistently demonstrated exceptional technical skills, a strong work ethic, and a passion for continuous learning.

[Employee Name] played a key role in the successful completion of our recent project on [Project Name]. Their ability to [Mention specific skills] was instrumental in [Describe the employee's contribution to the project's success]. Furthermore, [Employee Name] readily took initiative, [Mention an example of initiative] which significantly improved the project's efficiency.

[Employee Name] is a highly motivated individual with a thirst for knowledge. They actively seek out opportunities to learn new skills and expand their expertise. They recently enrolled in an online course on [Course Name] to further their understanding of [Relevant field]. This dedication to professional development demonstrates their commitment to excellence.

[Employee Name]'s strong analytical and problem-solving skills, coupled with their eagerness to learn, make them a perfect fit for your program. I have no doubt that they will be a valuable asset to your institution.

Sample 3: Highlighting Research Potential

Dr. Michael Brown

Research Professor

University of Research

[Program Name]

I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for admission to your Master's program in [Program Name]. [Student Name] worked as a research assistant in my lab for the past year, and their contributions have been invaluable.

[Student Name] quickly grasped complex research methodologies and demonstrated exceptional proficiency in [Mention specific lab techniques]. Their meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical skills were instrumental in [Describe a specific project or experiment].

What truly sets [Student Name] apart is their independent research initiative. They identified a previously unexplored aspect of our research on [Research topic] and proposed a new line of inquiry. This independent thinking and ability to identify research gaps are hallmarks of a successful researcher.

[Student Name] is not only a skilled researcher but also a clear and concise communicator. Their presentation of our research findings at the [Conference Name] conference was well-received by the audience. Their ability to explain complex scientific concepts in a clear and engaging manner is commendable.

[Student Name]'s intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and research potential make them an ideal candidate for your program. I am confident that they will excel in your program and make significant contributions to the field of [Research field].

The Final Touches

Remember, a strong LOR is a collaborative effort. Once you've submitted your request, follow up with your recommenders to ensure they have all the necessary information. Thank them again for their time and support. With a well-crafted request and strong recommendations, you'll be well on your way to securing your place in a master's program!

Dreaming of becoming a world-class engineer? This article explores the hottest engineering disciplines in 2024 and unveils top universities abroad to launch your exciting academic journey. Ready to build your future? Dive in and discover where your engineering passion can take you!

FAQs: Mastering the Recommendation for Your Master's Application

Who should i ask for lors.

• Professors: Ideal if they know you well from a challenging course related to your master's program. They can speak to your academic abilities, analytical skills, and potential for research.
• Employers: Excellent if your work aligns with your desired graduate program. They can highlight your work ethic, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply knowledge in a professional setting.

What should I include in my LOR request email?

• Briefly introduce yourself and remind the recommender of your past interaction (class, project).
• Explain your reason for pursuing a master's degree and why their program is a good fit.
• Mention specific achievements or qualities you'd like them to emphasize (provide transcripts or research papers if relevant).
• Express gratitude for their time and consideration.

What makes a strong LOR?

• Specific examples: The recommender should showcase your strengths with concrete examples from class projects, research experiences, or work accomplishments.
• Highlights your potential: The letter should not just focus on past achievements but also demonstrate your ability to succeed in a graduate program.
• Positive and enthusiastic tone: The recommender should express their confidence in your capabilities and enthusiasm for your pursuit of a master's degree.

How many LORs do I typically need?

The number of LORs required varies by program, but two is a common standard. Some programs might request one academic and one professional recommendation. Check the specific program requirements to ensure you submit the correct number.

Stuck crafting that crucial letter of recommendation request for your Master's application? Don't sweat it! This guide equips you with a winning formula, sample LORs, and expert tips to secure stellar recommendations that will make your application shine. Get ready to impress the admissions committee!

An IIT Delhi IIM Ahmedabad alumni initiative

Alpha Education Abroad is an initiative by IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad alumni. The firm helps students get admitted to top universities overseas in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, and many other countries. It allows students to apply for graduation as well as post-graduation courses abroad. It also helps students get admitted to top 1 year MBA programs such as ISB and IIM Ahmedabad in India.

Comparing IIMA PGPX and ISB PGP: Choosing the Right MBA Program for You

How to Study at the Best Universities in Poland?

Best MIM Programs in the World

Book a free consultation now.

Know your chances to get an admit now. Call us at +91 9711617217 or fill in the details.

Sample of an Effective Grad School Recommendation Letter

Comstock / Stockbyte / Getty Images

• Recommendation Letters
• Choosing a Graduate Program
• Tips & Advice
• Admissions Essays
• Medical School Admissions
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, Fordham University
• M.A., Developmental Psychology, Fordham University

Whether a letter is good or simply adequate depends not just on its content but on how well it fits the program to which you’re applying . Consider the following letter written for a student who is applying to an online graduate program.

In this case, the student is applying to an online graduate program and the professor's experiences with the student are entirely in online courses. Considering this purpose, the letter is good. The professor speaks from experiences with the student in an online class environment, presumably similar to what he will experience in an online graduate program. The professor describes the nature of the course and discusses the student's work within that environment. This letter supports the students' application to an online program because the professor's experiences speak to the student's ability to excel in an online class environment. Specific examples of the student's participation and contributions to the course would improve this letter.

This same letter is less effective for students who are applying to traditional brick-and-mortar programs because faculty will want to know about the student's real-life interaction skills and their capacity to communicate and get along with others.

Sample Letter of Recommendation

Dear Admissions Committee:

I am writing on behalf of Stu Dent's application to the online master’s program in Education offered at XXU. All of my experiences with Stu are as a student in my online courses. Stu enrolled in my Introduction to Education (ED 100) online course in Summer, 2003. 

As you are aware, online courses, because of the lack of face-to-face interaction, require a high degree of motivation the part of students. The course is structured so that for each unit, students read the textbook as well as lectures that I have written, they post in discussion forums in which they converse with other students about issues raised by the readings, and they complete one or two essays. The summer online course is especially grueling as a full semester’s worth of content is covered in one month. Each week, students are expected to master the content that would be presented in 4 2-hour lectures. Stu performed very well in this course, earning a final score of 89, A-.

The following Fall (2003), he enrolled in my Early Childhood Education (ED 211) online course and continued his above-average performance, earning a final score of 87, B+. Throughout both courses, Stu consistently submitted his work on time and was an active participant in the discussions, engaging other students, and sharing practical examples from his experience as a parent.

Though I have never met Stu face-to-face, from our online interactions, I can attest to his ability to complete the academic requirements of XXU's online master's program in Education. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or email: prof@xxx.edu

• Sample Appeal Letter for an Academic Dismissal
• How to Get Recommendation Letters for Grad School
• Sample Graduate School Recommendation Letters
• Earn an Ivy League Degree Online
• Sample Poor Letter of Recommendation
• Sample Graduate School Recommendation by a Professor
• Letter of Recommendation
• How to Get a Letter of Recommendation After Graduation
• Thanking a Professor for Writing a Recommendation Letter
• What to Expect in an Online Graduate Class
• Should You Get a Recommendation for Grad School from Your Therapist?
• Get a Letter of Recommendation From an Online University
• Grad School Online Education Advantages and Disadvantages

How To Write A Good Letter Of Recommendation For Masters (9 PDF Sample Examples)

Study Abroad 34,251 views 17 October, 2022

Does your student, mentee, or employee want to pursue their masters overseas? A letter of recommendation for masters is one of the key documents they will be required to present in their application to the university.

Most universities will ask that students intending to pursue a masters program overseas, submit two or more academic reference letters for master’s. These letters help round out their application. 

If you have been approached by someone close to you to write them an lor for masters, there are certain procedures you can follow to ensure that you give the applicants as well as the university’s admission team what they need.

One of such procedures is to offer an insight on the applicant’s character, achievements, or work experience and also help the admission committee determine if they are the qualified candidate for the programme. 

In this article, we have put together a detailed guide on how to write a strong letter of recommendation for master’s program. To give you a better idea, we also included sample lor for masters.

Article Guide:

1. What is a letter of recommendation for masters

2. Parts of recommendation letter for masters degree

3. What you should NOT include in a letter of recommendation for students for masters

4. Letter of recommendation format for masters

5. LOR templates for masters

6. Sample letter of recommendation for masters program

7. Examples of academic recommendation letter for masters

Letter of recommendation from professor for masters degree

Professional recommendation letter for masters

Letter of recommendation for ms in computer science pdf

Letter of recommendation for masters program in engineering

LOR samples for ms in mechanical engineering

Professional lor for ms from manager

LOR from employer for ms

Lor samples for ms in data science

8. Conclusion

Check this too: How To Write A Good Recommendation Letter For Scholarship Application (8 Sample Examples PDF).

What Is A Letter Of Recommendation For Masters?

A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a written endorsement that describes the potentials and accomplishments of an applicant who wishes to study at a particular university. 

It is an essential part of an admission requirements as it demonstrates the qualities that determine if they would be a good fit for the programme. 

Schools don’t want to rely only on a student’s academic grade, they want to see how well others speak about their character and work ethics on an academic or professional level. 

A graduate recommendation letter should be written by someone of greater authority who has known the student for a significant period of time. And as such, can provide credible assessment on their potentials and ability to succeed in their study programme. Most universities they are applying to would ask that students submit at least two or three letters of recommendation. 

The best recommendation letters come from a professor, employer or research supervisor with whom the applicant has maintained a positive relationship and genuinely supports their career goals. 

Tips To Write A Successful Recommendation Letter:

If you want to write a compelling recommendation letter that sets the applicant you’re attesting for out from other applicants, it is important that you adhere to the following points.

Address The Name Of The School Correctly

If you’re writing multiple recommendation letters, for your applicant don’t make the mistake of putting the wrong name or programme. 

Make sure you get the school’s name and information correctly. It is a good idea to ask the student for relevant information before you start writing.

Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism is prohibited when writing a recommendation letter to a university.

You should not copy any letter of recommendation sample for masters off the internet and blindly send it to the university. It can have an adverse effect on the quality of your letter.

Letters Should Not Have An Overly Dry Tone

Even though a recommendation letter is regarded as a formal letter,  It should not be equated with a dry tone. 

You should write a formal letter that describes your experiences with the candidate in a personalised manner

Tailor The Recommendation Letter To Fit The Programme

When writing a reference letter for master program, you want to look at the programme’s requirements and match the student’s attributes and strengths accordingly.

Parts Of A Recommendation Letter For Masters Degree

A recommendation letter can influence the student’s chances of gaining admission. 

The letter should be crisp, well-structured, and contain relevant information about the candidate’s skills and abilities with specific examples when necessary.

There are 5 basic sections in a recommendation letter for  postgraduate studies, in most cases your letter of recommendation should stick to the following format;

Introduction

Supportive examples

Conclusion.

This section contains the details of the letter’s author such as the date, full name, title, University or Company name, address, city and state zip code. 

It should be included at the top left corner of your reference letter for master degree .

Next, you will introduce the student and the programme they are applying for. 

In this paragraph, you are required to present yourself and provide context on the nature of your relationship with the student as well as how long you have known them for.  It should be a concise paragraph with 2-4 sentences.

Here, you will provide a convincing argument stating why you think the student would be a valued asset to the university.

Do this while highlighting the student’s academic strengths or professional competence and positive attributes. 

This section makes up the main body of the letter, it should contain simple sentences matching the student’s skills, experience and qualities to the requirements of the program.   

Here, you have to elaborate on the highlighted qualities you discussed earlier by sharing personal stories relevant to the professional development of the student. 

You are expected to give specific examples or unique experiences that relate to your professional skills or expertise in the reference letter for masters student.  You can also talk about the student’s relevant soft skills.  

In this paragraph, you have to make a strong closing statement reaffirming your recommendation. 

It is followed by a handwritten signature at the end with a preferred means of contact, usually a phone number and an email address, along with your work hours

What You Should NOT Include In Your Recommendation Letter For Masters

Letter of recommendation is a vital document that influences a student’s acceptance for a master’s programme. 

It re-iterates the skills and attributes in their CV, It is extremely important that your letter of recommendation is error free. 

Before you submit your letter of recommendation, you have to ensure that you have thoroughly read through it and ensure that it matches all the requirements from the university. 

Lack of a convincing recommendation letter can affect an applicant's chances of making the final cut. 

Relevant information

Ensure that your applicant provides you, the referee, with the necessary documents and information required to help you write their recommendation letter for masters admission.

They can also provide you with a masters reference letter sample to follow.  

If it has been a while since you were in contact with the applicant, ask for the following information to help bolster the process

Statement of purpose

Transcript( with your Grade point average)

Inter-curricular/ volunteer activities

Relevant professional experience

Awards and career achievements

Requirements for submitting LOR

Graduate program application deadline

Details about the program and school they are applying to

Drafting a good recommendation letter is no easy task. The recommender should be given enough time to write the letter. 

Do not exaggerate 

As much as you want to paint a perfect picture of the candidate, you should avoid exaggerating about a candidate’s skills, attributes or experience. 

The student committee is very skilled in accessing these letters. They can easily filter out lies or information that are not in their documents.

Don’t construct a very short letter

A standard recommendation letter for master’s admission should be about 400 to 600 words. It should be easy to read and long enough to cover all the important details. 

Some universities will provide a template for referees to follow including a specific word limit. 

You should be provided with all the student’s relevant information and ensure you follow all the specifications given by the university. 

A short recommendation letter for master student could leave the impression that you, the recommender, don't have enough information about the applicant.  

Repeating the student’s  resume or statement of purpose

Your LOR shouldn’t be a repetition of the applicant’s resume or statement of purpose. 

The aim of a recommendation letter is to give a new perspective on a candidate’s skill and qualities.  It should paint a clear picture of a candidate's personality without meeting him/her.

Spelling errors

Make sure you proofread your LOR multiple times before submission. The credibility of your reference may be affected by the presence of spelling or grammatical errors.

Not writing a personalised LOR

One of the biggest mistakes a candidate can make is submit a reference letter sample for masters program copied from the internet. 

Although it might seem like an easy way out, it is highly prohibited and can ruin their chances of getting an admission.

Writing a genuine LOR stands a better chance than the one copied off the internet.

Related:  How to Write a Good Letter of Recommendation for Students (10 PDF Sample Examples).

Letter Of Recommendation Format For Masters

The content structure of your master degree letter of recommendation for masters program is important while drafting your recommendation letter.  

The best letter of recommendation for masters should be divided into 4-5 paragraphs that discuss the candidate’s academic or professional qualifications, strengths and attributes.  It should be written in a friendly yet professional tone. 

The letter of recommendation format for masters program should be written like this:

It shouldn’t be more than a page long.

It should contain 400-600 words.

It should contain the referee’s contact information.

Include a salutation to begin your letter.

Begin with ‘To whom it may concern’.

The letter should be written on a letterhead, and have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

LOR Templates For Masters

Below is a template of the letter of recommendation for masters. This sample will help you understand how to structure your LOR. 

Note the tone and the flow of information to be followed for your letter of recommendation.

Sample Letter Of Recommendation For Masters Program

Masters program recommendation letters are a vital part of all graduate school application processes. Almost all applicants who are seeking admission for a postgraduate program need to submit at least two recommendation letters to back up their application.

We know how this process can be tasking on the student and you the referee as well. Which is why we have taken the time to create this sample recommendation letter for graduate student to help you write something remarkable.

Our  sample lor for ms is well-written out and hits all the points you should be making in yours. 

We know that there are a lot of things you would love to say about the applicant you're writing for, so our sample letter of recommendation for masters will guide you to only say the right things.

We guarantee that this sample from ScholarshipTab is one of the best lor samples for masters you'll ever come across.

Amaya Roberts,

29, BackStreet Avenue,

Washington DC, USA,

School Of Legends,

10 - October - 2022

Harvard John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences,

Harvard University,

Boston, Massachusetts

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing to show my full support for Nathaniel Heywood's application of Masters in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence. I tutored him in Robotics Engineering during his undergraduate studies. My experience with him has been amazing, leading me to back him as an ideal candidate for the program. I am convinced without doubt that Nathaniel would be a great fit for your program if you let him.

Nathaniel has been my student for the past 4 years, and the more I look through the stated requirements for this masters program, the more I am convinced that he is the student you need in your school. During my time as his teacher, he was one of the top students in my class, excelling both in courses and extracurricular activities too.  

He showed unmatched enthusiasm and passion, while showing excellent team bonding skills, leadership abilities, resilience, critical thinking and determination. Nathaniel's academic track record has always been outstanding and so has his personality.

One time we had a Robotics fair at the school, where each student was required to build a Robot for the project from scratch. Nathaniel created a sentient robot that could feel when people were hurt or in need of other forms of medical assistance, and dialled 911. The talent he displayed at the fair is nothing like we ever saw in his class, and I and his other lecturers have no fear that he'll do the same at Paulson.

Besides his brilliance and ability to assist others in solving complex problems, Nathaniel is someone who has always wanted more. Whether it was in signing up for clubs, assisting with projects, or juggling internships with his studies. He has a zeal and I think the professor's at Paulson School Of Engineering will help him do some good with that fire by granting him a space at your masters program next fall.

Without regrets, I endorse and recommend Nathaniel Heywood to secure a spot with a team of your other talented students. His academic excellence will be a wonderful addition to your program. The kid is going to change the world someday, I hope he gets a shot.

For further information, please contact me at [email protected] .

Yours Sincerely,

Amaya Roberts.

You will be interested to know that the sample letter of recommendation for masters we have written above, can be downloaded. Click on letter of recommendation for masters pdf to download the letter. 

Examples Of Academic Recommendation Letter For Masters

An academic recommendation letter for masters is usually written by someone who is close to an applicant, and knows them in a personal, professional, or academic capacity. 

This person should be able to attest to the student's capabilities, character, and qualifications to thrive in the masters program of their choice.

If you have been approached by a student, employee or mentee to write a letter of recommendation for masters, and don't know how to do it, there is no need to worry.

For this section we have given you 9 good examples of academic recommendation letter for masters. These letters capture your relationship for the applicant, and also match different courses of studies.

Letter Of Recommendation From Professor For Masters Degree

A recommendation letter for master student from professor is a document provided by an applicant's undergraduate professor or teacher, that solely highlights their academic performance, personal qualities, accomplishments, and capabilities that make them a good fit for a program of study.

Unlike a professional lor for ms, an academic recommendation letter for masters, are required explicitly by an academic program, and are usually sent directly to the program's faculty from the desk of the professor, without the applicant seeing it.

This letter requires you to write from an objective perspective on the student's potential, to help the admissions team make an informed decision about accepting them into their program.

If you need help to write one then use the sample below.

Download the letter of recommendation from professor for master's degree pdf.

Professional Recommendation Letter For Masters

A professional letter of recommendation for masters is written by an employer or supervisor to refer a current or former employee for a postgraduate academic opportunity. This document can be requested for an MBA, or MS.

The professional reference letter for masters program should be written only if you were the applicant's internship supervisor, senior colleague, client, or immediate manager. And you are familiar with their professional characteristics, developments, and achievements

Download the professional recommendation letter for masters to get started.

Letter Of Recommendation For MS In Computer Science PDF

The( lor for ms in cs) letter of recommendation for ms in computer science is one of the most essential documents that a student will need for admission to study a postgraduate program in the university.

Universities thoroughly examine the letter of recommendation for masters in computer science before accepting it. The examination of the lor for masters in computer science is usually done by the school's management before taking a final decision about the applicant.

This document adds to the weight of an application and general profile of the student.

Some good lor samples for ms in cs you'll see, contain certain noteworthy attributes of the candidate like expertise in specific programming languages, coding abilities and where it was applied, projects executed using their expertise, any applications or websites created by the applicant, knowledge and understanding of certain developer tools.

Download the sample lor for ms in computer science.

Recommendation Letter For Student From Teacher For Masters Program

A recommendation letter for masters is essential for gaining an admission. LOR, Statement of Purpose, and CV/Resume are key documents that applicants must submit with their application and transcripts to help the admissions team approve their candidature.

Letter of recommendations provided by past teachers, shed more light on candidates' traits, past academic performance, achievements, and eligibility. Hence, they are vital for applicants' profiles and add credibility to the application.

Use this sample lor for ms from professor we provided below to write yours.

Letter Of Recommendation For Masters Program In Engineering

A Masters in Engineering program is a postgraduate study that equips students with advanced engineering knowledge. 

You might be called upon to write an lor for masters in any of these programs when your applicant has completed a Bachelor's in Engineering and wants to expand their horizons.

Download letter of recommendation for masters program in engineering.

LOR Samples For MS In Mechanical Engineering

When writing an lor for ms in mechanical engineering, there are some things that need to be mentioned. 

Those things include the student's understanding of basic engineering concepts, analytical skills, their in depth understanding of the chosen discipline, and if they have a good grasp of mathematics.

We've left a sample recommendation letter for MS in Mechanical Engineering.

Download lor samples for ms in mechanical engineering.

Professional LOR For MS From Manager

An lor from manager for ms is intended to vouch for the applicant's professional skills and technical knowledge. 

It is written by a manager/supervisor who worked with the candidate closely and as such can speak at length about their abilities in the workplace.

Download professional lor for ms from manager.

LOR From Employer For MS

An lor from employer for masters is a document provided by a non-academic professional, endorsing an applicant that worked in their company for admission in a masters program. There are many courses that require this letter as a prerequisite for admission.

Download lor from employer for ms.

LOR Samples For MS In Data Science

A letter of recommendation for Masters in Data Science, discusses the applicant's knowledge of statistics, computer, and data. 

When writing an LOR for data science, depending on the capacity in which you knew the candidate you can either talk about their academic or professional prowess. Use the  sample lor for masters below to write yours.

Download lor samples for ms in data science.

Conclusion:

If a student has come to you to endorse them for a masters' program, this task wouldn't be too challenging for you. 

The examples of academic recommendation letter for masters, will guide you on how to compose yours for the applicant. They will show you what to include, what not to include, and more importantly how to phrase your sentences so that your letter will be compelling enough to sway an admissions team.

Related Articles:

How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters (17 PDF Sample Examples).

How to Write a Good CV for Students - Resume Examples for Students (PDF).

How to Write a Good Personal Statement for a Scholarship ( 7 PDF Sample Examples).

Latest Scholarship Tips

• 10 Best Universities in Botswana 2024
• Top 20 Richest Country in Africa
• Top 20 Poorest Country in Africa 
• 10 Best Banks in South Africa 2024- Top Banks in South Africa
• 20 Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship PDF
• 10 Best Countries to Relocate 2024
• 20 Online MBA Scholarships for African Students 2024
• Best Africa Tourist Destinations - Top African Holiday Destinations
• Best Universities in Africa - Top Universities in Africa
• Best Universities in Egypt - Top Universities in Egypt
• Best Scholarships
• Call for Applications: SSACAB Scholarships for African Students 2024
• Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholars Program 2024
• Apply Now: Think Canada Education Annual Essay Competition for Africa 2024
• University of Oxford 2024 Rhodes Scholarship for African Students
• Apply Now: University of Birmingham DeepMind Scholarship for International Students 2024
• WAC-SRT/DAAD 2024 Scholarships Program for African Students
• Apply Now: Pan African University 2024 Financial Aid for Undergraduate Programmes
• NNPC/NAOC/OANDO Joint Venture Tertiary Scholarship Scheme for Undergraduate Students 2024

Scholarship Tips

Scholarships by country to study.

• South Africa
• United Kingdom
• United States

Scholarships by Category

• Postgraduate
• Undergraduate
• College School
• Entrepreneurs
• Women Scholarships
• Fully Funded

Scholarships by Country of Origin

Scholarships by institution / company.

• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• MasterCard Foundation
• The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
• United Nations

Scholarships by School

• University of Edinburgh
• University of Oxford
• University of Pretoria
• University of Ghana
• University of Cape Town
• Flinders University

Letter of Recommendation for Master’s: Benefits, Format, Techniques, & Sample

Table of Contents

What is a Letter of Recommendation for a Master’s?

Benefits of lor for master’s admission abroad.

• Tips to Craft a LoR for a Master’s
• What is the Format of a LoR for a Master’s?  

Sample LOR for Master’s Abroad

Frequently asked questions.

Letter of Recommendation (LoR) can strongly influence your admission chances by offering valid proof of your candidacy. It sheds light on your uniqueness and individuality in a pool of similar-looking applications. Understanding a LoR’s intricacies will help you utilize the opportunity to the maximum of your favour. 

For master’s admission abroad, a Letter of Recommendation is one of the mandatory documents. It is a document written by your professors or employers, highlighting your candidacy for admission. 

• By a LoR, you are recommended by an expert for admission to a university abroad.
• A LoR serves as proof of your skills, practical experience, and enthusiasm. 
• Usually, 2 – 3 LoRs are asked for admission to Master’s courses abroad. 
• Credibility and validation of your application: Recommendations from your professor or an expert professional with valid contact details add weight to your credibility. Since these people know you personally, their expert opinion is accepted as a testimony for your admission eligibility.
• Highlights your personal qualities: A LoR can give a holistic view of your personality and let your personal attributes, like teamwork, leadership, persistence, etc., stand out. Crafting a LoR highlighting your personal qualities leads to a positive assessment of your profile, as these qualities are not explicit with your grades or academic certificates. 
• Details your potential and abilities: LoRs explain your persona in a subtle way. Through the third party’s words, you can effectively describe your skills and abilities, concluding it with your potential for future success. 
• Provides contextual information: LoRs explain your background in depth. They detail how you overcome challenges, your professional journey, your positive outlook, and your uniqueness compared to peers. 
• Documents your fit for the master’s program: Other than your academic scores and experience, LoRs are crucial to show proof of your eligibility for a master’s program. Your LoRs prove your goals and interests align perfectly with the program’s goals. The insights by a third party can offer customized insights tailored to the program’s offerings. 
• Supports your application: In your master’s application, LoRs support your claims by providing third-party validation. The supplementary information regarding the projects and research work you have done boosts your profile. 

Tips to Craft a LoR for a Master’s 

• Be purpose-oriented: Understand why you are submitting a LoR. When you ask your professor or employer to write a LoR, clearly convey the document’s purpose. Ensure your qualifications and skills are highlighted for your master’s admission and that the document addresses the right people. 
• Submit your information in detail: Although the one crafting the LoR knows you well, provide additional information regarding you before they craft a LoR. It will enhance the depth of your document and give an authentic touch to it. Ask your writer to contextualize your achievements by rightly highlighting your personal qualities. 
• Maintain the specified format: Stick to the formal format specified for your LoR. For a master’s, a LoR is expected to be a formal document with addresses, salutations, candidate details, writer details, and details of recommendation.

What is the Format of a LoR for a Master’s? 

A LoR for a master’s is a formal document with candidate details, writer information, and recommendations. It can be 1 or 2 pages long, around 400 – 500 words. It is the information that matters the most, not the length of your document. 

• Date: Specifically mention the date of writing a LoR. It is better to put a recent date on the application. 
• Institution address: Address the institution of your master’s admission in the first place. 
• Opening: Start your LoR with greetings, like “Dear Officer” or “Dear DSO”. If the opposite person’s address is not clear, you can simply state, “To whoever it may concern”. 
• Acknowledge the consent: Your LoR writer must acknowledge the complete consent to write a LoR for you. The document can begin like, for example, “It is my pleasure to recommend AAA for Master’s in Finance at BBB University”.
• Writer information: Don’t forget to clearly mention who is writing the LoR and the writer’s relation to the student. 
• Give recommendation: Directly start with the recommendation and state why the student is eligible for master’s admission to the specific university. The reasons can be the student’s skills proven in research activities, internships, collaborations, etc. 
• Conclude and sign: Conclude the recommendation organically and sign the document. 

In short, LORs should be on the official letterheads of the institute/organization. They must have the signature of the writer along with the seal of the institute/organization. It should also have the recommender’s official email address.

How to submit a letter of recommendation?

Many universities ask the recommenders to email them directly from their official email address. In other cases, the letters of recommendation are sent along with your academic documents. Once you receive the letter of recommendation from your professor or employer, verify the information and upload it to the university application portal. 

Here is a Letter of Recommendation sample for a master’s abroad. If you are searching for a template, customize the document in your favour and get it reviewed by an expert. 

In short, understand your purpose and focus on crafting unique LoRs to highlight your application for a master’s. 2 – 3 such LoRs act as a strong catalyst for your master’s admission success. Ensure you include your personal information, skills, achievements, and all the merit in your LoRs. 

Looking for helping hands in your LoR and other documents? Nomad Credit can extend tailored support to ensure your success in your global study. Connect with Nomad Credit and receive seamless guidance in admission, education loan options, and student visas at zero cost. Join today for hassle-free master’s admission abroad!

Is a LoR mandatory for master’s admission abroad? 

Generally, 1 – 3 letters of recommendation are required for master’s admission abroad in STEM and non-STEM categories. 

How LoRs help in your master’s admission? 

Letters of recommendation show your unique candidacy and trustworthiness. These documents are proof for your eligibility to get admission to a master’s program. 

Are LoRs related to academic grades? 

A letter of recommendation is not directly related to your academic performance. However, a strong academic background is helpful when you document your strong candidacy in your LoR. 

Who is an ideal fit for writing a LoR for a master’s? 

Your professors or an employer who closely worked with you are some people who can write a LoR for you. In the case of an employer, your work must be related to your field of study. 

Will universities abroad contact the person who wrote a LoR? 

You must provide your LoR writer’s contact information. Universities abroad may or may not contact your LoR writers.

• CAMPUS LIFE
• Request Info

Master of Education Letters of Recommendation

• Student Success
• Bachelor's Programs
• Certificate Programs
• MA in Organizational Leadership
• MS in Data Analytics
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Communication Sciences & Disorders
• MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
• Letters of Recommendation
• Scholarship & Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• Request Information
• M.Ed in Curriculum, Teaching, and Assessment
• M.Ed in STEAM
• M.Ed in Teacher Leadership
• Student Opportunities
• Kappa Delta Pi
• Field Experiences & Student Teaching
• State Certifications
• Accreditation
• Student Learning Outcomes
• About College of Arts and Sciences
• Attend Information Session
• M.Ed in Educational Studies
• Ed.D Higher Educational Leadership Concentration
• Dual Degrees
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business and Technology
• Saint Luke's™ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Academic Support
• Academic Advising
• Aylward-Dunn Learning Center
• Greenlease Library
• Honors Program
• Study Abroad
• Academic Integrity
• Center for Service Learning
• Advanced College Credit Program
• Commencement
• Course Schedules
• Institutional Review Board
• University Press
• Campus Life

Instructions to Applicant

Two letters of academic or professional recommendation are required as part of the application packet. The letters should be written by two persons who know you professionally or in an academic setting. We suggest that one of the professional references be from a current or former employer and one from a former teacher or professor, if possible, who can speak to your potential to serve as an educational leader. Ask each person to place his/her letter in a sealed envelope, sign his/her name over the seal and then return the envelope to YOU. We ask that you then submit these letters with your application package. The package is not complete without these two letters of recommendation. Please give this form to the recommender who should attach it to the letter of recommendation.

You must provide all information requested in this section. Your name will be used to ensure this recommendation is matched to your application file.

Instructions to Recommender

The person named below is applying for admission to the Rockhurst University Master of Education program and has asked that you write a letter of recommendation on his/her behalf.

Speak to this person’s potential to serve as an educational leader and his/her ability to be successful in a graduate program.

Please scan the completed form with the letter of recommendation and email a copy to [email protected]

Because Rockhurst University is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, we discourage you from referring directly or indirectly to an applicant’s disability.  

Printable Letter of Recommendation Form

Name of Applicant

Name of Recommender

FERPA Rights

◯ I waive the right by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) to view this letter of recommendation in my file at Rockhurst University.

◯ I do not wish to waive this right. Rather, I wish to retain the right to view this letter in my file at Rockhurst University.

Signature of Applicant

Sample Recommendation Letter for Graduate School

• Job Listings
• Skills & Keywords
• Salary & Benefits
• Letters & Emails
• Job Interviews
• Cover Letters
• Career Advice
• Work-From-Home Jobs
• Internships

Who to Ask for a Recommendation

• How to Ask for a Grad School Reference
• Sample Recommendation Letter
• Thank You for a Recommendation

More Recommendation Letter Examples

One of the many tasks that college professors are asked to do is write letters of recommendation for students and graduates who wish to apply for graduate school. Most professors are more than happy to do this for students who have excelled in their classes or who they know from extracurricular activities or campus activities.

However, writing these letters takes time away from lecture planning, student advising, and essay grading. Often instructors end up writing these letters of recommendation on their own time, so it's important to provide as much assistance as you can to the person who is writing your recommendation.

For most graduate school programs, you’ll need several letters of recommendation. The best people to ask for a recommendation include:

• A professor at the school granting your undergraduate degree
• A professor who knows you well
• Someone with the degree you are seeking in graduate school
• Someone who has academically evaluated you in an upper-division class
• A supervisor at a job or internship related to your graduate program

You can also consider asking an academic advisor to provide you with a recommendation.

How to Ask for a Grad School Reference 

If you're applying to graduate school and need a letter of recommendation, try to make it as easy as possible for your professor by giving them information to work with: a copy of your resume, a list of your outstanding academic achievements and grade point average (GPA), awards and honors, a list of your extracurricular or volunteer activities (especially those where you filled a leadership role), and the date by which the letter must be submitted to the graduate program. Share your transcript with your recommender as well.

A well-written, enthusiastic letter of recommendation from a professor may do more than get you accepted into graduate school—it may also convince the department faculty to give you fellowship funding for tuition or paid employment as a research or teaching assistant.

Make sure to give your professor ample lead time to write a detailed and powerful letter for you. At the minimum, a few weeks notice is best.

Be sure to ask your professor if they are able to provide a recommendation for you. This gives them an out if they don't have time or don't feel that they can give you a strong reference.

Also, if you ask an instructor to write a letter for you right away, it’s likely that they may either decline or will dash off a quick letter that doesn’t advocate strongly for your candidacy.

Below you will find an example of a letter of recommendation for graduate school and also an example of a letter thanking the reference provider for recommending you. It’s important to thank your professors for their help—should you eventually earn a graduate degree in their field of expertise, these faculty may one day be your colleagues.

This is an example of a recommendation letter for graduate school. Download the graduate school reference letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word) or see below for more examples.

The Balance

Sample Reference Letter for Graduate School (Text Version)

Jane Doe 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 jane.doe@email.com

April 18, 2022

Jeff Lee Office of the Registrar Acme School 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee,

I highly recommend Emily Smith as a candidate for graduate school. I have worked with Emily in my capacity as Education Department Chair at Salitus College. 

While a student at Salitus, Emily maintained a 3.98 GPA while taking a full load of honors classes and seminars. She excelled as the top student in the senior-level Teaching Methods course I teach; her other instructors in our department speak highly of her performance in their classes, as well.

In addition to her classwork, Emily was also employed in various positions including teaching a museum program to fourth-grade classes in the Saratoga Springs School District, teaching both adults and children to ride horses, and managing horse show participation for a local riding stable.

She accomplished all these tasks with great initiative and with a very positive attitude. Emily has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially the "at-risk" children she worked with at Carroll Hill School and Prospect Child and Family Center. Emily has a special talent working with the children who need more guidance and support than those typically found in a traditional classroom setting.

Her ability to connect with her students and her talent at teaching simple concepts, as well as more advanced topics, are both truly superior. She has excellent written and verbal communication skills, is extremely organized, reliable, and computer literate.

Emily would be a tremendous asset to your program and I recommend her to you without reservation. If you have any further questions with regard to her background or qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Signature (hard copy letter)

Jane Doe Chair, Department of Education

Thank You Letter for a Recommendation

Also review a thank you letter written to show appreciation for a reference for graduate school.

Graduate School Reference Thank You Letter Example

Alexandra Janning 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 alexandra.janning@email.com

May 1, 2022

Jane Doe Chair, Department of Education Salitus College 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Dr. Doe,

Thank you very much for the reference to Anycity Graduate School. I learned so much from you during my undergraduate career at Salitus, and I believe your faith in me gave me the confidence to achieve more than I thought possible.

I just learned that I have been accepted into the program! I really appreciate your support and the time you took to write personally to your colleagues at Anycity Graduate School on my behalf. 

Sincerely yours,

Alexandra Janning

Review examples of letters of recommendation and get free templates to download, including academic, employment, and personal reference letters.

• Academic Recommendation Letter Examples and Writing Tips
• Recommendation Letter Sample for a College Student
• Sample Reference Letter from a Teacher
• Sample Recommendation Letter for a Teacher
• Thank You Letter to Coworkers Examples
• How to Write Reference Letters for Students and Recent Grads
• How to Write an Academic Cover Letter With Examples
• Recommendation Letter Examples, Templates, and Tips
• Sample Cover Letters for Higher Education Communications
• 3 Samples of Formal Employee Recognition Letters
• Writing a Software Developer Recommendation Letter
• Recommendation Letter Sample
• Moving On Congratulations Letter Examples
• Thank You Letter for a Job Lead Examples
• Career Networking Email and Letter Examples
• Reference Letter Examples

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 amazing recommendation letter samples for students.

Letters of Recommendation

How important are recommendation letters in a college application? According to William Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid at Harvard, they are "extremely important."

If you're a student, examples of great letters of recommendation can help you understand how to get strong letters yourself from your teachers. If you're a teacher, the examples in this guide will inspire you to support your students strongly as they apply to college. Keep reading for four excellent letters from teachers that will get anyone into college , along with expert analysis on why they're so strong.

Important Note: Are you looking for job recommendation letters? If so, check out my great post here!

First, let's understand the role of recommendation letters in your application.

Why are Recommendation Letters Important?

The majority of admissions officers at four-year colleges, especially private schools, emphasize that their process is holistic . They seek to gain a sense of the student as a "whole person," rather than focusing on pieces of who she is based solely on grades and test scores. Since they rarely meet the student in person, the recommendation letters, along with the student's own personal essay, play a huge role in illuminating her intellectual and personal qualities.

That's why recommendation letters from teachers, especially those who know their students well, carry a great deal of weight in applications. A letter that expresses a strong vote of support, as well as highlights a student's impressive academic and personal strengths , can have a powerful effect on that student's chances of admission.

Let's look at some samples of strong recommendation letters, one from an English teacher, another from a physics teacher, the third from a history teacher, and the final one from a math teacher. Then we'll break down exactly why these letters of recommendation are effective.

The first example recommends Sara, a senior who loves to write and read poetry.

Sample Letter #1: Sara the Poet

Dear Admissions Committee, I had the pleasure of teaching Sara in her 11th grade honors English class at Mark Twain High School. From the first day of class, Sara impressed me with her ability to be articulate about difficult concepts and texts, her sensitivity to the nuances within literature, and her passion for reading, writing, and creative expression- both in and out of the classroom. Sara is a talented literary critic and poet, and she has my highest recommendation as a student and writer. Sara is talented at considering the subtleties within literature and the purpose behind authors' works. She produced an extraordinary year-long thesis paper on creative identity development, in which she compared works from three different time periods and synthesized cultural and historical perspectives to inform her analysis. When called upon to give her thesis defense in front of her peers, Sara spoke clearly and eloquently about her conclusions and responded to questions in a thoughtful way. Outside of the classroom, Sara is dedicated to her literary pursuits, especially to poetry. She publishes her poetry in our school's literary magazine, as well as in online magazines. She is an insightful, sensitive, and deeply self-aware individual driven to explore art, writing, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. Throughout the year Sara was an active participant in our discussions, and she always supported her peers. Her caring nature and personality allow her to work well with others in a team setting, as she always respects others' opinions even when they differ from her own. When we held a class debate about gun laws, Sara opted to speak for the side opposite her own views. She explained her choice as motivated by a desire to put herself in other people's shoes, view the issues from a new perspective, and gain a clearer sense of the issue from all angles. Throughout the year, Sara demonstrated this openness to and empathy for the opinions, feelings, and perspectives of others, along with shrewd powers of observation, all qualities that makes her outstanding as a student of literature and burgeoning writer. I am certain that Sara is going to continue to do great and creative things in her future. I highly recommend her for admission to your undergraduate program. She is talented, caring, intuitive, dedicated, and focused in her pursuits. Sara consistently seeks out constructive feedback so she can improve her writing skills, which is a rare and impressive quality in a high school student. Sara is truly a stand-out individual who will impress everyone she meets. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at [email protected]. Sincerely, Ms. Scribe English Teacher Mark Twain High School

This is a thorough, glowing recommendation for a student that Ms. Scribe clearly knows well. What other features make it stand out as a strong letter of rec?

The Breakdown

Ms. Scribe has a high opinion of Sara and her skills at writing and literary analysis. One way that she expresses this is by using powerful and specific language. She doesn't merely say Sara is a good writer. She says she's articulate about difficult concepts and sensitive to the nuances within literature. She calls her insightful and self-aware with shrewd powers of observation.

These descriptors don't happen by accident. Ms. Scribe took the time to choose her words carefully , and that effort paid off with a strong letter that captures Sara's special qualities.

Ms. Scribe also supports her characterization of Sara with examples . She describes her thesis paper and how she responded to questions thoughtfully under the pressured situation of her thesis defense. She gives the example of the debate on gun laws to illustrate Sara's openness to many different points of view.

In addition to illuminating her intellectual and personal strengths and supporting them with specific examples, Ms. Scribe speaks to Sara's goals for the future. She points out that she is talented at writing, poetry specifically, and that she is committed to continuing to improve as a writer in her future.

This letter, by virtue of its wording, length, and specificity, shows that Ms. Scribe took the time and effort to recommend Sara thoughtfully and with conviction. The fact that she knows Sara well and is committed to helping her application succeed with a thoughtful letter further adds weight to her assessment.

This letter would be a boon to Sara's application, especially if she's applying to study writing or English. She clearly impressed her English teacher and, in return, got a memorable, complimentary letter of recommendation for her college application.

This next example is similarly enthusiastic and detailed. It's for a student applying to an engineering program.

Sample Letter #2: Stacy the Engineer

Dear Admissions Committee, It is a great pleasure to recommend Stacy for admission to your engineering program. She is one of the most exceptional students I have encountered in my 15 years of teaching. I taught Stacy in my 11th grade honors physics class and advised her in Robotics Club. I am not surprised to find out she is now ranked at the top of an extraordinarily capable class of seniors. She has a keen interest in and talent for physics, math, and scientific inquiry. Her advanced skills and passion for the subject make her an ideal fit for your rigorous engineering program. Stacy is a perceptive, sharp, quick individual with a high aptitude for math and science. She is driven to understand how things work, whether they be the old computer hard drives in the school library or the forces that hold our universe together. Her final project in class was especially impressive, an investigation of frequency-dependent sound absorption, an idea that she said was sparked by not wanting to bother her parents with her hours of guitar practice at home. She's been a strong leader in Robotics Club, eager to share her knowledge with others and learn new skills. I have the students in the club prepare lessons and take turns leading our after-school meetings. When it was Stacy's turn, she showed up prepared with a fascinating lecture on lunar nautics and fun activities that got everyone moving and talking. She was our only student teacher to be met with much deserved applause at the end of her lesson. Stacy's personal strengths are as impressive as her intellectual accomplishments. She's an active, outgoing presence in class with a great sense of humor. Stacy's the perfect person to get a group project rolling, but she also knows how to sit back and let others take the lead. Her cheerful nature and openness to feedback means she's always learning and growing as a learner, an impressive strength that will continue to serve her well in college and beyond. Stacy is just the kind of driven, engaging, and curious student that helped make our classroom a lively environment and safe place to take intellectual risks. Stacy has my highest recommendation for admission to your engineering program. She has demonstrated excellence in all that she puts her mind to, whether it's designing an experiment, collaborating with others, or teaching herself to play classical and electrical guitar. Stacy's endless curiosity, combined with her willingness to take risks, leads me to believe there will be no limit to her growth and achievements in college and beyond. Please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Sincerely, Ms. Randall Physics Teacher Marie Curie High School

Ms. Randall is clearly as much of a fan of Stacy as she is of Mileva Marić. How does she communicate her recommendation?

Ms. Randall plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking : Stacy is one of the most exceptional students she's had in 15 years of teaching. A statement like this is pretty extraordinary and will make an impact in the mind of its readers. Stacy sounds like a special student, and she chose her recommender well.

Like in the last example, this letter uses strong, specific language , calling Stacy a perceptive and sharp person who has the confidence and good humor to take intellectual risks. Through its accurate and expressive language, this letter helps Stacy come to life in the mind of the reader.

Beyond the evaluation, Ms. Randall gives specific examples of Stacy's academic and personal strengths. She talks about her successful teaching in Robotics Club, her leadership in group projects, and her dedicated practice to teaching herself to play the guitar.

Rather than spreading the letter too thin, Ms. Randall highlights a few core themes. She connects Stacy's love of music with her passion for physics by talking about the frequency-dependent sound absorption project. All the threads tie together in a nice, memorable bow.

This letter is a strong vote of support for Stacy's application to an engineering program. Her physics teacher admires Stacy's skills and goals, and she made it clear that Stacy had her highest recommendation in this letter.

This next example also comes from a teacher who's extremely impressed with his student. It focuses on the student's performance in class and his volunteer work outside the classroom.

Sample Letter #3: William the History Buff and Social Organizer

Dear Admissions Committee, It is hard to overstate the meaningful contributions that William has made to our school and surrounding community. As both his 10th and 11th grade History teacher, I've had the pleasure of seeing William make profound contributions both in and out of the classroom. His school and community service is motivated by a strong sense of social justice, which he informs through a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of historical trends and events. I can say with confidence that William is one of the most caring and driven students I've ever taught in my fifteen years at the school. As a child of immigrant parents, William is especially drawn to understand the immigrant experience. He produced an extraordinary semester-long research paper on the treatment of Japanese-Americans in the U.S. during WWII, in which he went beyond all expectations to conduct Skype interviews with relatives of his featured subjects to incorporate into his paper. William has a great capacity to draw connections between past and present and to ground his understanding of current issues in the context of historical events. He never retreats to a simple answer or explanation, but is comfortable dealing with ambiguity. William's fascination with U.S. and World History and skill for deep analysis have him an exemplary scholar, as a well as a motivated activist driven to promote civil rights and work towards social equity. In sophomore year, William noticed that the college planning seminars students attended included little information for first generation or immigrant students. Always thinking about how institutions can better serve people, William spoke with counselors and ESL teachers about his ideas to better support all students. He helped collect resources and design a college planning curriculum for immigrant and undocumented students to enhance their college access. He further helped organize a group that connected ESL students with native English speakers, stating his mission to be helping ELLs improve their English and increasing multicultural awareness and social cohesion at the school as a whole. William identified a need and worked with students and faculty alike to meet it in an extremely effective and beneficial way. Ever the history scholar, he did plenty of research to back up his ideas. William believes passionately in social progress and working for the common good. His own personal experiences, along with his profound grasp on social history, drive his advocacy work. He is a talented, intelligent student with the charisma, confidence, strong values, and respect for others to make a huge difference in the world around him. I'm looking forward to seeing all the good that William continues to do for his fellow humanity in college and beyond, as well as the excellent work that he will produce at the college level. William has my highest recommendation. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. Sincerely, Mr. Jackson History Teacher Martin Luther King, Jr. High School

Mr. Jackson's letter makes William sound like a pretty amazing student and person. How does he go about expressing his admiration for William in this rec letter?

Like Ms. Randall did in her letter, Mr. Jackson provides a statement of outstanding ranking for William, calling him one of the most caring and driven students he's ever taught. Considering his long teaching career of 15 years, this says a lot about William as a student and a person.

Also like in the last example, Mr. Jackson focuses on a few core aspects of William's character. He talks about his love of history and how it informs his social activism. He comments on his exceptional historical scholarship, as well as his personal qualities of caring for those around him and working for the social good.

Mr. Jackson also gives insight into William's personal life , explaining how he has a personal connection to his projects and volunteer work as the child of immigrant parents. This letter reveals that William is a thoughtful, motivated individual who connects his own experiences with his learning and desire to contribute to his community.

The letter also showcases William's exceptional accomplishments by giving specific examples of William's research paper and his work supporting the academic and personal needs of ELL students. Mr. Jackson expresses his enthusiastic recommendation while illuminating William's love of learning and strength of character. This letter would be both impressive and memorable to admissions officers considering William for admission to their school.

This next example comes from a math teacher. Let's see what Mr. Wiles has to say about Joe.

Sample Letter #4: Joe the Hard Worker

Dear Admissions Committee, It is my pleasure to recommend Joe, who I taught in my 11th grade math class. Joe demonstrated tremendous effort and growth throughout the year and brought a great energy to class. He has that combination of a positive attitude and the belief that he can always improve that's rare in a high school student, but so essential to the learning process. I am confident that he will continue to display the same commitment and diligence in everything he does. I highly recommend Joe for admission to your school. Joe would not describe himself as a math person. He's told me on several occasions that all the numbers and variables make his mind go fuzzy. Joe did, in fact, struggle to comprehend the material at the beginning of the year, but his response to this is what really struck me. Where so many others have given up, Joe took on this class as a welcome challenge. He stayed after school for extra help, got extra tutoring at the nearby college, and asked questions in and out of class. Due to all his hard work, Joe not only raised his grades, but he also inspired some of his classmates to stay after for extra help, as well. Joe truly demonstrated a growth mindset, and he inspired his peers to adopt that valuable perspective, too. Joe helped contribute to our classroom environment as one where all students can feel supported and able to ask questions. Joe's strong belief in his ability to acquire new skills and improve through practice was likely shaped by his years as a baseball player. He's played all through high school and is one of the team's most valuable players. In his final for our class, Joe designed an impressive project calculating and analyzing batting averages. While he initially described himself as not a math person, Joe reaped the benefits of his tremendous effort and found a way to make the subject come alive for him in a way that he was personally invested in. As a teacher, it is incredibly fulfilling to witness a student make this kind of academic and personal progress. Joe is a trustworthy, reliable, good-humored student and friend who supports others in and out of the classroom. He was a pleasure to have in class, and his positive attitude and belief in himself, even in the face of difficulty, is an immensely admirable asset. I'm confident that he will continue to demonstrate the same diligence, perseverance, and optimism that he showed myself and his peers. I highly recommend Joe for admission to your undergraduate program. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions at [email protected]. Sincerely, Mr. Wiles Math Teacher Euclid High School

While the students featured in the first three examples were top of their class or demonstrated leadership in the school, Joe isn't a top achiever in the traditional sense. However, this recommendation is still a strong one, even if it says he struggled in the teacher's class. What does Mr. Wiles focus on to recommend Joe?

Mr. Wiles writes a strong letter for Joe, with the same kind of enthusiasm and specific examples as the other three letters. Even though Joe may not have gotten the strongest grades in his math class, he found an enthusiastic recommender in his math teacher. Mr. Wiles was extremely impressed with Joe's attitude, effort, and growth mindset , which he demonstrated throughout the year and inspired in his fellow classmates.

Mr. Wiles focuses on Joe's substantial personal strengths, ones that would likely be impressive to his future educators. Even in a subject that may not come naturally to him, Joe is diligent and committed. He's not self-conscious about asking questions or seeking extra help, and he retains a strong belief in himself that he can continuously learn, improve, and acquire new skills.

This letter, like the others, is effective because it is focused, supportive, and backed up with examples. As you can tell from these examples, recommendations can communicate a great deal about a student. Because of this, they can have a powerful impact on a student's chances of admission. So what can teachers and students do to make sure they are sending a strong recommendation letter that will help their chances?

Enthusiasm is key.

How to Get a Strong Recommendation Letter

While these letters are about different students with different interests, they share certain fundamental features. One, they sound excited and enthusiastic. The teachers clearly communicate that they are impressed by these students and eager to help them get into college.

At the same time, the letters don't go overboard because they have examples to back up their assessments. Specific examples and stories are key for backing up the assessment. Plus, they make a letter more interesting and memorable. Rather than just another engineering applicant, Stacy is the student who researched sound-absorption to spare her parents from hours of guitar scales.

Finally, the teachers all discuss their students' personal strengths , along with their academic strengths. They present the holistic view that admissions officers are looking for, along with their strong vote of confidence in the students' future success.

Teachers should incorporate all these features into their letters, and students should help provide them with the raw material to write about. While students should choose a teacher who knows them well and has stories and observations to share, they should also give their teachers a detailed "brag sheet" and let them know what would go into their ideal letter. That way it can be even more personalized and complement the story the student is telling in the rest of her application.

While recommenders may or may not share their letters with students, there should still be open, two-way communication when the student makes her request . That way students and teachers can work together to produce an insightful, enthusiastic, and specific letter of recommendation to send to colleges.

What's Next?

Are you a teacher writing recommendations for your students? Read all about how to write an outstanding recommendation letter for your students , along with what not to include.

Are you or a student you work with applying to a selective school, like Harvard? Learn about what kind of letter she should get for the Ivy League.

Now that you've read these examples of strong teacher recommendation letters, check out these examples of bad ones . Warning: rec letters may appear better than they actually are.

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• Graduate School

Grad School Letter of Recommendation Example

With tips on who, how & when to ask for a grad school letter of recommendation..

Looking at a grad school letter of recommendation example or two can be very useful when preparing your graduate school application. Whether you've been asked to  write your own letter of recommendation  or you're still trying to figure out how to ask for a recommendation, examples will give you a better idea of what your letter needs to include, how it should be formatted, and who it should come from. In this blog, we share a grad school letter of recommendation example, and we also provide some tips to help you get the best letter of recommendation possible from your chosen writers.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 7 min read

What is a graduate school letter of recommendation.

If you have decided to go to graduate school, then you need to know that your grad school letter of recommendation is one of the most important application components you will submit. It is an objective evaluation of your suitability for graduate school in the form of a letter written by a third party who has either worked with you, taught you, or supervised you in the past. 

These recommendation letters are extremely important because they allow the grad school admissions board to learn more about you directly from one of their peers, a professor, or from a different respected professional. This professional's assessment of your skills and abilities helps the board determine whether you have what it takes to excel in their program and why your strengths and background make you the perfect fit for their school.  

Some grad school programs give students the option of submitting letters of recommendation instead of making it a required part of the admissions process. If your chosen school happens to be one of them, we recommend that you still submit at least two letters of recommendation, as they will add valuable information to your overall application. 

Before we look at the typical format of a grad school letter of recommendation, you should remember that some schools provide specific instructions for the letters of recommendation. Always verify the admission requirements of the program you are applying to. If there are any instructions for the recommendations, it is imperative that you share them with your chosen writers so that they can write the letter according to the school's specifications. 

That said, unless otherwise stated by the school, your grad school letter of recommendation should be a one-page document, neatly organized into four to six paraphs. We recommend that it be written in a classic font that is easy to read, like Ariel or Times New Roman, in 10 to 12 points.

Wondering how to get into grad school?

Keep in mind that your grad school letter of recommendation is a formal academic document. So it is best to keep the structure simple and easy to follow. We recommend the following:

The closing statement is just almost as important as the opening one. It needs to be strong, and it should include the recommender vouching for your application once again, followed by a standard closing phrase and the writer's name and signature. ","label":"Closing","title":"Closing"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

To Whom it may concern, 

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter recommending Aisha Diallo for your Applied Social Psychology master's program. I am an associate professor at [Name of University], and I have known Aisha for approximately three years. I first met her when she was a student in my Theories of Psychology class during her freshman year. I was so impressed with her that when she applied for a research assistant position in our department a few months later, I was compelled to give her the role. 

As a student, Aisha is passionate and committed to her studies. When she first started in my class, she struggled with some of the material, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she enrolled in a tutoring class only a few weeks into the semester. Most students do not take that kind of initiative during their first year in college, so her actions told me that she was committed to doing well in my class and her studies in general. 

Additionally, her passion for psychology is undeniable. During class discussions, she frequently asked questions and made intelligent contributions, which I thoroughly enjoyed. As a research assistant, she continues to do the same - asking about different procedures, doing her own research about some of the concepts discussed in the lab, and going the extra mile to ensure every task she is given is meticulously completed. 

Despite being involved in several extracurricular activities while maintaining an impressive GPA, she showed up early for every shift, delivered every assignment on time, and on several occasions, she stayed after hours to help her colleagues take care of other administrative tasks like writing emails to follow up with the participants of our study or updating the bulletin boards around our office to make sure all of the posters and infographics are up to date. 

Over the past three years, I have gotten to know Aisha as a student, an employee, and a person. I can confidently say that her passion for the field of psychology, hardworking nature, and strong desire to learn will make her a great addition to any program. 

I hope you will strongly consider accepting her to your program, and I remain available if you have any questions about her candidacy.

Joshua Smith, PhD 

Ask the right recommenders

If you want to secure a strong letter of recommendation, you need to select your recommenders carefully. Most graduate school programs ask for at least three letters of recommendation, and typically at least one of them needs to be written by a professor or instructor from your undergraduate program. However, picking the right referee is not as simple as choosing someone with the right professional title. 

We recommend that you ask yourself the following questions for the recommenders that you are considering asking for a letter: 

You should try as much as possible to select writers who are connected to your chosen field of study as they can speak to the specific qualities that you need to succeed in your program. For example, if you're hoping to get into the  Wharton school of business  to pursue their MBA\/MA in international studies, getting a grad school letter of recommendation from a business or a political studies professor would be a good idea. "}]">

Ask early and courteously

Many students are unsure when or how to ask for grad school letters of recommendation. When applying to college, the timeline is more straightforward, so students have a pretty good idea of when and how to ask for  college recommendation letters.   For graduate school, you must remember that the manner in which you ask for a letter of recommendation will directly impact the quality of the letter that you receive if you even receive one at all.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your chosen writers have all the information they need to write and submit a strong grad school letter of recommendation. We suggest putting together an information packet that you can give to your chosen writers to make sure that they are prepared. Make sure that this includes your contact information so that they can reach out if they need additional information. 

Your information packet should include the following items:

• An updated copy of your  CV for graduate school 
• A copy of your admissions essays (e.g., statement of purpose, personal statement,  statement of intent , etc.)
• A list of the graduate schools you are applying to 
• An autobiographical document detailing your relevant extracurricular experiences and a rough outline of your career goals.
• A short list of specific accomplishments, experiences, and anecdotes from your time with them that they can include in the letter. 
• Any specific formatting and submission instructions provided by the graduate schools you are applying to. 
• The deadline to submit their letter
• Your contact information 

Your grad school letter of recommendation is one of the most important application components that you will submit because it tells the admission committee how other professionals view you and what they think of your abilities. So, you must secure quality letters of recommendation if you want to improve your chances of getting into graduate school.

That will depend on your chosen program. Typically, graduate programs ask for two or three letters, but that varies greatly from one school to another, so always verify the requirements of the school you are interested in.

It should be a one-page letter unless your chosen school requests something different.

It would be best if they didn't. You want your recommendation letter to come from an objective source that has worked with you or evaluated your work over a long period of time. Friends and family members usually don't fall in that category, so the admission board will think that they are biased.

Some graduate school programs will give you specific instructions for recommendation letters, so always verify those first. You should get a recommendation from individuals who know you well and worked with you long enough to talk about your skills and abilities using specific examples.

It would be best if you asked as early as possible. We recommend that it be at least six to eight weeks before the letter is due so that your chosen writer has enough time to write a strong letter.

Whenever possible, you should ask for a recommendation letter in person. However, if meeting face to face is not an option, you can craft a professional email and send it to your chosen writers.

You should provide them with as much information about your grad school candidacy as possible. You can share a copy of your personal statement, grad school CV, and your transcripts, for example. Make sure they also have your contact information in case they need additional details.

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to make your grad school application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee you'll get into grad school or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

• FRONT MATTER

Sample Graduate School Recommendation Letters

The three sample recommendation letters that follow, which you can download by clicking on the link below, are effective because they detail what makes the students stand out as exceptional and because they paint individual pictures of each student. Note how these excerpts, excerpted from each of the three letters, individualize and humanize the student:

“I have been especially impressed by Janet’s determination and sparkle.” “I enthusiastically supported her application for the student position on the Mythic University Board of Trustees for the same reasons. She was the runner-up for that distinguished post, and Mythic University lost out on a true leader. But I believe her time is yet to come.” “In short, John is both scholarly and culturally entrenched, ambitious but not pretentious, self-deprecating yet confident, forthright but unassuming, delightfully irreverent yet appropriately respectful—a complex and whole human being.”

In addition, the writers of these three letters take advantage of many of the rhetorical strategies discussed in Chapters 3 and 4 of this manual: enhancing their own credibility, narrative technique, anecdotal evidence, recommending by citing others, and using active verbs and transitions.

Finally, a late paragraph in the last letter, at the prompting of the graduate scholarship application, even provides a few criticisms of the student. Because these criticisms are offered even-handedly and efficiently, I would argue that the letter has even more ethos, and it is noteworthy that the student still landed the desired scholarship.

Covid Specials: We are here to help you!

• +91-22-62437100
• +91-7021886353
• [email protected]
• Schedule a FREE call

• Study Abroad Counseling
• Parent Counseling
• Sat/act Prep
• College Selection
• Statement Of Purpose
• Extended Essay
• Theory Of Knowledge Essay
• Essay Tutorial
• Hbs Interview
• Post Interview Essay
• Re-applicant Essay
• Resume Review
• Ding Analysis
• Post Result Admissions Strategy
• Post Result Career Guidance
• Scholarship Application
• Waitlist Letter
• Letter Of Recommendation (lor)
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Career Test
• Career Counseling
• Career Booster
• Cover Letter
• Job Interview Prep
• Linkedin Review
• Goal Setting Workshop
• Consulting Interview
• Essay Editing And Applications
• Study Abroad Faq
• Process Faq
• Feedback Form
• Career Test Faq
• Study In India Counseling
• Isb Applications
• Interview Prep
• Letter Of Recommnedation (lor)
• Post Result Admission Strategy
• Research Fellowship
• Community Work
• Art Portfolio
• Policy Fellowships
• Subject Classes (8th To 12th)
• Online Courses
• Communication Strategy
• Book Editing
• Undergraduate

Executive Education

• Deferred Mba
• Undergraduate Transfer
• Global Executive Mba
• Study Abroad Testimonials
• Career Guidance Testimonials
• Test Prep Testimonials
• Partner Testimonials
• Past Admits
• Client Profiles
• Profile Auditors
• Resume Builder
• Essay Editor
• Sat To Act Score Converter
• Gre To Gmat Score Converter
• Toefl To Ielts Score Converter
• Sample Undergrad Essays
• Sample Undergrad Resumes
• Sample Undergrad Lors
• Undergrad Guides
• Undergrad Checklists
• Masterclasses
• Undergrad Video Tutorials
• Undergrad Campus Vibe
• Sample Masters Essays
• Sample Masters Resumes
• Sample Masters Lors
• Masters Guides
• Masters Checklists
• Masters Video Tutorials
• Masters Campus Vibe
• Free Mba Profile Auditor
• Sample Mba Essays
• Sample Mba Lors
• Mba Checklists
• Mba Video Tutorials
• Mba Campus Vibe
• Sample Ph.d Essays
• Ph.d Guides
• Exec Ed Guides
• Plan My Career
• Career Library
• Sample Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Sample Linkedin Profiles
• Top Global Universities
• Top Mba Programs
• Admission Officers Insights
• House Of Experts
• Lockdown Diaries
• Enlightenment – Online Competition
• How To Finance Your Education
• Scholarship

Don't let the lockdown lock you down!

We know that the present pandemic can be difficult. However, this is a great time to reflect on your study abroad and career goals and plan ahead. We have made our services accessible at reduced prices in this lockdown. ReachIvy.com Experts are here to help you!

Study Abroad

Career guidance, study in india, skill enhancement, testimonials, undergrad (8th – 12th grade), m.phil / ph.d, online competitions, finance your education, please wait, sample masters lors.

• Free Resources
• Video Tutorials

Looking for Letter of Recommendation Samples for your Master's degree program? We can help.

A well-written recommendation letter can tip the scales in your favor. If you seek admission to top Master's programs, you need to know how to get good recommendations from high-profile industry heads and college professors. Here are samples of LORs used for college applications by our past students. Use these recommendation letter samples to improve your own LOR. Maximize your chances of admission!

Our recommendation letters have been lauded by students who have got admission to top schools abroad. Use these letters as your stepping stone to learn what needs to go in a good recommendation letter.

"Masters – MIM – Recommender 2"

"masters – mim – recommender 1", "masters in finance – johns hopkins 2", "masters in finance – johns hopkins", pick a service.

M.Phil/Ph.D

OUR STUDENTS HAVE REACHED

Recommendations

Recommendations and references have a similar role in a selective process. Recommendations are usually formal, confidential letters provided to a graduate school or other academic-based program, while references are used by employers to confirm qualifications before making an offer.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation provide a detailed and persuasive argument for why and how the subject of the letter (you) should be admitted to the program you are applying for.

Typically, letters of recommendation are used as part of an application, most often for advanced degree programs but also for selective programs like fellowships, scholarships, or experiential learning. For example, a letter of recommendation is required for applications to the Yawkey Nonprofit Internship Program.

These letters are usually sent directly to the admissions office or selection committee rather than provided to the applicant. Some recommenders also choose to provide a copy to the person they are writing the letter about.

Ask people who can write about your relevant strengths and who will submit a recommendation on time.

You may need to ask different people, depending on what you are applying for. Some applications may require a personal recommender as well as an academic or professional one.

• Ask those who know you well: They will be able to write a more comprehensive and detailed letter.
• Ask those who can write a strong and relevant recommendation: You want a recommender who thinks highly of you—particularly in areas relevant to what you are applying for.
• Ask those who can submit the letter on time: A glowing letter that arrives late won’t help you.

In order to plan ahead, have an honest conversation with the people you would like to ask for a recommendation well in advance of starting your application.

• Could they be a strong recommender?
• If not, what steps can you take to improve or to help them get to know you better?
• What are the qualities or criteria that they use to determine whether they can provide a strong recommendation?

When to Ask

Ask at least three weeks in advance of the submission date.

Give them plenty of time to make a decision about writing the letter and so that it is as persuasive as possible. Make sure they are aware of the official deadline in addition to your timeline, especially if you would like them to submit the letter early.

Ask in an email.

Wait for an Honest Answer

The person needs time to consider your request. You want all recommendations to be strong ones. If someone you ask feels as though they cannot write a strong recommendation, it is better that they decline, so that you can ask someone else.

Package the Details

You should include all of the necessary details as well as additional helpful information all in one place. This makes it easier for them to reference what they need to know and make a decision. If the topic initially comes up during a meeting or conversation, send a follow-up email as a formal request and so that you can provide all of the details they will need.

• What you are applying for
• Any requirements in content or format
• Timeline—your preferred timeline and/or the actual deadline
• How and/or where to submit the letter

Additional Suggestions

• Why you chose them as a recommender, either generally or for a specific program
• A copy of your resume
• A copy of items that speak to why you are applying, either for the field generally or for a specific program, such as a personal statement or application essay
• Anything else that helps

Request: Write a Letter of Recommendation

Dear _____________, I hope you are doing well. I wanted to let you know that I was really inspired after _____________, and it has led me to decide to pursue ___________. I am in the process of applying for ________. My application requires a recommendation letter from a ______ [their role: professor, former or current supervisor, etc.] and since __________ [the reason you are asking this person specifically], I was wondering if you would be willing to write a strong recommendation about me for my application. If so, the application is due __________, which allows four weeks to complete the letter. I would also be happy to meet with you if you would like to learn more about why I am applying to ____________ and what skills make me a good fit for it. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing back regarding your decision. Best, Your Name

After Asking

It is your job to prompt your recommender to write and submit the letter on time. If needed, send a gentle reminder a week before the deadline and ask if they need more information.

After your recommender submits the letter, be sure to follow up and thank them.

Follow-Up: Deadline Reminder

Dear _____________, Thank you again for agreeing to write a recommendation letter for my application to ________. I wanted to check in as the deadline is ________, just one week from today. Please let me know if there’s any additional information that would be helpful to you in writing the letter. Best, Your Name

Asking for Future Applications

If you think you might need letters of recommendation in the future, it is better to request them while you are still at BU and have good relationships with faculty or others you want to ask. Dossier service platforms like Interfolio will keep the letters confidential until you are ready for them to be submitted to an admissions or selection committee.

• Accelerated MBA Student
• Actuarial Science, Data Analytics & Math
• Arts, Music, Design & Marketing
• Biotechnology, Pharmacology, & Sciences
• Communications, Literature & Media
• Counseling, Human Services & Social Services
• Cybersecurity, Engineering & Information Technology
• Government, Law Enforcement & Politics
• Ministry & Religion
• Accounting, Data Analytics, Economics & Finance
• General Business, Management & Sales
• Human Resources & Recruiting
• Marketing, Communications & Public Relations
• Healthcare & Physician Assistant
• Exploring Majors & Careers
• External Internships and Jobs
• Graduate School
• Interview Prep
• Cover Letters
• Apply to Jobs & Internships
• Featured Videos
• Network with Alumni

Checklist For Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

• Share This: Share Checklist For Requesting a Letter of Recommendation on Facebook Share Checklist For Requesting a Letter of Recommendation on LinkedIn Share Checklist For Requesting a Letter of Recommendation on X

Requesting a letter of recommendation is an essential aspect of your academic and professional development. Assumption University career professionals have curated the attached checklist to guide students in navigating this process effectively and professionally.

500 Salisbury Street Alumni Hall 026 Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 (508) 767-7227 [email protected]

Department of Biology and Microbiology Graduate School Admission

Admission to the graduate program in the Department of Biology and Microbiology requires admission to the Graduate School and acceptance into one of the department programs. Admission to the Graduate School requires:

• Grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) during the last two academic years of the undergraduate degree program.
• Submission of GRE-General test scores (GRE scores above the 50th percentile will strengthen the case for admission).
• Two letters of recommendation or personal reference forms .
• For foreign applicants: a TOEFL score of 575 (paper-based), 233 (computer-based) or 90 (internet-based) or a score of 6.5 for the IELTS. Admission requires that a faculty member from the department agrees to serve as the major adviser.

Acceptance to the departmental programs is competitive and limited by resources (i.e., personnel, facilities, and research funding) necessary to provide a quality graduate education for the students.

Application procedure: Learn more about the admission requirements .

The following documentation must be submitted in hard copy to the SDSU Graduate School:

• Application form before semester begins: Domestic applicants: June 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring semester. International applicants: April 15 for Fall and August 15 for Spring semester.
• Application Fee.
• Baccalaureate or Masters degree certificates from previous institution(s);
• Official University transcript. International Applicants: transcripts need to be certified by WES.
• Proof of Immunization.
• Two letters of recommendation and Personal Reference Form from University Faculty.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (or the equivalent): conditional admission may be granted under special circumstances.
• Minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score above the 50th percentile is expected: conditional admission may be granted under special circumstances.
• Formal resume (CV).
• A personal statement highlighting your area of interest, your relevant experience and your future career goals;
• A list of potential research faculty advisers in the Department of Biology and Microbiology.
• For international students: a. Minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT), 233 (computer), 575 (paper), or IELTS score of 6.5. b. Evidence of financial support (e.g. pre-assigned assistantship from the Department (see point 3 under Criteria for acceptance below). c. Medical records .

Criteria for acceptance Acceptance into the graduate program of the Department of Biology and Microbiology is based on two major criteria:

• Fulfillment of all the requirements listed above.
• Provisional acceptance by a research adviser . The Department only accepts graduate students who have contacted and have been accepted into the program by a particular faculty member/adviser .
• In order to qualify for a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA), all international applicants and students whose first language is not English, will have to interview by telephone with the Graduate and Undergraduate coordinator, Radhey Kaushik , who will evaluate English speaking proficiency.

How To Apply For College: Forbes Advisor’s Application Checklist

Updated: Jan 2, 2024, 1:26pm

Applying for college can be a lengthy, stressful and complicated process, with lots of moving parts and deadlines. Filling out an undergraduate application typically involves gathering documentation, taking standardized tests, writing essays and asking for letters of recommendation, among other steps. It’s easy to get overwhelmed.

To help you stay organized, we’ve put together this college application checklist. Here, we round up all the materials you need and the dates by which you need them. We even provide a printable version of this checklist to guide you as you work through this process.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Save This Checklist

Keep track of your most important application tasks and deadlines with the simplified PDF version of this checklist. Save it to your phone or print it out for easy reference. (If you print it, make sure to choose the “fit to paper” scale option!)

Forbes Advisor’s College Application Checklist 

Before you start.

You can’t begin the application process until you’ve made a plan. Start by narrowing down your prospective schools. Know where you’re applying, what each application entails and the due dates you need to meet.

Decide About Early Decision

It’s important to determine whether you plan to apply for early decision or early action at any school. As the name implies, early decision often involves an earlier due date for your application.

Early decision comes with perks—admission rates for early-decision applicants tend to be higher, for example, and you learn about your admission decision more quickly—but this method comes with strings attached, too. For example, if you are admitted on early decision, you may have to give your response before learning whether other colleges have also accepted your applications, and you may have to withdraw your applications to other schools.

Get a Jump Start on Standardized Tests

You should prepare for and take the SAT early on since many students take the SAT multiple times. If you plan to take the ACT more than once, consider taking the ACT early on as well. And make sure to sign up for the Common App , which allows you to use a single form to apply to multiple colleges.

Your Checklist

• Know which schools you’re interested in
• Take the SAT
• Know if you plan to apply for early decision
• Mark down all college application due dates
• Sign up for the Common App

Two Months Before College Applications Are Due

A couple of months before your deadlines, things are getting down to the wire. If you’re submitting standardized test scores, it’s time to make sure your results are up to snuff. If you plan to take the ACT , now is the time to do it. And if you weren’t satisfied with your earlier SAT scores , it’s time to retake that test as well.

• Take the ACT
• Retake the SAT (if applicable)

Four Weeks Before College Applications Are Due

Most undergraduate applications require letters of recommendation , at least one of which must come from an academic source. You could ask a teacher, a school counselor or another faculty member to write your recommendation letter.

Keep in mind that these individuals are busy professionals who may be writing multiple letters of recommendation for other students, so it’s important to give them at least a few weeks to complete this task.

• Ask for letters of recommendation

Several Weeks Before Applications Are Due

Not all universities ask applicants to submit essays, but this is a common requirement for many. If you’re applying to schools that require college essays , you’ve probably been working on yours for a while—potentially even as assignments in your English class.

In the weeks leading up to your application deadlines, it’s time to polish up those essays and get them ready for submission. Gather feedback from trusted peers, teachers and mentors, and make edits as necessary. Make sure your essays answer the prompts, comply with word count requirements and are free of grammatical errors.

• Complete college essays

The Week Before Applications Are Due

At this point in the application process, it’s time to gather all the materials required for your college application. These may include the application forms themselves, preliminary transcripts, test scores and essays. Make sure your letter-writers have finished your recommendation letters as well.

Once all your documents are in order, there’s no need to keep waiting—submit those applications.

• Gather letters of recommendation and required materials
• Submit all applications

Before, During and After Applying to College

Applying for college and applying for financial aid are separate processes. Before, during and after your college application process, you should be researching scholarships and grants to help you pay for your education.

Unlike student loans, scholarships and grants do not require repayment. These forms of aid may be need-based, merit-based or use other identifying characteristics, like ethnicity or religion. If you qualify for a scholarship or grant, make sure to apply—these awards can add up to make a big difference.

• Apply for scholarships and grants

During October

We recommend submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) regardless of whether you think you will qualify for financial aid. The factors determining aid eligibility are complex, so you may qualify for a federal student loan even if it seems unlikely to you. Many states use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state-level student aid as well. Some aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting the application in a timely manner is wise.

Also by October, you should know whether you will be registering to take any AP exams. The College Board usually requires all AP test-takers to register for their exams by November 15, but your high school may impose an earlier deadline for registration. Make sure you know and are on track to meet those deadlines.

• Gather materials and submit the FAFSA
• Know when to register for AP exams

By May, you should have received responses for all your college applications. Of the schools that granted you admission, you should have narrowed down your options and decided where you’d like to attend. Now, it’s time to make it official.

Note that if you were accepted to a school on early decision, you will have to complete this step of the process much earlier in the year—usually by February.

• Accept an offer of admission
• Decline offers of admission from schools you will not attend

During June and July

By this point, you’ve accepted admission to a college and you’ve graduated from high school—but we’re still going. Now that you’ve officially wrapped up your high school career, it’s time to tackle these last remaining tasks: submitting AP scores and official transcripts.

Send these materials in June if possible, and check with your prospective college for its specific deadlines—they are usually in early or mid-July.

• Submit AP scores (if applicable)
• Submit final transcripts
• Ranking The Most Affordable States For College Students
• Should You Attend Graduate School Online?
• Choosing A Major: How To Find What Major Is Right For You
• Online College Accreditation
• Do You Need The SAT For College Admission?
• Free Student Laptops
• How To Transfer Universities
• Online Checklist For Students
• What Is A Good GPA In College, And Does It Matter?

ASVAB Study Guide 2024

How To Learn German: Tips And Tricks

How To Learn Korean Online: Everything You Should Know

How To Learn Spanish: A Complete Guide

How To Learn Japanese: Tips And Methods

How To Learn French: A Step-By-Step Guide

• Investigative Stories
• Entertainment
• Life & Living
• Tech & Startup
• Rising Star
• Star Literature
• Daily Star Books
• Roundtables
• Star Holiday
• weekend read
• Environment
• Supplements
• Brand Stories
• Law & Our Rights

Most Viewed

Another sponsor director pulls out of Islami Bank

Column by Mahfuz Anam: From people to a ‘bubble’

Biden stumbles early, Trump fires out falsehoods at first debate

IMF suggests raising repo rate by 50 basis points by Dec

On surviving the transition from school to university

The first major transition most students face is the one from high school to university. While this is an important and exciting time in their lives, it leaves many struggling to cope with the sudden changes and decisions one must now make.

Throughout the years our routines become centred around our school schedules. When to wake up, when to go home, even the faces you see on a regular basis and the annual exam stress cycles are all dictated by your school. To some, school becomes a home away from home, while to others it is merely a place that they must endure for a good few hours a day. Regardless, it becomes the backbone of your day-to-day life and once that is gone, it can feel as though life has lost its structure and regularity.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

Treating life as a transitional period

During the transition period, structure can be found in building new habits and devoting time toward your hobbies. The routine that you are confined to in your school years often leaves little room to focus on yourself. This is the perfect opportunity to build habits that will be beneficial in university, such as regularly planning out your tasks. This is also a great time to work on a healthier lifestyle by starting to exercise regularly or by doing something as simple as working on an improved sleep schedule, as the last couple years of school are commonly driven by long, sleepless nights.

Prioritising your mental health during this period is particularly important for a multitude of reasons. Throughout your school life, you are accustomed to working towards the same goals as your peers. This, however, is not the case once school is over. Students are now faced with the mammoth task of deciding what they want to do with their lives as they begin the first chapter in their own unique journey. Students applying to undergraduate programs abroad may have already committed to a university, some may be preparing for admission tests for institutions at home, while others may opt toward taking a gap year, looking to improve their resume or just find their footing. Having broken off from the pack, you will begin moving at your own unique pace.

Many tend to feel overwhelmed and stuck in limbo during this time as they compare themselves to their peers and consequently feel like they are falling behind. Therefore, it is crucial to self-reflect frequently and remember that you are working towards your own goals, which are unaffected by what others may be achieving. Finding your own pace is instrumental to building your career going forward.

Although the transition phase from school to university is bittersweet, filled with changes and farewells, there is much to look forward to in a new chapter. Each transition brings you closer to the goals you have strived for and the person you aspire to be.   

Related News

Getting started with your first electronics project

BRACU students secure 1st, 2nd, and 4th positions at National Mathematics Olympiad

Afloat, Untethered

What makes modern-day Bangladeshi comics so interesting

More than 100 students at Haileybury receive honorary certificates from MIT's Edgerton Center

‘খালেদা জিয়াকে মুক্ত করুন, অন্যথায় যেকোনো পরিণতির জন্য তৈরি থাকতে হবে’

‘এই দেশের মানুষ খালেদা জিয়াকে কারাগারে বন্দি অবস্থায় চলে যেতে দেবে না’

বে টার্মিনাল প্রকল্পে ৬৫০ মিলিয়ন ডলারের ঋণ অনুমোদন দিল বিশ্বব্যাংক