Use our AI-powered tool to quickly create a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) in under 10 minutes.

Generate your LOR in under 10 minutes using our AI asssited LOR creator tool.

Answer few questions about yourself and we'll take care of the rest.

We use the most advanced text-generation AI model.

No need to signup or login.

No phone-calls.

300-500 words.

Generate your LOR

How to Request a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from a Professor

Introduction

When applying for graduate programs, internships, or certain job positions, a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) plays a pivotal role in showcasing your abilities, achievements, and character. Professors, with their profound insight into your academic performance and personal qualities, emerge as exemplary sources for these letters. Their endorsement can significantly impact your application, lending credibility and a personal testimony to your capabilities.

Choosing the Right Professor for Your LOR

The efficacy of an LOR largely depends on the professor's familiarity with your work and character. Ideally, you should request a letter from a professor with whom you've collaborated on a paper or project, or who has taught you in a setting that allowed for personal interaction. Such professors can provide detailed insights into your intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and collaboration skills.

If you haven't had the opportunity for close collaboration, choose a professor who is generally supportive and known to have a positive disposition towards students. Engaging with college seniors and research project supervisors (RPS) can offer valuable insights into which professors are amenable to providing LORs. Remember, the goal is to select someone who can speak genuinely and positively about your abilities, even if your direct interactions have been limited.

While navigating this choice, bear in mind the ethical considerations. It's essential to approach professors who you believe will provide an LOR based on merit and genuine interaction, rather than just on a superficial acquaintance.

How to Request a LOR from a Professor

Asking for a LOR requires tact, respect, and preparation. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Choose the Right Professor: Select a professor who knows you well and can speak to your strengths enthusiastically.

2. Ask Early: Give your professor plenty of time, ideally several weeks, to write the letter.

3. Request Politely in Person or via Email: A personal request can be more impactful, but if not possible, a well-crafted email is effective.

4. Provide Necessary Information: Share your resume, transcript, and details about the program or job, along with any specific points you'd like them to highlight.

5. Follow Up: Gently remind them as the deadline approaches, if needed.

ProTip: Provide your professor a draft LOR

Understanding that professors are often juggling multiple responsibilities, including teaching, research, and administrative tasks, requesting a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) adds another item to their to-do list. To make this process easier for both you and your professor, and to increase the likelihood of receiving a strong LOR, consider providing a draft letter written from their perspective.

When creating the LOR draft, truthfully showcase your achievements, experiences, and personal traits relevant to your application, while keeping an ethical approach. This draft should accurately reflect your interactions with the professor and act as a base for them to enrich with their personal observations and insights.

Politely attach this draft to your email request, adding a note to explain that it's intended to reduce their workload. Make it clear that you welcome and encourage any modifications they see fit to make. This approach demonstrates your initiative and consideration for their time, aiming to ensure the letter authentically represents your strengths and achievements.

Our LOR Generator tool can be incredibly helpful in this context. Our service allows you to create a well-crafted, professor-perspective LOR in under 10 minutes. We ensure that your draft is both professional and tailored to your specific accomplishments, making it easier for your professor to provide a compelling endorsement.

Email Templates for Requesting a LOR

Crafting a respectful and concise email is crucial when requesting a LOR. Below are templates to guide you:

Email Template 1: Formal Request

Dear Professor [Last Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to kindly request a letter of recommendation from you as part of my application for [Program], due by [Deadline]. Your class on [Course Name] profoundly impacted my academic journey, and I believe your insights into my [mention specific skills/achievements] would greatly support my application. I have attached my resume and other relevant documents for your convenience. Thank you very much for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Email Template 2: Request with Draft LOR Attached

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to respectfully request a letter of recommendation for my application to [Program], which is due by [Deadline]. Given your profound impact on my academic development, particularly in [Course Name], your endorsement would be incredibly valuable.

Understanding the demands on your time, I've taken the liberty of drafting a preliminary LOR to provide a starting point that hopefully makes this process more convenient for you. Please see the attached document titled "Draft LOR_[Your Name]." This draft aims to capture my experiences and achievements relevant to [Program], reflecting our interactions and your insights into my work.

I want to emphasize that this draft is entirely flexible; I encourage and welcome any edits or a complete rewrite that you deem appropriate to ensure the letter accurately represents your perspective and observations. My intention is merely to assist and streamline the process, not to impose my views.

I've also attached my resume and details about the program to this email for your reference. If there are any additional materials or information you need, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Thank you very much for considering my request. Your support plays a crucial role in my academic and professional journey, and I deeply appreciate your time and guidance.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Conclusion

Requesting a LOR from a professor is a significant step in your academic and professional journey. By approaching this request with professionalism and courtesy, you can secure a powerful endorsement that enhances your application. Remember, the key to a successful LOR lies in your relationship with the professor and how well they can vouch for your qualifications and character.