(1/10) Being a student who has just finished high school is a wonderful time. You have freedom in selecting your future path. While deciding to continue education, you will need to pass through admission. To increase chances of successful enrolment creation of an excellent letter of recommendation is obligatory.
Different mistakes occur along the writing process. Avoiding them allows for preparing high-quality content for yourself or someone else. That requires having good creative skills too. Here you can learn much more about popular faults that most authors of recommendation letters do.
Selecting Wrong Recommender
In case you are the one who needs an LoR, it is your task to find a writer. That can be a tough challenge when you lack communication skills and confidence. However, schools always have counselors who can help on such occasions.
In the meantime, it is better to select someone reputable. Pupils often have a favorite teacher or with whom they are in good relationships. Such a person knows you better and can describe your strong sides. Additionally, familiar tutors as authors are more willing to help.
Lacking Enough Writing Material
In writing recommendation letter, the key to success has enough material. When you are creating LoR for someone who you know well, still ask for additional information. By knowing who the recipient is, you can focus on the relevant qualities.
When you ask someone for help, gather all the needed info in advance. You think over what strengths it is better to present in LoR for this specific purpose. Do not leave authors without such guidelines.
Missing Out Evidence & Facts
A letter of recommendation focuses attention on the strong sides of a person. However, many applicants and writers simply mention them. Without any supporting facts, the value of such information drops down. That is why you should provide needed evidence to writers.
Lying is not the best way to convince the committee. However, creating a simple story, which is close to a true one, may help with describing qualities. It should not contain much detail and exaggerate the real capabilities of a person. Professors may like to verify such information.
Copying LoR From the Internet
The most common problem among young LoR writers is borrowing internet samples. Even when these documents are great, their uniqueness is poor. Applicants must always submit original letters, as it is very easy to spot plagiarism. With unique recommendations of weaker quality, you have better chances than with copied.
Still, internet examples can bring you some benefit. All of them are full of wonderful writing ideas, which you can use. Instead of copying the whole phrase that sounds very nice, you can develop your own that deliver the same message.
Not Following Required Format
Every time you prepare an LoR, you must follow the format requirement of the recipient. Every education institution may indicate different parameters for letters. Mostly it is about size and writing style, which you should use. Sometimes, they mention what info they would like to read.
That is one of the reasons why you should always write different recommendation letters. Sending one document to various colleges may simply not match their expectations. Even when applying to the same specializations, pro writers advise checking requirements for every destination in advance. Then, you can develop outlines for every document and prepare it effectively.
Preparing LoR at the Last Minute
The size of the letter of recommendation is not large. It often varies from 300-500 words. Still, you should not postpone it to the last moment. Even with good creativity and writing skills, you may not manage to deliver enough text quality.
Sticking to deadlines is very important when someone has asked for your help. In case you are a very busy person but still want to help, it is better to refuse. Alternatively, you can recommend someone you know who can properly help instead.
Not Proofreading Content
Do not be too confident in your writing skills. It is very easy to make even very small mistakes. Most text editors automatically fix minor issues, but they cannot correct everything. Take time to read the text several times to see if everything is great.
During proofreading, avoid changing everything that seems not good enough. Overcorrection is another common problem that students face. They aim for perfection. However, improving already flawless sentences may easily lead to making new mistakes.
