Do my academic and professional LORs need to highlight different points?
16 Oct 2026 · Answered by Shairal Pathak · 1 min read
Quick Answer
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An academic LOR typically highlights your performance in relevant subjects, technical and research projects, research papers and extracurricular involvement. A professional LOR typically highlights teamwork, areas of expertise, problem-solving, innovative thinking and leadership. The points you stress also depend on the programme, so check requirements.
Yes, the points differ by the type of LOR. The content also depends on your programme and course, so you should highlight the parts of your profile that fit.
Points by LOR Type
| Academic LOR | Professional LOR |
|---|---|
| Performance in academics and specific relevant subjects | Ability to work in team or cross-functional teams |
| Soft skills and professional attributes | Areas of expertise |
| Technical and research projects | Problem-solving skills |
| Research papers and other achievements | Innovative attributes or logical thinking |
| Co-curricular and extracurricular participation | Leadership attributes |
How to Use This
- Match the LOR type to who is writing: a professor or an employer.
- Share your key projects with each recommender.
- Confirm programme requirements on the university page.
My Advice
Give each recommender a short list of the points you hope they can cover. Pick people who know your work well and check what each university expects.
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