Who should law school letters of recommendation be from?

Asked by: Maida Streich  |  Last update: July 23, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (18 votes)

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.

Who should law school letters of recommendation come from?

The most effective letters of recommendation are written by professors or work supervisors who know you well enough to describe your academic, personal, or professional achievements and potential with candor, detail, and objectivity. Letters that compare you to your academic peers are often the most useful.

Who are the best people to ask for letters of rec law school?

Most law schools state that they want Letters of Recommendation from professors, and they mean it. You are applying to be a student, not an employee, and professors are in the best position to establish your strengths and abilities in an academic setting.

Do letters of recommendation for law school have to be from professors?

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. Application instructions often specify who should write the letters and, occasionally, what issues should be addressed.

Who should letters of recommendation be written by?

Ask a trusted adult who is not your family member. This could be a teacher, a coach, a mentor, someone from your faith community, a boss, someone who you have volunteered with, etc. Pro Tip: Ask someone who has known you for a long time or who has seen you work hard at school, a job, or an extra-curricular activity.

A2Z 17: Letters of Recommendation and Singular "they"

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Does it matter who the letter of recommendation is from?

Only if the person knows the applicant and can provide specific information about the applicant. Ultimately, the student wants to have individuals whose letters will strengthen the overall application. Deciding whom the student will ask to write a letter of recommendation requires considerable thought.

Does it matter who writes letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation should be written by people who know you well and who have been responsible for evaluating your academic or professional work. Professors and workplace supervisors are both appropriate.

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.

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.

Do law schools care about letters of recommendations?

Law school candidates might submit a variety of materials to the admissions offices of their chosen schools, including application forms, transcripts, test scores and recommendation letters. The letters provide information about the candidate's work habits, ethics, research skills and professional potential.

Should I submit 4 letters of rec to Yale law?

Use good judgment about how many letters to submit!

o We require two letters of recommendation and allow up to four. o If submitting more than two, ask yourself whether the additional letters are as strong as the first two are, and whether they are duplicative.

How to ask someone to write you a letter of recommendation for law school?

Ask in person, after an initial email

Write your potential recommender a short email, explaining that you would like to meet in person to ask them to write a letter of recommendation. Keep it short; you aren't asking for the letter in the email, you're just setting up a time to meet in person to formally ask.

How long should letter of recommendation be for law school?

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

Do letters of recommendation need to be from professors in your major?

You can definitely submit additional recommendation letters from people who were not your teacher in school. For example, if you are applying for a fine arts major, you may want to (And may be required to) also submit letters from your art teacher, voice teacher or piano teacher.

How many law schools should I apply to?

How Many Law Schools Should I Apply To? Your best bet is to apply to a minimum of two reach schools, two match schools, and three safeties.

How to ask a former professor for a letter of recommendation?

Make a formal request of your professor (by email or by appointment), asking if he or she would be willing to write a letter or fill out a form on your behalf. Explain the purpose of the recommendation and why you have chosen the professor. Give the professor time to consider your request.

How do you ask for a letter of recommendation for law school in an email?

I'm applying to [name of school and program], and I'd like to ask you to write a letter of recommendation for me. I'm asking you because [reason why you are asking this person] and think your letter would be a strong addition to my application.

How long does it take LSAC to process letters of recommendation?

It takes approximately two weeks to process a transcript and up to five business days to process a paper letter of recommendation from the time we receive it. Electronic letters of recommendation are usually available as soon as we receive them.

How to ask for a letter of recommendation law school reddit?

Here's my own take on your questions:
  1. Just say something like “I talked to you before about wanting to go to law school, would you still be willing to write me a LOR?”. Don't stress it, if they'd be a good writer they'd be more than happy to help you out. ...
  2. Ask people who know you.

Who should not be asked to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf?

Add Project Key Words
  • A Teacher Who's Famous but Doesn't Know You.
  • A Teacher Who Taught You Early, and for a Short Time.
  • Someone Who's Related to You.
  • Your Best Friend (Unless It's a Peer Recommendation)
  • Someone Who Doesn't Have the Best Impression of You.
  • A Coach from a Sport or Club You No Longer Participate in.

Can a letter of recommendation be from a family friend?

We want to see letters that tell us little stories or anecdotes about you – stories that show the letter writer really knows you. Do not ask a family member, friend, or a teacher you had several years ago. Your uncle and your second grade teacher may be wonderful people, but their letters won't have much credibility.

Can recommendation letters come from friends?

A friend or family member should not write a recommendation letter for you. Teachers, coaches, bosses, or administrators are all good choices, and if you have performed volunteer work, asking the volunteer coordinator would be a smart idea. The key is to find a person who knows you well and can attest to your growth.

What should you not do in a recommendation letter?

A successful letter should avoid:
  • General language or overly broad descriptors of the student's performance in the classroom;
  • Focusing on a student's punctuality or ability to complete the readings. ...
  • Too much time and attention detailing the relationship with the student or the content of the course.

What are the 6 details that should be included in a letter of recommendation?

What is a letter of recommendation?
  • Introduction and statement of recommendation.
  • List of specific reasons you are recommending them to the position.
  • Personal story with evidence of their qualities (soft and hard skills)
  • Closing statement with contact information.
  • Signature.

Is it illegal to write a bad letter of recommendation?

While a bad reference can severely harm an applicant's chances of getting hired, they are not usually illegal. There are no state or federal laws that prohibit an employer, a coworker, or anyone else from providing a poor reference for someone else.