Pro Tips
How to Secure the Strongest Letter of Recommendation
Dec 17, 2025
Why Recommendation Letters Matter More Than Students Realise
Letters of recommendation are one of the few parts of an application where admissions committees evaluate a student through external academic judgement. Grades and test scores show outcomes; recommendations explain how those outcomes were achieved, how a student thinks, and how they compare to peers.
Because expectations vary widely by country and level of study, recommendation letters should never be treated as interchangeable.
How Admissions Committees Read Recommendation Letters
Admissions officers read recommendation letters quickly and comparatively. They are not looking for enthusiasm alone, but for evidence.
The strongest letters include:
Specific examples of intellectual engagement or growth
Comparative language placing the student among peers
Clear alignment with the chosen subject or programme
Letters that are positive but vague rarely help. A recommendation can be polite, supportive, and still ineffective.
Recommendation Requirements by Region and Level
The structure, number, and purpose of recommendation letters differ significantly across the US, UK, and Asia, and between undergraduate and postgraduate applications. The table below summarises the most common expectations.
Region | Level | Typical No. of Letters | Who Writes Them | What Admissions Committees Expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | Undergraduate | 2–3 | • School counsellor | Academic performance in context, intellectual curiosity, character, comparison to peers, initiative beyond curriculum |
United States | Postgraduate | 2–3 | • Professors / lecturers | Readiness for advanced study, analytical ability, independence, research potential; leadership for MBAs |
United Kingdom | Undergraduate | 1 | • Subject teacher / school referee | Academic suitability, subject interest, predicted grades, readiness for degree-level study |
United Kingdom | Postgraduate | 1–2 | • University lecturers | Academic credibility, research ability, intellectual maturity; professional references mainly for MBAs |
Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, East Asia) | Undergraduate | 1–2 | • Subject teachers | Academic discipline, consistency, work ethic, comparative academic standing |
Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, East Asia) | Postgraduate | 2 | • Professors / research supervisors | Subject mastery, research readiness, discipline, faculty endorsement |
Choosing the Right Recommenders
Across all regions, the principle is the same: clarity of role matters more than quantity. Admissions committees prefer a small number of letters that each contribute distinct insight over multiple letters that repeat the same praise.
Academic recommenders should always form the core of the set. Where permitted, an external recommender can add value only if they provide insight into intellectual engagement, research ability, or sustained project work that cannot be seen in the classroom.
Supporting Recommenders to Write Strong Letters
Even experienced teachers cannot write strong letters without context. Students who provide no guidance often receive generic endorsements by default.
Recommenders should be given:
A concise overview of academic interests and goals
Key projects, research, or subject engagement to reference
Target universities and degree programmes
Clear deadlines and submission formats
Sharing a personal statement draft can help ensure alignment without scripting content.
Turning Recommendations into a Strategic Asset
Strong recommendation letters are the product of early planning and informed choices. When recommenders are selected with regional expectations in mind and supported with the right context, recommendations reinforce academic credibility rather than merely fulfilling a requirement.
At Flyers Academy, we guide students in structuring recommendation strategies that reflect country-specific norms, degree-level expectations, and coherent academic narratives, ensuring each letter strengthens the application as a whole.