Experts had long speculated that British universities could benefit from international students turning away from the US during Donald Trump’s presidency and now new figures show that a record-breaking number of US students have applied to pursue undergraduate degrees in the UK next year. According to an analysis from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), 6,680 U.S. applicants submitted forms for UK courses in the 2025–26 cycle by the main January deadline. Inside Higher Ed reports that this figure marks a 12% rise from the previous year and the highest level since records began in 2006. It stated that this figure surpasses the earlier peak of 6,670 applicants in 2021–22 and represents more than double the number seen in 2017.For applicants to UK and global universities, the wisest strategy is not to chase prestige in recommenders but to choose those who can narrate your story convincingly. After all, admissions officers are not just admitting grades; they are admitting people and the right recommender can help them see the best version of you. Research consistently shows that authenticity, specificity and alignment with program values make LORs or letters of recommendation stand out.Letters of Recommendation are often underestimated in university applications, especially for postgraduate programs in the UK and globally. While grades, test scores and personal statements carry weight, admissions committees repeatedly emphasize that recommendation letters provide the human dimension of an applicant’s profile that gives insight into their intellectual curiosity, interpersonal skills and leadership potential. The question then arises: What makes a recommendation stand out and how should applicants choose their recommenders wisely?Here are insights from experts on what makes a recommendation stand out
Alignment with your story
The admissions committees of colleges or potential employers assess your LOR along with your CV and aptitude tests. In an interview with TOI Education, Anshika Arora, Head of Department, Higher Education Counseling Services (HECS) at FLAME University, suggests, “Your claims in those documents must be supported by your recommenders as well. For example, if you have vouched to be a strategic leader through various experiences in your CV, the recommender should be able to, through specific examples, support that narrative in the Statement of Purpose (SOP).”Bringing his expertise to the same, Siddharth Anand, Founder and CEO at Tertiary Education Advisors, asserts, “The strongest recommendations are not merely endorsements, they are testimonials of transformation. They show who you are now and give a glimpse of the potential you bring to the future.”
Specificity for the win
Top colleges and employers now have upgraded technological support to differentiate jargon and generic statements from real stories. Therefore, presenting evidence to support a claim made by a recommender enhances the authenticity of the recommendation. Arora advises, “For example, instead of saying ‘She is a team player,’ stating that ‘During a research-intensive group project in X subject during Y year, the student shone in her collaborative team spirit’ can help build anecdotal credibility in the recommendation.”According to Anand, “More than ‘who’ writes the letter of recommendation, it’s about the point of view and sincerity they bring. Admission officers read thousands of applications annually, and they can tell in an instant when it’s a generic recommendation versus one that speaks with substance and truth.”
A balance between professionalism and warmth
Oftentimes, we make the mistake of the LOR sounding too formal and almost perfect. Arora warned, “This can take away from the human centricity of the narrative and a genuine sense of belief in the student.” Generic and overly formal LORs get the highest number of rejections from Ivy League colleges. Arora said, “Statements like ‘I believe in her skills to not only be a great asset in the classroom but also be a kind and helpful collaborator with her peers’ can add value.”
How to choose the best recommender?
According to Arora, the top things to keep in mind while selecting a recommender are:
One of the best practices for students is selecting recommenders who are familiar with your character and your ambitions. Anand says, “Share your goals with them but allow their voice to sound true. The most powerful recommendations are from individuals who have actually seen you grow: teachers, mentors, colleagues, who have seen you navigate failures, your unobtrusive leadership or your resilience in times of stress.”Elaborating upon the same, Sumit Varma, Founder of School Yatra, College Yatra and Bharat Education Forum, shares the following advises.
What distinguishes these letters are the concrete, experienced anecdotes, working late to assist a flailing colleague, refusing to quit when a project was failing, or the dependable manner in which you boosted others’ spirits. These specifics bring the much needed ‘spirit’ to an application in a manner grades or technical achievements alone cannot.