Letter of recommendation | Tips & samples for MS in CS!

Letter of recommendation | Introduction

When it comes to Computer Science, universities are looking for students who’re good at research and have some practical experience. And what better way to showcase this than on a Letter of Recommendation from your professor or manager? But they are not going to write it for you; you’ll have to draft it yourself. So if you are wondering where do you start, what points do you include, how long should your LOR be. Find the answers to all these questions, and more, in the LOR samples for MS in CS included here. After that, it will be much easier to get started!

What is a letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a way for a university to evaluate your personality using a third person’s perspective.

Think about it. All the other documents you attach to your university application – your test scores, academic scores, your SOP, your resume – talk about you from your own point of view.

To understand what others think of you, a university will ask you to share a recommendation from your professor, manager, or co-worker.

Who you get it from will speak volumes about what kind of connections you build, how others perceive you, and how much they respect you.

Why are letters of recommendation important? 

Universities have a standard admissions process, and LORs are a crucial aspect of this process. Many institutions need at least 2-3 academic, professional, or a mix of both the LORs. This helps them filter out the students for admissions. Here’s why it is important for them to have your LORs. 

1. A third-party opinion matters: An academic LOR would include your professors’ views about you. The way they talk about your abilities as a student is an essential factor for universities to consider. Similarly, a professional LOR would tell universities about your strengths and weaknesses in a professional capacity. Your employer’s views might help the university make the right decision about your admissions. Therefore, it is safe to say that LORs can make or break your chances of getting into your dream university. 
2. A document that validates your experience: A great LOR helps you validate your experience and skills. Not only this, the document can talk about your achievements in the professional and academic field, the projects you’ve worked on, and more. This is why you should do some research before choosing a recommender to write the LOR. 

All in all, a good LOR will enhance your chances of getting into the university you’ve applied to.

Academic letter of recommendation

Before we start looking at LOR samples, let’s first understand that there are two types of Letters of Recommendation. These include the Academic Letter of Recommendation and the Professional Letter of Recommendation.
The Academic LOR is a recommendation from the current or past teachers and professors who have taught you. It can also come from project heads who have worked with you.

These letters focus solely on your academic personality. What kind of a student you are, your attentiveness, if you took initiative, participation in projects, or participated in competitions. It’s a way for the university to understand how you would contribute to the school when you join.

Now, coming to how Academic LOR samples for MS in CS are written-

Academic LOR samples for MS in CS

Professional letter of recommendation

Unlike the Academic LOR, a Professional Letter of Recommendation talks about your work ethic and performance as an employee. This letter is usually given by your team leader, manager, senior manager, and if it’s a startup, your CEO. Do note that if you are an entrepreneur, your Professional LOR would come from a mentor or your co-founder.

Here, you can highlight the kind of projects you’ve worked on, any awards you’ve won, the CSR initiatives you participated in. It can also be any other achievements from your workplace. It would be a good way to showcase how you would qualify as a professional – an important factor when it comes to applying for internships and jobs when you’re studying abroad.

Coming to how Professional LOR samples for MS in CS are written-

Professional LOR samples for MS in CS

How to choose your recommender

There are three important factors to consider when you’re choosing a recommender-

• How long you have known them

Ideally, your recommender is someone who should know you for at least a year. Because this amount of time is enough for any teacher or manager to completely understand and talk about your personality.

• What they have worked on with you

The university will be looking for a recommender to talk about your academic and professional behavior. So the fact that your recommender actually guided your work on a project or a research paper would mean that the recommendation isn’t just being given by a bystander. It’s from a person who has seen you in action, and that matters.

• Their qualification

Although this should not be a high priority (unless you’re applying for a research program), a letter from a highly qualified recommender with a PhD. Even a LOR from a manager at a higher position, will speak volumes about your networking and intellectual skills.

• How willing they are to give a LOR

Make sure you are choosing someone who is willing to take the time to write you a letter of recommendation. Besides, it would be a bonus if they have a flair for writing as you need to submit well-crafted LOR to the universities.

When shortlisting your recommender, keeping these factors in mind will help you find the right mentor easily.

LOR writing tips

Everyone has their own writing style. But when it comes to drafting a LOR, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. So get started only after you have read through these LOR writing tips:

1. Each LOR you write should have a different writing style. Since it needs to look like different people have written all these letters.
2. Your Letter of Recommendation should not exceed one page.
3. The structure of your LOR should be something like this – 
   • Start by talking about how the recommender met you and how long he or she has known you.
   • Mention a string of academic/professional accomplishments your mentor has watched you achieve. Divide these pieces of information between 3 small paragraphs.
   • Next, move on to extracurricular activities. Dedicate one paragraph to it.
   • End by saying that the recommender believes in you and will always be available to answer any questions about you.
4. Add a few lines here and there about your soft skills; highlight your social personality.
5. Don’t repeat yourself.
6. As you are applying for a Computer Science degree, it is essential to have something written about your coding skills, expertise in programming languages, and app development skills. Including these details may give you an edge in the application process.
7. If you have worked on any special projects, make sure that has been mentioned in the LOR.
8. In every other part of your application, it is advisable not to brag. But when it comes to the Letter of Recommendation, you can definitely boast about your accomplishments. Take advantage of that fact.

Formatting a letter of recommendation

Once you’ve typed out the entire letter, follow the standard formatting rules for your LOR–

1. Use the most acceptable fonts – Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Verdana. Don’t stray away from these in an attempt to make your letter look super-fancy.
2. Use a minimum font size of 12.
3. Leave a 1-inch margin all around the letter.
4. Add a header of your institution or organization.
5. Leave enough room for your recommenders signature.
6. After saving the file, delete its properties and send it to your mentor for a review.

Once they get back to you, make the final edits, get their signatures, and keep a copy with yourself. Just in case you require it in the future.

Key takeaways

• A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is an essential part of college confirmations. It gives an outsider point of view on your capacities and potential.
• Academic LORs highlight your potential contributions to the university by focusing on your academic performance, projects, and extracurricular activities.
• Professional LORs demonstrate your suitability for internships and jobs by highlighting your work ethic, accomplishments, and skills as an employee.

We hope this blog helped you understand the fundamentals of a LOR for MS in CS. If you have any doubts or questions regarding any other application process or studying abroad, feel free to reach out to us or drop your queries in the comments section below. We would be happy to assist you!

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FAQs

Q1. How can LORs impact my chances of getting into a university?

Answer: LORs can fundamentally impact your application. Positive recommendations from reputable people can fortify your profile and increment your possibilities of acknowledgment.

Q2. Can I have multiple LORs from the same recommender?

Answer: While it is possible to have various LORs from the same recommender, it is by and large encouraged to have proposals from various people to give different points of view.

Q3. What if I cannot obtain a LOR from a recommender due to personal circumstances?

Answer: It is essential to inform the university if you are unable to obtain a letter from a specific recommender due to unavoidable personal circumstances. Explain the situation to the admissions office, providing any necessary documentation or, if possible, alternative recommendations.