Letter of Recommendation by a professor


JJM5

Hi there,

I am currently collecting all my application documents. Unfortunately it is hard to get a letter of recommendation written by a professor, since I have been working since 6 years. So one professor told me that a LoR written by him would not be very helpful, since I left University 6 years ago.

I easily get LoR written by my boss and other attorneys at my firm. So I could easily provide a number of LoR from people with a professional working background, but no LoR from a professor.

The universities require such a LoR from a professor, isn't it?

How are your experiences on this?

Many thanks and kind regards
JJM

Hi there,

I am currently collecting all my application documents. Unfortunately it is hard to get a letter of recommendation written by a professor, since I have been working since 6 years. So one professor told me that a LoR written by him would not be very helpful, since I left University 6 years ago.

I easily get LoR written by my boss and other attorneys at my firm. So I could easily provide a number of LoR from people with a professional working background, but no LoR from a professor.

The universities require such a LoR from a professor, isn't it?

How are your experiences on this?

Many thanks and kind regards
JJM
quote
heatfan19

Yes, you need a LoR from a professor. For many universities those are far more important than the ones from a professional working background.

Yes, you need a LoR from a professor. For many universities those are far more important than the ones from a professional working background.
quote
JJM5

Many thanks for your quick response.

My professor told me today that he will assist me.

He wanted to know how Long such a LoR should be. Or is there no limit.

My boss at my firm, for example, wrote a LoR of 3 pages. Is this too much?

Many thanks and best regards!
JJM

Many thanks for your quick response.

My professor told me today that he will assist me.

He wanted to know how Long such a LoR should be. Or is there no limit.

My boss at my firm, for example, wrote a LoR of 3 pages. Is this too much?

Many thanks and best regards!
JJM
quote
Xea

I think that reasonable length is 1 - 3 pages; as shorter than a page does not seem serious, while longer than three becomes dull to read.

But it depends on the content, I would say. The best LOR's showcase examples of your qualities, if someone manages to write 3 pages of well founded reasoning as to why you are great - great, but it would not make sense to go on 3 pages about the same details or general notions as the length of the letter should not be a goal in itself.

As to academic LOR's after significant working experience, in MHO professors' letters should describe how you functioned in the study environment, it does not make a difference if they are describing a recent period (for recent graduates) or period of couple of years ago - if you were an engaged bright student that should not change with period of time which elapsed since then. Try to get your professors to focus on that - they do not have to refer to period after your graduation if you did not stay in relevant professional contact.

MHO

I think that reasonable length is 1 - 3 pages; as shorter than a page does not seem serious, while longer than three becomes dull to read.

But it depends on the content, I would say. The best LOR's showcase examples of your qualities, if someone manages to write 3 pages of well founded reasoning as to why you are great - great, but it would not make sense to go on 3 pages about the same details or general notions as the length of the letter should not be a goal in itself.

As to academic LOR's after significant working experience, in MHO professors' letters should describe how you functioned in the study environment, it does not make a difference if they are describing a recent period (for recent graduates) or period of couple of years ago - if you were an engaged bright student that should not change with period of time which elapsed since then. Try to get your professors to focus on that - they do not have to refer to period after your graduation if you did not stay in relevant professional contact.

MHO
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