Academic LOR: What Should It Say?

Example:

UG: I would particularly like to highlight his assignment on calculating the kinetics of an entire chemical industrial process, which exceeded my expectations. His strong conceptual knowhow and ability to collate information from multiple sources made it one of the most well-researched class assignments that I have come across in my teaching career spanning over 10 years. 
PG: In group assignments, John was a valuable team member, providing key insights and perspectives. For his team’s pitch on ‘NFC enabled locks’, he demonstrated the ability to organize the team and delegate responsibilities to each of his teammates. His own contribution on the feasibility study demonstrated his extensive research and also his understanding of the user interfaces.

Participation outside-the-classroom:

Academic letters of recommendation should comment on the student’s contribution to the school community beyond the classroom. This could be in the form of competitions, paper presentations, extracurricular activities etc. Doing so will present to the admissions committee the image of a student who is well-rounded, values practical experiences and believes in applying their knowledge in different settings and platforms.

Example:

UG: Beyond school, John has attended prestigious summer school programs such as YYGS. He has also completed an online course on ‘Social Entrepreneurship’ by Copenhagen University on Coursera. Further, John has voluntarily shared these international educational experiences with his peers and encouraged them to appreciate experiential learning.

PG: In addition to studying engineering, Paras has also pursued his interest in finance and management simultaneously. He has not only interned as a financial analyst but also taken up finance-related courses and started his own venture. This shows his keen business acumen, time management and multitasking skills. Finally, as a campus ambassador for ‘Internshala’, an online portal for internship opportunities for students, Paras has also made significant contributions and encouraged students to realize the significance of experiential learning. His strong leadership skills won him the Platinum Award Certificate for ‘Most number of VTC enrolments in March 2017’.

Personal skills:

Academic letters of recommendation should not be restricted to highlighting your academic credentials. They should also talk about your personal skills and your presence in class. Are you an active participant in discussions? Do you have the ability to express your ideas logically and coherently? Are you respectful toward your teachers? Are you supportive of your peers/classmates? Do you engage in knowledge sharing? How do you perform in group assignments? Have you demonstrated initiative and leadership in class? Addressing such questions shows the admissions committee that you are an engaged student who believes in collaborative learning.  

Example:

UG: As an individual, he is able to work independently as well as thrive in team settings. He is extremely respectful of the opinions of his teammates, even if they are markedly different from his own views. Despite having a strong knowledge of the subject, he never imposes his ideas on his classmates. Rather, he treats differing perspectives and ideas as new learning avenues.

PG: As her mentor, it has been a pleasure to watch her grow from a diffident individual to someone who dedicates herself to an idea, and is willing to shoulder responsibility for it. Whether this involves coordination with peers or composing academic papers, Catherine has proved herself equal to the task at hand.

Rounding off:

Remember to tie all loose ends when ending the letter of recommendation. Make sure the letter doesn’t end on an abrupt note; rather it should reiterate your ability to succeed in your chosen course and university and that you have your teacher’s strongest recommendation and endorsement.

Example:

I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of teaching John. He is an extremely bright and driven student. I recommend him to your esteemed undergraduate program without any reservations. I am convinced that his passion for the sciences, perseverance and intellectual acumen will enable him to be an invaluable addition to your student community. I wish him all the success for his future endeavors. 

So, step beyond templates and assist your teachers in drafting letters of recommendation that tell compelling stories, by tactfully discussing interesting anecdotes. If you are still confused about the right examples and right anecdotes, get in touch with an admissions counsellor now!