Importance of Letters of Recommendation when Applying to Universities in Singapore for an Undergraduate Degree
Very few universities in Singapore require a letter of recommendation, nevertheless, it is an important component of your application. For example, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) requires one letter of recommendation.
A recommendation letter or an academic reference letter is used by admission officers to gauge an unbiased perception of your core competencies. It is used as a reference to gain insight into whether you will be a good fit for the university.Â
You will need one letter of recommendation: either from your principal or a teacher who has taught you Math/Science subjects.Â
Now, we will look into what makes a good recommendation letter and how you can obtain one. A letter that highlights a student’s impressive academic and personal strengths, will serve as a great boost to the application.
Some aspects that can be highlighted in your recommendation letter are:
- Personality and academic background
- Proficiency in a particular subject
- Special skills/ strengths
- Work ethic
- Contributions to school or society
- Future goals
Now we will look into how these aspects can be integrated to give a glowing recommendation. It is important for your academic referee to provide specific details and examples that highlight particular skills and strengths. For this reason, it is highly recommended for you to request a reference from a teacher who knows you well. They will also be able to provide a good insight into your personality and the way you work.
In addition to academic proficiency, your teachers must discuss your personal strengths as this is one of the components of the entire application that provides a human touch. We suggest that you reach out to your teachers early on and build a strong connection with them in order for them to provide an assessment in detail. You can also discuss your significant achievements, experiences, passions, aims and future goals with them in order to facilitate their letter writing process.Â
Check out a few examples of strong letters of recommendation at unirely.com. Get in touch with our counselors to learn more about the process of applying to universities in Singapore for an undergraduate degree.
