Letter of Recommendation Guide for Study Abroad from Bangladesh
A strong recommendation gives specific evidence, not generic praise. Here is how to help your referee write one.
Most programmes ask for two or three letters of recommendation. A strong letter is not full of adjectives. It gives specific evidence: what you did, how well you did it, and how you compare to others the referee has taught. Your job is to choose the right referees and make their job easy.
Who to ask
Choose referees who taught or supervised you and can write about your work with real examples. A professor who knows your project well is far better than a senior figure who barely knows you. Relevance and specifics beat title and reputation.
What to give your referee
Hand each referee a short brief, ideally two to three weeks before the deadline, so they can write a strong, accurate letter.
- Which course and university you are applying to, and the deadline
- Your CV and your SOP, so the letter matches your story
- A reminder of the courses or projects you did with them, with dates
- Two or three specific points you would like them to mention, with evidence
- How the letter is submitted: a portal link or a signed PDF
- Your full name as on the application, and a polite thank you
A letter full of praise with no examples is weak, even if it is glowing. The brief helps your referee include the specific evidence that makes a letter convincing.
Practical tips
- Ask early and confirm the referee is willing before you list them
- Use referees with an official institutional email for verification
- Send a polite reminder a few days before the deadline
- Keep a backup referee in case one cannot submit in time
Our premium SOP and CV tool includes a full sample recommendation letter and a recommender brief you can hand your professor.
Frequently asked questions
Choose someone who taught or supervised you and can give specific examples of your work, such as a course teacher or project supervisor. A relevant referee who knows you well is stronger than a senior person who barely does.
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