What Colleges Look For in LORs
In our previous blog, we explored the role of Letters of Recommendation (LORs) in your college application—how they provide the human perspective that grades, test scores, and essays alone cannot capture. Now, let’s go a step further: what actually makes a recommendation letter strong in the eyes of admissions officers?
College application season is here, and whether you are just starting the process or have been diligently preparing all summer, this is the time to think carefully about who you will ask to write your LORs. Too often, recommendation letters are treated as an afterthought. But in reality, a strong LOR can boost your profile and reinforce the story your application is trying to tell.
What Makes a Good LOR
First, it shows your personal qualities.
Admissions officers want to know what it’s like to have you in a classroom or community. Are you an enthusiastic student? Are you engaging and responsible? Are you a leader? A great letter conveys what it’s like to interact with you and makes it clear why you would be a valuable addition to their campus.
Second, it avoids repeating what the college already knows.
Your transcript and activities list speak for themselves. A letter that simply rehashes this information doesn’t add to your profile. What makes a recommendation stand out are specific anecdotes—moments that capture who you are as a person, not just a student.
Finally, it has a powerful structure and uses key words.
Yes, colleges do look for specific keywords in LORs. The best letters weave together your academic accomplishments and your personal qualities, giving admissions officers a forward-looking view of your future potential and career capabilities.
But again, this isn’t a letter you write for yourself. Your teachers and mentors are the ones telling your story, and their words are only as strong as the experiences they can draw from.
Earning Letters That Stand Out
Great LORs don’t happen overnight—they are the result of authentic engagement and consistent effort. At Ivy Link, we guide students as early as 7th grade to excel in their coursework so academic readiness is undeniable, engage meaningfully in activities that reflect curiosity and leadership, and build a cohesive application narrative so every letter reinforces the same compelling story—so by the time recommendations are requested, teachers already have powerful, authentic stories to tell.
To get started, schedule a consultation with Ivy Link and ensure your recommendations strengthen your entire application.
