LOR Sample for MS in Engineering

The format of a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for any university is similar to this generic LOR sample. However, as per the course or programme and the type of LOR (academic or professional), the content of LOR may change. Usually, for an MS LOR, applicants should cover a specific set of skills such as research ability, teamwork qualities and analytical abilities. For an MBA LOR, qualities like leadership and decision-making should be highlighted.

Academic LOR

For MS in Engineering, the applicant will mostly be required to submit an academic LOR. This is provided by a professor/teacher from the last college the student attended. The academic LOR demonstrates their accomplishments and academic excellence. Typically, universities ask applicants to provide two or three such letters.

MS in Engineering LOR

An MS LOR, applicants should cover a specific set of skills such as research ability, teamwork qualities and analytical abilities. An MBA LOR must highlight qualities like leadership and decision-making. Similarly, certain personal and professional attributes should be highlighted per course or subject. For instance, for MS in CS LOR the following qualities should be highlighted:

• Projects where the applicants used their technical expertise
• What all programming languages they are experts in
• Coding skills and where did they showcase them
• Knowledge of different applications
• Any application developed/created

Points to Remember for LOR for MS Engineering

For applicants of Engineering courses, various qualities can be mentioned as per the subject. Some examples are:

Mechanical Engineering	Civil Engineering	Electrical Engineering	ECE
Knowledge of the market	Curiosity/ critical thinking	Knowledge of circuit design	Interest and knowledge of technology
Knowledge of various tools	Creativity and flair for innovation	Knowledge of software or other tools	Latest trends, IT skills
Teamwork/ leadership skills	Collaborative spirit	Critical thinking and analyzing	Communication skills
Technical skills	Eye for details	Problem-solving skills	Time management skills
Problem-solving skills	Problem-solving skills	Innovation/ organizational skills	Extracurricular activities, if any

Furthermore, depending on the subject, the student can highlight various key points in the profile as per the table given above. However, this is for reference only and there can be more attributes and points added to this as per your experiences. Some additional aspects which can be covered are:

• Areas of specialization – Design, Materials, Thermal and Fluid Power
• Process optimization worked on
• Projects worked on demonstrating coding skills
• Industry knowledge and expertise
• Team management capabilities
• Learning from previous experience/project and where or how was it applied to a current situation

LOR sample for MS Engineering

Note: The following example is of an academic LOR for MS Mechanical Engineering. 

“I am delighted to support the candidature of ABC for the MS Mechanical Engineering program at your reputed institution. As the (designation) at (department) in (college/university), I have known him/her over the last XXX years. I taught his/her batch the subjects of ______________ in the _____________ semesters, respectively. Apart from this, I also had the opportunity to supervise his/her laboratory work related to these subjects. During our interaction, at a personal and academic level, I was instantly struck by his/her dedication and commitment to academics.

ABC has always been an active participant in class discussions while consistently performing well in the courses as well. He/she has been regular with his/her assignment/project/coursework submissions and managed to meet the deadlines while staying focused and interested in practical applications of the field. His/her endeavour of relating lectures in class with regular applications strengthened his/her foundation greatly which was evident in all practical sessions. Specifically, during the ______ Lab, I had given the task of _____________. While most students were struggling to complete it, he/she referred to the class notes and finished the task within the time limit. Thus, his/her knowledge of subjects like ___________ is thorough and extensive.

Presently, ABC is working on his/her final year project tiled XXXXX which is based on ___________. As the project guide, I have been in constant touch with him/her and her group of ___team members. The aim of the project is to _________. I am confident that with the kind of progress they are making, they will be soon ready with the _____________. Another important thing to notice here is his/her timework skills. Not only can ABC easily work with his/her teammates but also guide them along the way.

Excelling in academics is not the only feather in his/her cap. ABC is quite an active participant in event like _____________. He/she has performed/participated in inter-college events such as _____________ and won many accolades. One specific event, where I was the teacher in-charge, I observed his/her good sportsman spirit.

Lastly, I feel that his/her strong grasp of (name subjects) will hold him/her in good stead throughout his/her professional life. Thus, I wholeheartedly support ABC's decision of pursuing higher studies at your esteemed institution and learn from the best. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Yours sincerely,

Full Name of the Recommender

Designation-Department

College/University, City

Contact Number:

Email ID:

Tips for LOR Prep

The applicant must ensure that all his skills and abilities are highlighted. The LOR should state that you are well-suited for the program and the recommender can vouch for your credibility. So, whether it is a professor or employer, it is important to select the right recommender. An LOR from a person who does not know the applicant well can do more harm than good. A great tip: Take time to communicate with your potential recommender.

Mistakes to avoid in an LOR

• The applicant should be careful not to submit an LOR that has been copied from the Internet. That is against the law and it lowers your chances of acceptance.
• The LOR should not be prepared by friends or family on your behalf.
• Grammatical errors should be strictly avoided.
• Ensure that you include all the material in your LOR; ignoring any crucial detail might cause you to fall behind.