30 June 2025
5 minutes read
How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School as an Indian Student?
30 June 2025
5 minutes read
Key Takeaways
- Letter of recommendation for graduate school boosts your application by highlighting academic and professional strengths through credible endorsements.
- Letter of recommendation for graduate school must include anecdotes, achievements, and tailored traits relevant to the chosen graduate program.
- Letter of recommendation for graduate school should be submitted by someone who knows the applicant well and can demonstrate their qualification and potential.
For Indian students venturing into the world of graduate studies, a great letter of recommendation turns out to be the key to the golden door in a desired university.
Foreign universities do not just anticipate good grades—what they look forward to learning is about the student’s educational behavior, along with the talent to succeed in a competitive environment.
A well-written recommendation letter not only gives the application more significance but also indicates the student’s readiness for a challenging graduate program. The applicant’s capabilities and skills play a crucial role, but the recommender’s opinion is what actually closes it.
What is a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School?
Fun fact: Some grad schools value the letter above your test scores like that of GRE, SAT, TOEFL, GMAT, ACT or IELTS! They might also be needed for scholarship applications if you want to waive your fees.
A recommendation letter is a professional letter written by the individual who is familiar with the education or work record of the candidate. It:
- Supports the grad school application with specific anecdotes and facts.
- Brings up the study contributions, attributes, achievements, and accomplishments of the candidate.
- Represents the qualifications of the candidate for a specific graduate program.
Why Write a Recommendation Letter for Grad School Admission?
Interesting fact: A good recommendation can even take precedence over a low GPA or test score!
Having a letter of for grad school acceptance is important because it:
- Helps the acceptance committee to evaluate the applicant’s potential for the program.
- Serves as proof of the student’s strength, intellectual independence, and work history.
- Affirms the student’s ability to excel in the course through an authentic third-party view.
How to Write a Graduate School Letter of Recommendation?
Fun fact: A well-written recommendation letter is not just a reference—it’s a narrative with the power to transform a student’s future.
Before writing, understand the guidelines of the institution and what they expect. A letter of recommendation for grad school should:
- Start with a clear statement of your relationship with the applicant.
- Be structured into distinct paragraphs outlining qualification, character, and experience.
- Include anecdotes that demonstrate specific traits, like leadership or problem-solving.
- Be concise and tailored to the program being applied to.
- Follow proper grammar, punctuation, and formatting standards.
Key Elements to Include:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Header & Salutation | Include professor’s or employer’s info and appropriate greeting |
| Introduction | State who you are, your role, and your relationship with the applicant |
| Educational & Professional Work | Highlight course grades, projects, internships, and strengths |
| Anecdotes & Traits | Share brief examples that demonstrate achievement and qualification |
| Closing & Recommendation | Strongly endorse the student and invite further mail confirmation |
Keep it professional, proofread, and always submit your recommendation in a timely manner via the institution’s online application system if required.
How to Choose Your Recommender and Request Them to Edit and Write a Letter of Recommendation?
Interesting fact: These recommendation letters are composed by the ones who know the applicant inside-out, even if they are not the most senior colleague or professor!
When selecting a recommender for your grad school acceptance, quality matters more than title. Find someone who should:
- Know you well through educational work, research, or employment.
- Be able to write about your qualification, strength, and potential to succeed.
- Be willing to write, edit, and submit a recommendation online.
- Offer professional references with insight into your accomplishments.
- Submit your application and recommendation within the deadline.
What Makes a Great Recommender?
| Type of Recommender | Ideal Scenario | Not Recommended |
| Professor | Academic work, projects, or thesis advisor | A professor who barely knows you |
| Employer/Supervisor | Relevant job or internship during/after your course | Employer from unrelated field |
| Advisor | Closely involved in academic/professional development | Someone with no real interaction |
Always make a polite request early and provide your resume, CV, personal statement, or statement of purpose to help them personalize the letter.
Do Recommenders Provide Recommendation Forms with Your LOR?
Fun fact: Some universities require recommenders to fill forms instead of uploading standalone letters.
While applying, remember that:
- Many institutions include a form or prompt in their online portal.
- Some universities want recommenders to submit letters directly via mail or links.
- It’s crucial to clarify if the recommendation should be submitted as a form or letter.
- It is also important to know the number of letters of recommendation required to qualify.
LOR Template and Sample for Grad School
Fun fact: Acceptance officers read hundreds of letters—make yours stand out by keeping it genuine and impactful.
Here’s a basic LOR Format to follow:
- Header: Recommender’s Name, Title, Institution, Email
- Salutation: “To the Admissions Committee”
- Introduction Paragraph: State the relationship and duration of association with the applicant.
- Body Paragraph 1: Highlight academic qualifications and achievements.
- Body Paragraph 2: Detail personality traits, examples, anecdotes.
- Body Paragraph 3: Mention relevant projects, teamwork, and growth.
- Conclusion: Strongly recommend and offer to provide further information.
- Signature
Sample Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School:
Dr. Shalini Nair
Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Email: [email protected]
To the Admissions Committee,
It is with utmost pleasure that I am writing this letter of recommendation for Mr. Rahul Mehra to pursue the graduate course in Computer Science at Stanford University. I have been a professor and supervisor of Rahul’s final-year project for over three years, and in this role, I have had the pleasure of watching him grow both professionally and academically to a level of excellence.
Rahul was always intensely interested in intellect and had sharp analysis skills. In my Data Structures course, he was in the top 5% of his class. His final project, “AI-Powered Predictive Models,” was creative and impressively executed, demonstrating his ability to take theoretical concepts and render them into real-world excellence.
Apart from academics, Rahul has illustrated superior independence, leadership, and teamwork. He led a team of four students as the project lead to develop a cloud-based solution that ranked second in our intra-college hackathon. His communication skills, professionalism, and aptitude for learning render him an ideal candidate for graduate school.
I strongly recommend Rahul for your graduate program at your institution. He will be a huge asset to your academic community. If you would like any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by email.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shalini Nair
Conclusion
A good letter of recommendation can turn an otherwise average graduate school application into a winning story of success. Choose your recommenders wisely, assist them with materials like your resume and statement of purpose, and always follow up in a timely manner to thrive in your study abroad journey.
Stand out in your application with study abroad experts like and Ambitio and sturdy academic and employment references who genuinely know your potential.
FAQs
What is a letter of recommendation for graduate school?
A letter of recommendation for graduate school is a formal document written by a professor, employer, or advisor to support a student’s admission by highlighting their academic and professional strengths.
Who should write my letter of recommendation for graduate school?
Your letter of recommendation for graduate school should be written by someone who knows your academic work or professional background well, such as a professor, employer, or research advisor.
How many letters of recommendation for graduate school do I need?
Most universities require two to three letters of recommendation for graduate school, but always check the specific graduate program’s application guidelines.
Can I submit a letter of recommendation for graduate school after the deadline?
Ideally, your letter of recommendation for graduate school should be submitted before the deadline. Late submissions may affect the evaluation of your application.
What should be included in a letter of recommendation for graduate school?
A letter of recommendation for graduate school should include details about the applicant’s qualifications, achievements, academic work, traits, and potential to succeed in graduate study.
Is it okay to write my own letter of recommendation for graduate school?
No, you should not write your own letter of recommendation for graduate school. It must come from someone who can independently assess your strengths and accomplishments.
Do all universities require a letter of recommendation for graduate school?
While most graduate programs do require at least one letter of recommendation for graduate school, some may waive it depending on the applicant’s work experience or other criteria.
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