While business schools typically request one to three recommendations as part of the admissions process, we’re focusing this admissions tip on the letter of support, a less well-known relative of the formal recommendation. As we’ll explain below, the letter of support differs significantly from a standard letter of recommendation. In fact, we’ll share the following details in this admissions tip:
Letters of Support and Affidavits of Support for Immigration
Benefits of a letter of support
Here is a list of advantages that a letter of support may have for you:
What is a letter of support?
A candidate may submit a letter of support with their proposal or application for a grant, project, or fellowship. These letters, outlining how they intend to support the candidate, are typically written by people who intend to make substantial contributions to the project or program. For instance, a university faculty advisor might send a letter of support to a research program endorsing the team they advise and pleading with the program to fund their project.
Academic and nonprofit organizations frequently request that applicants submit letters of support with their proposals or applications. These letters typically describe the authors’ connections to the candidate or project, any sources or materials they may offer, and their involvement in the project in detail. Typically, writers want to demonstrate to the reader that the project is organized, realistic, and promising. The specifications for these letters vary depending on the institution, but some may have length restrictions or particular guidelines for author selection.
What is a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation describes a candidate’s abilities and suitability for a particular position, program, or opportunity. These letters are typically written for candidates by current or former supervisors and are used to support applications. These letters typically highlight a candidate’s qualities, accomplishments, and strengths in relation to a specific opportunity.
When applying for a new job, you can strengthen your application by including letters of recommendation. For instance, if you’re looking for work in a different industry, you might request a letter of recommendation from your previous employer to highlight your transferable skills and work ethic. For applications to undergraduate and graduate programs, many colleges and universities also demand letters of recommendation. You may request that teachers comment on your academic performance, resolve to improve, and potential in these letters.
Benefits of a letter of recommendation
Below are some benefits of a letter of recommendation:
Letter of support vs. letter of recommendation
A letter of support and a letter of recommendation differ in the following ways:
Purpose
A support letter for an application or proposal can be provided voluntarily by a candidate or group. These letters can support their claims and provide a clearer explanation of their strategies and available funding. Although it is optional, letters of recommendation are frequently required by institutions and employers in order to submit applications. You might use a letter of recommendation when applying for:
You might use a letter of support when applying for:
Author
The majority of the time, letters of support are written by people who have direct experience with the issue at hand. Usually, those who write letters of recommendation are unrelated to the position for which the applicant is applying. Instead, those who compose letters of recommendation frequently have knowledge of the candidate from working with or observing them in a similar capacity. For instance, a finance director might write a letter of recommendation for a staff accountant applying for a new job at another company while a lab director might write a letter of support for a clinical research project seeking funding.
Environment
In the fields of academia, medicine, and nonprofits, you may be asked to submit letters of support. Because these professionals frequently apply for grants and funding, letters of recommendation may be appropriate for these opportunities. In a variety of fields, including business, law, academia, finance, and real estate, letters of recommendation are common. These letters can be beneficial for both professional and private matters.
Content
While both letters seek to strengthen an application, a letter of recommendation frequently has a stronger argumentative tone. In contrast, a letter of support is informative. In contrast to a letter of support, which focuses more on the author’s involvement in the opportunity, a letter of recommendation emphasizes why the candidate is a good fit for the opportunity at hand. The specifics of these letters’ contents change depending on the situation, but a letter of recommendation typically pays particular attention to one person. A letter of support, in contrast, emphasizes a group, organization, or project.
In a letter of recommendation, the recommender usually also discusses the candidate’s personality and character traits, as well as how they work well with others and contribute to the office environment. In situations like housing applications, child adoptions, and legal matters, some letters of recommendation serve as character references. These letters may present the subject as devout, sensible, sympathetic, or mature. While a letter of recommendation may make reference to a candidate’s or team’s work ethic or code of conduct, these letters frequently have a more objective tone and concentrate on action plans.
FAQ
Is letter of support same as reference letter?
According to Brandeis University, a recommendation letter supports a candidate’s application for a particular scholarship, program, job, or other opportunity. A reference letter is an overall recommendation of a person’s abilities, knowledge, and character.
What is in a letter of support?
The majority of letters have three sections: an opening statement that describes the project or program for which funds are being requested, one or two middle paragraphs that explain the writer’s connection to the endeavor for which funds are being requested, and a concluding statement. Be sure to address the same person at the same address for all of your supporters.
Who are letters of support addressed to?
All letters of support must be addressed to the principal investigator (PI) and show the dedication of important individuals and supporting organizations (e g. to the proposed project (e.g., dual-PI, co-PI, co-investigators, consultants, patient and stakeholder partners, and stakeholder organizations).
Is a letter of recommendation better than a reference?
A letter of recommendation is more credible than a reference because the author is endorsing you for a position. A reference letter is more general in nature. Typically, it is not addressed to an individual. It is a general evaluation of the candidate’s qualities, expertise, and knowledge.
