How long should letter of recommendation be for law school?

Asked by: Norval Braun  |  Last update: December 23, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (69 votes)

Letters should be 1 to 2 pages long, written on letterhead, and signed by the recommender. They should be submitted directly to LSAC.

How long should my letter of recommendation be?

Preferably, the person writing the letter of recommendation has been in a supervisory or mentor relationship with the applicant. The letter should be about one page in length, and generally consist of three parts: the opening, the body, and the closing.

What size font should a law school letter of recommendation be?

Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points, so it's easy to read. Adjusting the font size is a good way to keep your letter to a single page.

How many letters of recommendation should I submit for law school?

Schools vary on the number of letters of recommendation they require, so make sure to check each school's requirements in LSAC. Typically, two-four letters are required, meaning schools most commonly require two letters but will accept up to four.

What should a law school recommendation letter look like?

So, this letter should include: An overview of the relationship between the recommender and the applicant. An summary of the applicant's best qualities. Specific examples that support the letter's claims and suggest future success in legal studies.

Law School Admissions—Asking for a Letter of Recommendation

27 related questions found

Do any law schools require 3 letters of recommendation?

Most law programs require two or three reference letters for admission, although they may accept more than just three. While references from faculty members are ideal, law schools may seriously consider nonacademic references as well, especially if applicants have been out of school for several years.

Do you get to read your letters of recommendation for law school?

You will be able to see when recommenders have submitted their letters of recommendation, but you won't be able to read them unless the author consents to sharing the letter with you. Learn more about the Credential Assembly Service and the Law School Admissions Council, here.

How many letters of recommendation does Harvard law require?

Two letters of recommendation are required, but you may submit up to three. We strongly recommend that at least one letter of recommendation come from an academic source.

Can a friend write a letter of recommendation for law school?

If you have not had recent contact with past professors (say, the last five years), think about requesting letters from employers and/or colleagues. Never submit recommendations from relatives or family friends. Most admissions committees will not consider them.

How many letters of recommendation do you need for Yale law school?

Yale Law School requires at least two letters of recommendation. We strongly prefer letters from at least two professors with whom you have studied who can speak to your academic performance and who have had a chance to personally evaluate significant aspects of your academic work.

What font size do lawyers use?

Most courts and lawyers recommend using a 12-point font for legal documents. That's large enough for anyone to be able to read and still small enough that you can fit plenty of information on a single page. Using an overly large font is obnoxious to read and takes up too many pages.

Is there a minimum font size for legal documents?

What size font is used for legal documents? The type in your legal documents should be font size 12 at the minimum and higher if required by court rules. Increasing the font size to 14 will make a huge positive impact on readability, especially for those reading on screens.

What is a professional font for recommendation letter?

Use a business letter format using a twelve point font size in either Arial or Times New Roman. Write your letter on your business or organization letterhead if possible. The recipient likely reads dozens if not hundreds of letters, so keep yours concise and to the point.

Is 3 weeks too short for letter of recommendation?

for a reference unless a professor/instructor letter is specifically requested. If you aren't sure, ask an OFSP staff member to help you decide who to ask for a particular recommendation. Start early. Ideally, give the person three to four weeks, but never less than two weeks to complete the recommendation.

Is 3 months enough time for a letter of recommendation?

Plan on timing your request so that you give your recommender enough time to write you a strong letter; two to three months in advance is ideal. If a letter writer has plenty of time to prepare a letter and is not asked at the last minute, you are more likely to get a glowing recommendation.

Is 2 months enough time to ask for a letter of recommendation?

The first step in requesting a letter of recommendation involves timing. Even for seasoned teachers and counselors, each individual letter takes time and thought to do well. I recommend asking your recommenders at least a month before your application deadlines. In some cases, even earlier is better.

Can an employer write a letter of recommendation for law school?

Unless the law school only wants academic recommendations, if you've been working for several years or have served in the military, one LOR should be written by an employer or supervisor.

Can a coach write a letter of recommendation for law school?

Law schools are generally extremely academic places, and the want to make sure that your academic credentials are up to snuff. As for the other letter – this can be a second professor (this is the advice I typically give my students), or an extra-curricular leader, coach, boss, or someone else who has seen you work.

Can a judge write a letter of recommendation for law school?

Ideally, your letters will come from professors who taught classes where you excelled. Law schools are also looking for the letter to come from someone who knows you well. General letters of recommendation from professors, or even well-known politicians, judges, etc.

Can I get into Harvard Law with a 173?

As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.

Can I get into Harvard Law with a 170?

Bringing it back to Harvard: if your undergrad GPA is above 3.92 (median GPA at Harvard Law), you have some leeway on your LSAT, meaning you can fall in the 25th percentile to median range (170-174) and still have a strong chance at getting in.

Is 6 letters of recommendation too much?

How many letters should you prepare? Although the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) allows up to 10 letters of recommendation, we recommend you do not exceed five or six.

Which professors should I ask for letters of recommendation law school?

Law school admissions especially value letters from faculty members. If they are tenured professors who taught you in a higher-level course, all the better. The best way to approach these potential writers is to reach out as early as possible to begin cultivating a relationship.

Can you reuse letters of recommendation?

You may be able to reuse letters of recommendation. However, many grad schools ask the letter-writer to submit the letter directly, so you will have to ask your writers to re-submit their letters each time you apply to a new program.

Should I waive my right to see letters of recommendation law school?

Generally speaking, waiving your right to view your letters of recommendation is ideal. While you can retain the right to view them, many admissions officers consider waiving the right as more honest.