While the SOP is written by you, an LOR is generally written by your professor/ employer/ teacher/  internship supervisor. It serves as a backing for the achievements and skills mentioned in your SOP. It should include how you proved to be an asset for the company/school/college. Explain how your goals are aligned for the field of study.

It is generally addressed to the admissions officer or your employer.

It should show how you gained your soft skills and what are your learning capabilities.

Now, the LOR might differ for different areas of study.

LOR for STEM courses

Science and engineering courses require students to have an insatiable interest in the area of study. Thus the LOR should be able to show that. An LOR for science courses are more academic oriented. 

It should show your learning and creative abilities, research abilities, and analytical reasoning skills.

LOR for Management courses

The admission committee for management courses are looking for candidates with strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. An LOR should be able to show just that. It should showcase your leadership skills. It can include any event that led you to show your skills of working in a cohesive environment portraying your problem solving skills.

The admissions officer at the university for management courses will look for:

1. Your leadership skills
2. Whether you are a good communicator or not.
3. Critical Reasoning skills
4. Time management and prioritisation skills
5. Conflict management skills

LOR for Arts and Humanities courses

These courses require an entirely different set of skills.

The observational and creative abilities are of the foremost importance.

The LOR should show your motivation for working for the society. It should show how empathetic you are. All of this can be shown with small anecdotes from your life.

Format of an LOR is important. Include how you’re associated with the teacher/professor/mentor. The professor should include a little introduction as well.

We, at AEMS, are always there to guide you what to include and what not to include. Feel free to reach out.

Common mistakes in an LOR

1. Sending the same LOR for different courses/schools.
2. Not choosing the appropriate person to write your LOR
3. Too many details and less substance.
4. Writing without a structure.
5. Using bad grammar/spellings.

Format

Paragraph 1: Should introduce the recommender and detail his/her achievements. Detail his/her association with you.

Paragraph 2: Should detail your strengths, weaknesses and also highlight your skills and achievements.

Paragraph 3: The conclusion. Summarising the recommender’s opinion of you.

And lastly, the salutation.