How to select a Recommender?

A letter of recommendation should provide the admission officers an insight into the applicant’s capabilities, academic strengths, extra-curricular activities and personality on whole. It thus becomes imperative to choose a recommender who has had enough opportunity to assess the student’s abilities in the scope of their association. It is not always necessary to assume that a letter from a person of very high authority or designation like the Chairman or Principal will carry greater value, rather a good recommendation letter should be from someone who has observed/worked/mentored you for a substantial duration and should be able to remark on your ability from close or direct association like your professor, project guide or immediate manager/ team lead.

• A student applying for a Bachelors program may take the LOR from school and college teacher/professors. It could also be from the Head of Department or Principal if they have had enough opportunity for a direct association to evaluate your skills and provide an insight for the same.
• A Master’s student can take two recommendations from professors who have known the student within their association and who can also positively throw light on the student’s capability and as a suitable prospect for the course being applied to. One recommendation from the project guide who can assess your practical/ problem solving skills and can provide a recommendation would also be appropriate.
• An MBA student should necessarily include two recommendations that can talk about their skills at work, hence it could be from the manager or team lead or a colleague as well who can evaluate your interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• For a PhD aspirant having two or more recommenders from professors or HOD’s who can provide an insight about the student’s research aptitude and skills and throw light on their abilities shown during research work will be highly persuasive.