Letter of Recommendation (LOR): How to Get a Strong One from Professors

Letter of Recommendation (LOR): How to Get a Strong One from Professors

Your SOP (Statement of Purpose) tells the university who you think you are. Your LOR (Letter of Recommendation) tells them who others think you are.

Admissions committees trust LORs more than SOPs because they come from credible third parties. A generic "He was a good student" letter is useless. You need a "He was the top 1% student I've taught in 10 years" letter.

Whom to Ask? (The Hierarchy)

Don't just chase the HOD (Head of Department) or Dean if they don't know your name. Rule: Relationship > Designation.

1. Best: A Professor who taught you 2+ subjects, knows you by name, and gave you an 'A' grade.
2. Good: A Project Guide under whom you did a thesis/internship.
3. Okay: An Employer/Manager (for professional LOR).
4. Bad: The College Principal (who has never spoken to you).

When to Ask?

Timeline: Ask at least 1 month before the deadline. Professors are busy. If you ask 2 days before, they will either refuse or copy-paste a template.

How to Ask? (The Email Script)

Don't just say "I need LOR." Give them context.

Subject: Request for Letter of Recommendation - [Your Name]

Dear Professor [Name],

I hope you are doing well.

I am applying for MS in Computer Science for Fall 2026. I thoroughly enjoyed your classes on [Subject 1] and [Subject 2] (in which I secured an 'A'). Your guidance during my final year project on [Topic] was particularly inspiring.

Would you be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation for my application?

I have attached my Resume and valid SOP for your reference. If you prefer, I can also provide a draft of points to highlight.

Regards, [Your Name]

The "Draft" Strategy

Most professors are happy to recommend you but hate writing. They might say: "Send me a draft, I will sign it."

Do NOT copy online templates. They are flagged by plagiarism checkers. Structure of a Good LOR:

1. Intro: How long they have known you and in what capacity.
2. Academic Prowess: Mentioning rank ("Top 5 in class") or specific project brilliance.
3. Soft Skills: Leadership, teamwork, curiosity.
4. Conclusion: Strong endorsement ("I recommend him without reservation").

Waiving Your Right to View

On application portals (CommonApp), you will see a checkbox: "I waive my right to view this recommendation." ALWAYS check "Yes".

• Why? It tells the university the LOR is honest and confidential. If you don't waive it, universities assume the professor wrote a polite but fake letter because they knew you would read it.

Key Takeaways

1. Diversity: If applying for MS, get 2 Academic LORs + 1 Professional LOR (if you have work ex).
2. Follow Up: Remind them gently 1 week before the deadline.
3. Thank You Note: After they submit, send a heartfelt Thank You email. Keep the bridge strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fake an LOR?

No. Universities email the official university ID ([email protected]) to verify. If caught faking, you are blacklisted globally.

What if I had average grades?

Focus on other traits in the LOR: Research potential, hard work, or project success. "He wasn't the top scorer, but he was the most innovative thinker."

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