What are the common mistakes I should avoid when writing an LOR?
Common LOR mistakes include vague praise with no real detail, exaggerated or unrealistic claims, focusing only on grades while ignoring personal qualities, negative remarks, ignoring the application prompt, tired phrases like calling someone a team player, and letters with poor grammar or spelling errors.
Whether you are drafting the letter yourself or briefing your recommender, certain habits weaken an LOR fast. Vague praise, exaggeration, an academics-only focus, and sloppy proofreading are the mistakes admission committees notice most, and each one is easy to avoid once you know to look for it.
LOR Mistakes and Better Alternatives
| Mistake | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| Broad statement like calling someone hardworking | Cite one specific project and the result achieved |
| No personal connection shown | Explain how the recommender actually knows the candidate |
| Exaggerated or unrealistic claims | Keep praise specific and believable |
| Only academic performance mentioned | Add leadership, initiative, and extracurricular strengths |
| Negative or critical remarks | Frame growth areas as progress, not weakness |
| Ignoring the application's actual prompt | Tailor content to the specific program or scholarship |
Other Habits That Undercut a Strong LOR
- Overused phrases such as calling the candidate a team player without proof
- Poor grammar or spelling that distracts from the message
- Writing a letter that runs far longer than the program expects
My Advice
Give your recommender a short brief with two or three specific projects or moments they can reference instead of leaving the letter open-ended. A recommender working from concrete detail almost never falls into the generic-praise trap.
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