
Your trusted consultancy for pursuing higher education in top German Public Universities.
Table of Contents
- What is a Letter of Recommendation?
- Types of LORs
- Academic LORs
- Professional LORs
- Significance of Letter of Recommendation
- Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid In Your LORs
- 1. Generic Content
- 2. Lack of Customization for Each Program
- 3. Weak Language
- 4. Overemphasis on Grades
- 5. Failure to Address Weaknesses
- 6. Repetition of Resume Content
- 7. Poor Formatting and Structure
- 8. Outdated Information
- 9. Too Short or Too Long
- 10. Missing Specific Details
- The Impact of LOR Rejections and Discrepancies: A Closer Look
- MS In Germany - LOR Writing Services
- Conclusion
- FAQs

What is a Letter of Recommendation?
Types of LORs
Academic LORs
Professional LORs
Significance of Letter of Recommendation
Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid In Your LORs
1. Generic Content
- Diminishes the perceived value of your achievements.
- Makes you appear indistinguishable from other applicants.
- Reduces the overall strength of your application.
- Provide your recommender with detailed information about your achievements.
- Request that they include specific examples and anecdotes.
- Encourage them to highlight your unique qualities and contributions.
2. Lack of Customization for Each Program
- Suggests a lack of genuine interest in the specific program.
- Fails to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Weakens the overall narrative of your application.
- Tailor each LOR to the specific program.
- Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the program’s focus.
- Ensure your recommender understands the specific requirements of each program.
3. Weak Language
- Creates an impression of mediocrity or lack of distinction.
- Fails to convey strong support from your recommender.
- May lead to your application being overlooked.
- Ask your recommender to use strong, enthusiastic language.
- Provide examples and achievements that they can highlight.
- Ensure they express confidence in your abilities and potential.
4. Overemphasis on Grades
- Misses the opportunity to showcase your personal strengths.
- Makes your application seem less dynamic and well-rounded.
- Can be redundant if your transcript already highlights your grades.
- Ask your recommender to focus on your character, leadership, and other qualities.
- Highlight experiences and projects that demonstrate your skills and personality.
- Ensure the LOR complements rather than repeats information from your transcript.
5. Failure to Address Weaknesses
- Leaves unanswered questions for the admissions committee.
- May cause them to doubt your overall candidacy.
- Misses the chance to provide context or explanations for any issues.
- Encourage your recommender to address any weaknesses directly but positively.
- Provide them with context or explanations for any issues.
- Ensure they highlight how you have worked to overcome these challenges.
6. Repetition of Resume Content
- Fails to provide new information or perspectives.
- Makes your application seem repetitive and less engaging.
- Misses the opportunity to highlight unique insights from your recommender.
- Ensure your LOR adds new stories and examples not covered in your resume.
- Provide your recommender with different aspects of your experience to highlight.
- Focus on personal anecdotes and observations that only a recommender can provide.
7. Poor Formatting and Structure
- Creates a negative impression of your application.
- Makes it harder for the admissions committee to glean key information.
- Suggests a lack of effort or seriousness about your application.
- Provide your recommender with a clear template or guidelines.
- Ensure the LOR has a logical flow with distinct sections.
- Check for proper formatting, grammar, and spelling before submission.
8. Outdated Information
- Reduces the relevance and impact of the LOR.
- Suggests a lack of recent accomplishments or growth.
- Can make you seem less prepared or engaged.
- Provide your recommender with your most recent achievements and experiences.
- Ask them to focus on recent examples that showcase your current skills.
- Ensure the information reflects your latest progress and development.
9. Too Short or Too Long
- A too-short LOR may seem insufficient or superficial.
- A too-long LOR can be tedious and dilute key points.
- Both extremes can reduce the overall effectiveness of your LOR.
- Aim for a balanced length, typically one to two pages.
- Focus on the most important and relevant points.
- Ensure clarity and conciseness without sacrificing detail.
10. Missing Specific Details
- Weakens the credibility and impact of the LOR.
- Makes it harder for the admissions committee to assess your qualifications.
- Fails to differentiate you from other applicants.
- Provide your recommender with specific examples and anecdotes.
- Ensure they include detailed descriptions of your achievements.
- Highlight specific skills and experiences relevant to the program.
The Impact of LOR Rejections and Discrepancies: A Closer Look
Reason for Rejection | Percentage of Applications Affected |
Plagiarized Content | 25% |
Lack of Student-Centric details | 30% |
Inconsistent Information | 20% |
Unverified Recommender Credentials | 15% |
Incomplete LORs | 10% |
MS In Germany - LOR Writing Services
- We understand the specific expectations of German universities and tailor LORs accordingly.
- Each LOR is crafted to reflect your individual achievements and goals.
- Our team includes experienced writers who know how to showcase your strengths effectively.
- We provide comprehensive guidance on collecting supporting documents and optimizing your application.
- Many applicants have successfully secured admissions with our assistance.
Conclusion
FAQs
- What should be included in a strong LOR for German universities? A strong LOR should include specific examples of your academic achievements, personal qualities, and potential. It should also highlight your suitability for the program you're applying to and be tailored to the specific requirements of each university.
- Who should write my LOR for a German university application? Ideally, your LOR should be written by a professor who knows you well and can speak to your academic abilities and character. Alternatively, a former employer or mentor who can attest to your professional skills and achievements could also write a strong recommendation.
- How many LORs do I need for my application to a German university? Typically, German universities require two to three LORs as part of your application package. Check the specific requirements of each university and program you are applying to for exact details.
- Can I submit LORs in languages other than German? Yes, many German universities accept LORs written in English or another language, especially if the program is taught in English. However, it's essential to check the language requirements of each university and program to ensure compliance.
- How should I approach my recommender to write a strong LOR? Approach your recommender politely and provide them with relevant information about your achievements, goals, and the program you're applying to. Offer to meet or provide materials that can help them write a detailed and personalized recommendation.
Written by

Your trusted consultancy for pursuing higher education in top German Public Universities.