When planning to apply for a Canada Study Visa, a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a must. Because of the exceptional quality and stiff competition of the applications, a letter of recommendation plays a vital role in the admission process.
Alongside your grades, academic records, resume, and personal statement – universities give a lot of weight to your letter of recommendation when they evaluate if you are the right candidate for their programs. These LORs tell them what others think of your work, experience, wit, and character.
Let us understand a bit more about the LORs.
What is a Letter of Recommendation?
A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a document that gives admissions personnel a thorough understanding of your qualifications for admission to a university in question. It is the recommender’s role to paint a positive image of your experiences, contributions, talents, and accomplishments.
A LOR is the sincere support of a person for a certain position, reward, or admission into a program. For these very reasons, it becomes important to know how to write a Letter of Recommendation.
Types of Letter of Recommendation
There are several reasons why someone would request a Letter of Recommendation. Currently, there are three types of LORs to choose from:
- Academic Recommendation Letters
When asked to submit a LOR when applying for a Canada Study Visa, the letter should highlight both the academic achievements and personality traits that make them a good fit for the course/program they’re seeking.
- Employment Recommendation
Employment Recommendations are another type of LORs that is used for professional use. Such LORs showcase the candidate’s academics and reviews from their previous workplace. Such LORs are required to determine whether the candidate has the necessary skills for the hiring position or not.
- Character References
A Character Reference is a type of LOR that you may receive after completing a course of study or job. Such Character References are carried out by someone who is familiar with you on a personal and professional level, such as colleagues, friends, or teachers.
Letter of Recommendation: Things to Include
There are different standards for writing a Letter of Recommendation. Before you start with the content of the letter, make sure to mention these things:
- Date
- Recipient Name
- Recipient Title
- Recipient Address
- Greetings
Here’s how you continue after this –
- Personal Information – Start the body of your letter with a personal introduction of yourself and your relationship with the candidate.
- Recommendation – What makes the candidate a great fit, according to your recommendation? Give specific examples of abilities or qualities that are appropriate for the position. Include a personal narrative of what it’s like working with the applicant.
- Closing – Give a closing summary of why you think this individual is a good fit for you in recommending the candidate.
Letter of Recommendation: Mistakes to Avoid
When crafting a Letter of Recommendation, candidates often add information that isn’t necessary – resulting in unfavorable outcomes. When writing a LOR, one should be aware of the mistakes to avoid.
- Excessive broad descriptions or general terminology of a student’s classroom performance.
- Emphasizing a student’s timeliness or ability to finish the readings. Basic expectations should not be detailed in the LOR.
- Avoid taking too much time about the relationship with the person or the course.
- While subtle praise is fine, avoid talking or praising the applicant too much.
Tips to write a Letter of Recommendation
Here are some tips offered by a study abroad consultant in Mumbai that will help you draft a top-notch Letter of Recommendation.
- Do your research – Before you create one, do some research about the company the candidate is applying for, and if possible, the position too, and how they operate.
- Be specific – Instead of using general clichés or phrases, provide examples and detailed facts to demonstrate why this individual is the greatest prospect.
- Maintain an optimistic attitude – Your recommendation should reaffirm that this individual is a good contender for the position, and you should demonstrate genuine excitement.
- Keep it formal – Use a business letter format with a font size of 12 points in Arial or Times New Roman. Try keeping it short and formal.
- Follow the instructions – You’re recommending this individual, and you need to make sure to avoid any special submission criteria and submit your letter on time.
- Don’t be afraid to say no – If you believe that you cannot provide a candidate with a great Letter of Recommendation, it is fine to say no.
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