Worst LOR Mistakes - BEWARE! 🤯🔥 | Letter of Recommendation | Study Abroad

Summary

In this video, Niha Agraval discusses common mistakes students make when writing letters of recommendation (LORs) for studying abroad. She emphasizes the importance of selecting recommenders who know you well, avoiding excessive adjectives without evidence, and maintaining an appropriate length of 375-475 words. Agraval advises against generic openings and encourages tailoring each LOR to highlight different experiences. By avoiding these pitfalls, students can enhance the quality of their LORs and improve their chances of admission to their desired universities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Choosing the right recommenders is crucial; opt for those who know you well rather than just high-ranking individuals.
• 😀 Personalized letters are more impactful than generic ones, which often lack specific examples.
• 😀 Avoid excessive adjectives without supporting evidence; focus on demonstrating qualities through real-life examples.
• 😀 Maintain an ideal letter length of 375-475 words to ensure sufficient detail without being overly long or short.
• 😀 Starting the letter with 'To whom it may concern' is unprofessional; instead, address it to the admissions committee.
• 😀 Highlight different experiences in each letter to showcase a variety of skills and qualities.
• 😀 Letters should focus on fewer qualities but provide evidence to back them up, making them more believable.
• 😀 Ensure the recommendation letters complement each other rather than overlap in content.
• 😀 Lengthy letters can appear unrealistic and may not be thoroughly read by the admissions committee.
• 😀 Review programs can help refine your letters of recommendation before submission.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) when studying abroad?

The primary purpose of an LOR is to support a student's application by providing insights into their skills, experiences, and character from someone who has observed their work or academic performance.

Who typically writes LORs for students?

LORs are usually written by professors or employers who can provide a detailed account of the student's qualifications and experiences.

What is a common mistake students make when selecting recommenders?

A common mistake is choosing recommenders based on their reputation rather than their familiarity with the student, which can result in generic letters lacking specific insights.

How can students ensure their LORs highlight different qualities?

Students should choose different recommenders for each LOR, each focusing on different experiences and skills, such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, or work experience.

What are the drawbacks of letters written by highly reputed individuals?

Letters from highly reputed individuals may be more generic because these recommenders often do not have personal insights into the student's capabilities, making the letters less impactful.

Why should students avoid excessive adjectives in their LORs?

Using excessive adjectives without supporting evidence can make the letter seem unbelievable and give the impression that a student wrote it, rather than a teacher.

What is the ideal length for an effective LOR?

The ideal length for an LOR is between 375 to 475 words, which provides enough space to convey meaningful information without overwhelming the admissions committee.

What is an unprofessional way to start an LOR?

Starting an LOR with 'To whom it may concern' is considered unprofessional; a better approach is to address it to the 'Admissions Committee' or 'Admissions Officer.'

What should students do if they want to learn more about writing LORs?

Students can enroll in courses focused on writing effective LORs, receive sample letters, and get reviews of their letters through specialized programs.

How can students demonstrate their qualities in an LOR?

Students should provide recommenders with specific examples or stories that illustrate their qualities, allowing those attributes to emerge naturally rather than being explicitly stated.