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How to Write a LOR for MS ? (Updated 2020)

Written by  Piyush Bhartiya, MBA

Published on Thu, January 11, 2018 11:50 AM   Updated on Tue, November 24, 2020 7:35 AM   12 mins read

The letter of recommendation, or LOR as it is better known, is a document that provides the admission officers with an insight to your personality and character by which they can decide whether you are a suitable candidate for the admissions. The letter of recommendation is written by another person who gives the board of admission officers of a University or a college a brief review of your character, conduct, achievements, positive qualities etc.

How to write an LOR for MS

Paragraph 1: Why are you writing the letter?

Paragraph 2: How do you know the person?

Paragraph 3: Provide a personal statement.

Paragraph 4: Thanking for the opportunity to provide the recommendation. Contact details and Signature.

The length of the letter is often interpreted as a measure of the strength of your recommendation , if your recommendation is strong, the letter should go on to a second page. 

It is advised to include any position titles, including faculty appointments, in your signature.

“Real” signatures are obviously preferred over digital signatures.

How to LOR for MS in CS?

In Paragraph 1 one should write about the purpose for writing the letter.

In the second paragraph the contact details like how you know the person should be mentioned.

In third paragraph one should mention about the skills the student has in computers like languages known like c, c++, java etc. and his accomplishment in the field of computer science.

You can write about the coding ability, problem solving ability, algorithmic skills, etc. LOR should also include other non technical aspects of the candidate which you found in the candidate, say, dedication to put in late hours for the assigned task , structured way of thinking, leading ability, etc.

Lastly, write about the contact details.

How to write LOR for MS in Mechanical Engineering?

In Paragraph 1 one should write about the purpose for writing the letter.

In the second paragraph the contact details like how you know the person should be mentioned.

In third paragraph one should mention about the skills the student has in Mechanical engineering like knowledge of machines, subjects known like Computational Fluid Dynamics, etc. and his accomplishment in the field of Mechanical engineering. Also mention about the extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

In paragraph 4 write about the contact details.

How to write LOR for MS in Civil Engineering?

In Paragraph 1 one should write about the purpose for writing the letter.

In the second paragraph the contact details like how you know the person should be mentioned.

In third paragraph one should mention about the skills the student has in Civil engineering like knowledge of different architectures, subjects known like construction engineering, planning, graphics etc. and his accomplishment in the field of civil engineering.

In paragraph 4 write about the contact details.

How to write LOR for MS in Electrical Engineering?

In Paragraph 1 one should write about the purpose for writing the letter.

In the second paragraph the contact details like how you know the person should be mentioned.

In third paragraph one should mention about the skills the student has in electrical engineering like knowledge of machines , subjects known as Electromagnetic Wave Theory, Analog Digital Integrated Ckts, etc. and his accomplishments in the field of electrical engineering.

In paragraph 4 write about the contact details.

How to write LOR for MS in ECE?

In Paragraph 1 one should write about the purpose for writing the letter.

In the second paragraph the contact details like how you know the person should be mentioned.

In third paragraph one should mention about the skills the student has in electrical engineering , subjects known like Electronic Device Components, Control Systems, etc. and his accomplishment in the field of electrical engineering.

In paragraph 4 write about the contact details.

How to write LOR for MS in US?

The LOR must contain the details of the purpose, which college or university the candidate is going to apply for in the US.

It should contain the details of achievements of the candidate, his co curricular and extracurricular activities. It should also contain thee details about the contribution of the candidate to the society.

How to write LOR for MS in UK?

The LOR must contain the details of the purpose, which college or university the candidate is going to apply for in the UK.

It should contain the details of achievements of the candidate, his co curricular and extracurricular activities. It should also contain thee details about the contribution of the candidate to the society.

How to write LOR for MS in Australia?

The LOR must contain the details of the purpose, which college or university the candidate is going to apply for in Australia.

It should contain the details of achievements of the candidate, his co curricular and extracurricular activities. It should also contain thee details about the contribution of the candidate to the society.

How to write LOR for MS in Canada?

The LOR must contain the details of the purpose, which college or university the candidate is going to apply for in the Canada.

It should contain the details of achievements of the candidate, his co curricular and extracurricular activities. It should also contain thee details about the contribution of the candidate to the society.

How to write LOR for MS in Germany?

The LOR must contain the details of the purpose, which college or university the candidate is going to apply for in Germany.

It should contain the details of achievements of the candidate, his co curricular and extracurricular activities. It should also contain thee details about the contribution of the candidate to the society.

Steps to Write a good LOR for MS?

As far as the letter of recommendation is concerned you have to take into account many things. There are certain things you need to know and keep in mind for writing a letter of recommendation.

Steps to follow for writing LOR for MS:

1. Find the perfect referee

It is true that a letter of recommendation can be written by anyone who knows you personally but making any random person write your letter of recommendation isn’t a wise idea. The letter of recommendation is of much importance for every international student’s admission application.

This letter of recommendation plays a critical role in the Institution’s decision for approving an applicant’s admission. A letter of application should perfectly describe students talents skills and emphasize the unique qualities a student holds.

The letter of recommendation should also clearly explain the relationship of the referee with the candidate or the applicant. It is more advisable to get LOR from a person who has a close relationship with you or has been an academic guide it could be student’s lecturer. It is also important that your referees should have a good impression of you.

Getting LOR from a reputed person or a celebrity is indeed great but getting a LOR  for MS from them without any academic or personal relationships may result in getting a bad mark from the admission team.

2. Make a list of everything that has to be added to your LOR for MS

Once you have found the perfect referee you should start making a list of things that would make a strong letter of recommendation. You should have a clear picture in mind as to what all should be included in your LOR. Before your referee starts to write you LOR it is advisable to discuss with your referee and jot down every important point that you both come up with.

Your referee should have a personal experience of the incidences that you are planning to add to you in your letter of recommendation. It is important to make sure that your letter of recommendation should give his point of you and not yours. Make sure the content is not exaggerated and unnecessarily dragged as admission committee might find it boring and manipulated. It is important to discuss with your referee so that your character is illustrated and portrayed in the best possible manner to gain favor and the sight of the admissions’ committee.

Make sure that your Letter of Recommendation contains enough content to describe your person so that the admissions committee can make a favorable assessment on its basis. All your achievements and your positive qualities should be included and described from the point of view of the referee without any unnecessary exaggeration

3. Leave the rest to your referee in LOR for MS

Once you are done discussing the contents of your LOR sleep the rest to your referee. While discussing with your referee do not direct them with the exact words that have to be written in the letter of recommendation as it will lose its essence. The discussion should only be held so that no important points are missed out from your letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation should have the referee’s opinion about you.

What are the tips for writing a LOR?

Here are some points to keep in mind while writing a LOR:

1. It should be both formal and personal

To make the LOR more effective referee should keep the language formal as the formal letter is preferred by the admissions board. With formal language, it is important that the referee should mention the referee’s personal opinion and relation with the candidate giving clear reasons as to why he recommends the candidate.

2. Avoid grammatical mistakes

It is human to make mistake but with some double checking, we can avoid grammatical mistakes. Grammatical mistakes in the letter of recommendation may leave a bad remark about the referee himself which might affect the candidate he is recommending. It is advisable to check the letter of recommendation once you have completed it for clearing out spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or repetition.

3. Avoid exaggeration and unnecessary phrases

Too much exaggeration may make the letter of recommendation sound fake and boring. It is important to maintain the originality and genuineness of the LOR for MS. The admissions’ committee should find it true enough to rely on the letter of recommendation.

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Letter of recommendation is indeed a document that is crucial for getting admitted into your dream college. Now you have an idea how to get a perfect LOR. You should first find the perfect referee then discuss with you and let your referee do his job.

FAQs related to LORs for MS

Q.1. How do you get LOR for MS?

LOR is the key integral part of any applications. For MS, you might need 2 to 3 recommendations. Generally, you should have at least one from your own college. The best person to ask is the one you have done your undergraduate project, because they know your skills best.

Q.2. How many words should an LOR have?

Generally it is about 200–250 words long. An academic letter written by a professor or project guide should be ideally be of 300–400 words long. Any letter longer than 400 words is not at all required and it doesn’t look good.

Q.3. What is a good LOR?

A good LOR can be a ticket to your college admission abroad. A LOR is a letter written by an academic, administrator, or employer who recommends the applicant for a university study and states how suitable the applicant is for the graduate program he/she has chosen.

Q.4. What is a good LOR?

A good LOR can be a ticket to your college admission abroad. A LOR is a letter written by an academic, administrator, or employer who recommends the applicant for a university study and states how suitable the applicant is for the graduate programme he/she has chosen.

Q.5. Are LORs important?

LORs are very important as they reflect how well a candidate worked, and also your interpersonal skills like punctuality, the zeal to learn, and how good a resource you can be. They are a medium through which a professor is vouching for a candidate’s personal and professional conduct, and hence, the stronger the LOR, the better it is.

Q.6. Can a friend write a letter of recommendation for college?

Almost every college that you apply to will ask for two to three LORsm from people who know your professional, academic, and/or personal character. One of the most important things not to do is ask parents or other family members to write the recommendation letter for you.

Q.7. Is LOR required for Australia?

If a candidate wants to pursue post graduation degree through an MBA program in Australian universities it is  required to take the Graduate Management Admission Exam (GMAT). This is not compulsory at all, however, few colleges require this to take admission.

Q.8. What should a college letter of recommendation include?

Things to Include in a LOR for a College Scholarship

  1. Candidate’s Experience.
  2. The Candidate’s Potential.

Q.9. Does letter of recommendation need to be on letterhead?

Generally, recommendation letters should be submitted on letterhead if possible.

Q.10. Can a family member write a letter of recommendation?

The answer is No. Almost every college will ask for two to three LOR from people who know your professional, academic, and/or personal character. Important things not to do are ask your parents or other family members to write the recommendation letter for you.

Also Visit:
  1. Letter of Recommendation – Complete Overview
  2. Letter of Recommendation – LOR Samples
  3. Letter of Recommendation – LOR Format
  4. Letter of Recommendation – Writing Tips
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About the Author & Expert

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Piyush Bhartiya

Author • MBA • 20 Years

Piyush values education and has studied from the top institutes of IIT Roorkee, IIM Bangalore, KTH Sweden and Tsinghua University in China. Post completing his MBA, he has worked with the world's # 1 consulting firm, The Boston Consulting Group and focused on building sales and marketing verticals for top MNCs and Indian business houses.

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