Letter of Recommendation

  • Recommendation Letter (LORs)

    Letter of Recommendation is a certificate that is your assessment by your superior, Professor/employers. This document testifies your professional skills as perceived. There is less consideration given in India to LORs (Letter of Recommendation) whereas in German universities they value them highly.

  • Points to remember

    1. LORs are just like a SOP, which tells your story and it should be exclusive and unique.

    2. In some German universities, you need to mention your recommender's email address in the application form. Soon your recommenders will receive an email which contains a form/link of few direct questions which need to be addressed by him/her.

    3. In case, your recommenders are having a busy schedule or don't have time to write for you, then they will ask you to send draft a LOR so that they don't have to write a whole recommendation letter.

  • Notice before Starting

    1. You need to check your university course requirement because there are 2 types of the condition: some German universities have a specific format of LOR and in some German universities; they upload a PDF file which needs to be completed by your recommenders.
    2. Do remember! Before writing your LOR, the length limit should be 200 words means 1 page.
    3. Check how many LORs (Letter of Recommendation) is requested. Note, that who all can be the recommender (your Professor, Project manager). In some Technical University, they only accept recommendations from your University Professor.

  • Required Documents

    1. Your grade report (if required)
    2. Your CV (if required)
    3. A LOR Draft (if required)

  • Logical Sequence

    1. Select 2-3 people who can give you a good recommendation. For Example: Select the one with whom you have worked in past or attend their lecture; who are in a respectable position in the university. Asthey knows all of it at a personal level (not necessarily, e.g. college dean).
    2. When you ask them for your positive recommendation letter, talk politely. If needed, you can also send your transcript reminding them of your good performance, in their lecture/class.
    3. Talk to your recommenders and ask them if they need any additional information in writing your recommendation letter. Put some efforts to improve your recommendation letter by explaining to them why you are interested in applying for a particular course, in a specific university.
    4. Make sure that the LOR praises you but it should not be ‘over the top’ keep the tone and the verbiage professional.
    5. This should be mentioned of how long and in what capacity, the recommender knows the students.
    6. In case, you have to make multiple drafts for different recommenders, make sure to change the content having less similarity.
    7. Once your recommender gives you your final LOR, make sure it is stamped, sealed and signed (if required). Give the recommenders respect and do ask them if you can give their email address for an online recommendation. Do ask your recommender’s personal E-mail address.

  • University Type matters!

    1. Keep in mind, the type of university you are applying for before sending your Letter of recommendation. If you give LORs from your professor then it is valued in TUs as they are search-oriented. Similarly, LOR given from your manger will be valued more in FH (Fachhochschulen), as they are more practice-oriented.
    2. Generally, a letter of recommendation from your work or studies carried out in the present year, carry a higher value.
    3. Your letter of recommendation should be written on your university’s letterhead and should be attested by the respective department. Lastly, it must be clearly signed by your recommenders.