Month: September 2023

While you wish to enrol yourself in various universities abroad, there are certain documents required, like application forms, passport, an SOP (Statement of Purpose), academic transcripts, an LOR (Letter of Recommendation), standardised study abroad exam scores, proof of financial resources, and so on.

This blog is all about the Letter of Recommendation (LOR), its format, tips you need, a sample to get an idea of how to write one, and so on. Read on to learn everything you need to know about a LOR and how to write an effective one to get yourself enrolled at your dream institution. 

What is a Letter of Recommendation (LOR)?  

LOR is a letter that recommends a student, colleague, co-worker or employee. When issued to a student, this letter will help the admissions committee know and understand more about the applicant, which paves the way for enrollment procedures. In short, this is the document that showcases the most impactful information and positives about the applicant from the point of view of their guide/ mentor/ supervisor/superior/faculty. 

How to Write a Good Recommendation Letter

The recommendation letter should follow certain guidelines to captivate the reader. As it’s a document that is crucial for one’s future, maintaining the correct format of a recommendation letter is very important. Moreover, these guidelines will give detailed information about the applicant and the importance of the recommendation letter. So before you get someone to write your letter of recommendation, ensure to include the below-mentioned elements. 

The First Paragraph: 

The beginning of the recommendation letter should explain the relationship between the referee and the student. This paragraph should contain small details about the referee, like the profession and/or area of expertise. It should also clearly mention how long the referee has known about the student and in what depth. 

The Two Following Paragraphs:

The next two paragraphs are all about the evaluation of the student from the perspective of the referee. There should be a line or two explaining why the referee thinks that the candidate is apt for the course. The adjacent paragraphs should slightly mention the achievements, which can be academic or otherwise. If it mentions skills, expertise, or accomplishments, it’s necessary to back the claims with examples.

The Final Paragraph:

The concluding paragraph should sum up the reasons for recommending the candidate for the university programme. Besides all of these, you should ensure that your letter of recommendation is formatted and aligned correctly with the right spacing and paragraph breaks.     

Types of LOR You Should Know

Academic Recommendation Letter:

The academic recommendation letter is for students who are in the middle of their admissions process. The student can ask for recommendation letters from their former teachers, principals, trainers, deans, and any educational professionals who are familiar with the student’s academic expertise and extracurricular activities. 

Most universities demand at least two or three letters of recommendation during the admissions procedure. 

Employment Recommendation Letter:

The employment recommendation letter is an effective way of getting yourself appointed. It includes work performance, employment history, work ethic, and individual achievements. Former or current employers or direct supervisors are most likely to write this letter. Even coworkers can write recommendation letters, but one from your employer or supervisor is preferred. 

Sample Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Format

You can use the below letter of recommendation example format for your education or employment needs.

11 August 2023

Bangalore

Dear Admissions Committee, 

As a professor of (subject) at (name of institution) in   Bengaluru, it’s an immense pleasure to recommend (student’s name) a final year BBA (name of course) student for the reputable (name of prospective course) course offered by the (university’s name), (location of university). I’m a qualified (position) in the (subject) with (number) years of experience in imparting knowledge to students. I have known (name of student) for at least 3 years. (Name of student)’s impartial understanding and curiosity in studying have helped evolve him/her into a promising student as well as a helping hand for classmates. 

He/She always amazed the faculty with his/her skills, both academically and extracurricularly. He/She is very keen to hear feedback and takes enough initiative to improve himself/herself to excel in as many areas as possible. (Add an example to support this claim.) The one quality that is worth mentioning is his/her willingness to help his/her peers as much as possible. 

(Student’s name) has represented our institution at the college and state level (competition name). Not only did he/she participate, but also made our college proud in all the areas where he/she knows how to shine. For the undergraduate project, he/she worked on the (topic). The way he/she presented this theme was excellent, including all the relevant data to make the project one of the best. He/She was always interested in organising new events at our college and volunteered without hesitation.

His/Her confidence, enthusiasm, kindness, self-discipline and inquisitive mind will ensure ongoing success in a brighter future. I heartily endorse (student) for the (course name) that your institution is offering, and I wish the best for him/her. 

Thanks and regards, 

Name

Signature

Email address

Phone number       

Do’s and Don’ts When Writing a Professional Letter of Recommendation

LOR Do’s

1. Always choose the right person to write a recommendation letter for you.
2. It’s more advisable to choose a referee who has known you for a long period of time. The LOR will be significantly strong if you have a referee who can mention your academic, non-academic and professional achievements. 
3. The referee should be given adequate time to draft the LOR. If you can, spend quality time with the referee, which helps in creating an outline that can align perfectly with the course or profession you are applying for.
4. The letter should be written in simple and crisp English to catch the attention of the readers. Grammatical errors must be avoided. 
5. The skills, abilities, and accomplishments in the LOR should match your course or profession. 
6. If skills have been added, they will be appreciated more when supporting details or documents are also present. 
7. All of the information mentioned in the LOR should be authentic and genuine. 
8. Ensure factual accuracy and add data to support those claims. 
9. If there is a word limit in the LOR, adhere to it. 
10. Follow the specified format and font while writing the LOR.  

LOR Don’ts

1. Never try to write LOR on your own using somebody else’s image. It will be considered illegal. 
2. Don’t try to get a recommendation letter from a person who doesn’t know anything about you, such as your educational or professional accomplishments.
3. Don’t wait until the last minute to send the letter of recommendation to the institution. 
4. The content should be plagiarism-free. Only use the content from the web for reference. 
5. The skills and achievements mentioned in the LOR should not be exaggerated. 

Overseas education or profession demands a recommendation letter, and it is important to make the letter as perfect as possible. It is actually a huge step towards your future accomplishments, so drafting it in a catchy format is a must. If you are having any trouble writing an LOR, it’s best to follow all the tips and tricks mentioned in the blog.  

Why is Salve Maria the Best Overseas Education Consultancy in Kerala?

Among the best study-abroad consultants in Kerala, Salve Maria has an established spot, as they have been capable of offering excellent services since their establishment. We have a high success rate in student placements to their dream destinations, like the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and so on. Our exceptionally high success rate in obtaining visas for all the applicants, as well as helping them submit their applications correctly, makes us the popular choice among students. 

We also assist the students with their IELTS training, which helps ease their path to getting enrolled in the college and country of their choice. Furthermore, our dedicated and excellent professionals will assist each student in pursuing their passion for studying abroad. 

FAQs Related to LOR Application

Canada – brings to mind snowy mountains, frozen lakes, expanses of wheat fields, ice hockey and maple trees. But of late it has also emerged as a major international education hub.

Is Studying in Canada Worth It?

Many students aspire to go abroad to study, as they want to learn new things and have different experiences. Canada is one of the most preferred destinations for international students because of the many benefits of studying in Canada.

A developed nation, it is peaceful and inclusive and the people are warm and hospitable. Canada also has friendly immigration policies, free healthcare, and is abundant in natural beauty – all factors that make it an attractive country to live in.

The many universities and colleges in the country offer a wide range of courses across numerous disciplines. 

But what makes Canada a great choice for studying abroad? Let’s take a look at the advantages of studying in Canada:

Affordable 

The tuition fee in Canada is very reasonable when compared to other countries – and you get a great return on your investment. That is, your employment prospects are pretty good once you complete your study in Canada. The cost of living is also surprisingly affordable in comparison to other English-speaking countries.

Quality Education

Canada has world-class universities and colleges with excellent pedagogical standards. 26 universities of Canada feature in the highest ranked universities of the world. The Canadian government provides support and encouragement for research in medicine, technology, telecommunications, agriculture economics, engineering, etc. 

The campuses are well-equipped, and the professors are highly qualified, approachable, and extremely helpful, offering stellar guidance to students. Students aspiring to earn degrees in various fields have the option of choosing from a broad range of courses over multiple disciplines. 

The curriculum is career-focused, and it helps students develop the requisite skills to get started on their chosen career path. The degrees conferred by Canadian Universities are recognized globally, increasing your career prospects. These reasons make studying in Canada very desirable. 

Scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships to deserving international students in Canada, and this can ease the burden on your pocket significantly. Grants and scholarships often have certain eligibility criteria attached to them. 

Standard Of Living

Canada being a developed country has an excellent standard of living, with the majority of the people having access to a multitude of modern comforts and amenities. Pollution and crime are very low in Canada, and the people are generally friendly and helpful. 

Vibrant Student Life

Student life in Canada is exciting and vibrant, and they need not worry about safety either; as an inclusive society, Canada is safe for outsiders. You can enjoy the vibrant and diverse culture and learn about different peoples, cuisines, heritage, and what not. There is also a huge and thriving student community in Canada and you can easily find your group. 

The Canadians are fond of the outdoors and physical activity, and you can take this opportunity to learn new sports like ice hockey, skating, snowboarding, and other winter sports.

Part-Time Work

This is a good reason why choose Canada for study. International students are permitted to work part-time while they are enrolled as full-time students at a university/college. Students can work for up to 20 hours a week during school days, and full time during vacation time. You can pick up jobs on campus or outside to earn some extra cash, or work in a related field to garner the necessary experience. The experience of work-student balance that this feature offers, prepares students for their adult work-life balance.

Progressive and Inclusive Society

This is one of the biggest benefits of studying in Canada for Indian students. The Canadian society is highly accepting of people irrespective of race, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, economic background, and so on. An eclectic and diverse subsection of humanity lives in peace and harmony in this country.

Post-Study Work Permit 

On the completion of your course, you don’t have to immediately return to your home country. You can apply for a PSWP or post-study work permit, and start your job search. 

The work permit duration depends on the course you completed – the maximum is three years, but you can always extend it further. The Canadian system has measures in place to enable students to have a successful career trajectory and this is a huge reason to study in Canada.

Immigration Policies

As a country with low population, Canada has very friendly and convenient immigration policies, and this makes it a great destination for international students who are desirous of settling abroad. Students are allowed to work on permits, and apply for PR cards at the end of the permit period upon them meeting certain conditions, and eventually apply for citizenship if they want to. 

For many international students, this is one of the best advantages of studying in Canada, as it gives them a short-cut to Canadian citizenship. Canada is a welfare state and supports citizens who are disabled, unemployed and so on.

Disadvantages Of Studying in Canada for International Students

Though Canada offers umpteen advantages for international students who wish to pursue their higher education in the country, there are a few disadvantages as well. Let us see what they are:

• Extreme winters – while it is clean and beautiful, Canada has one of the coldest winters you can experience, as it is located closer to the North Pole. It can take some time to get used to the harsh winter; additionally, you need a lot of winter equipment like special footwear, heavy jackets, room heaters, and so on to get through the season.
• Long wait for doctor appointment – healthcare is nationalized and free, but it can take ages to get an appointment to consult a doctor, unless there is a medical emergency. Private medical care is also available, but it is exorbitantly expensive.
• Inadequate public transport – the frequency of buses and local trains is very poor and you could end up waiting for over 30 minutes if you miss your regular transportation. This often necessitates everyone to have their own vehicle.

Pros of Studying in Canada	Cons of Studying in Canada
Affordable tuition fee	Extreme cold climate
World class university education	Long Waiting period to get doctor appointments
Globally recognized degrees	Rent, clothing, etc. can be relatively expensive
Inclusive and diverse society	Need to pass IELTS and other exams depending on your course to get admission
Safe and clean environment	Poor public transport
Immigration friendly policies	High Tax Rate

What Are the Benefits of Studying in Canada as Compared to Other Countries?

Compared to countries like UK, Australia and others, the tuition fee and cost of living is much lower in Canada, while the standard of living is not vastly different. The immigration policies are inclined towards foreigners, unlike in the other nations. The society in Canada is far more inclusive, accepting, and diverse, and everyone is treated equally in social and employment settings. 

The people in Canada are a very friendly lot, and very helpful towards newcomers. In the UK, people are a little more reserved; whereas it is almost negligible in Canada. 

Conclusion

Why study in Canada? Canada is one of the best countries you can choose to study abroad. Though there are some minor disadvantages, by and large, it is an exceptional place an international student could hope to be in. If you have your heart set on studying in Canada, our study abroad education consultant experts will sit with you and understand your goals, needs, aptitude, and qualification, to guide you towards the best universities and courses. We will also help with your IELTS training, college applications, visa, and looking out for scholarships. At Salve Maria, student’s requirements are our priority and we go the extra mile to help you gain admission into your preferred university or college. You don’t have to worry about how to study in Canada because we are there to help make it happen.