​Letters of Recommendation

 

What is a letter of recommendation and how many letters are required?

A letter of recommendation is a critical part of the law school application process.  It provides the law school with a more complete picture of your strengths and may include information that you have not provided in your application.  Each law school has different requirements, so it is imperative that you review the mandates from each individual law school.  Typically, law schools require 2 – 4 recommendation letters.  The letters of recommendation should be submitted on the LSAC website (see our information sheet “All About the LSAC”).

 

Who should write your recommendation letters?

LSAC explains that “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.”  It is important to ask someone who knows you well and can write about more than generalities.  Praise, without basis, is typically not helpful for the law school admissions officers.

If you are still in school (either undergraduate or graduate) or are within five years of graduating, it is best to ask at least one professor.  This professor should be someone who knows you well - through class, your major, or an extracurricular activity.  Quality of the relationship is more important than the status of the recommender. 

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When are recommendation letters due?

All letters of recommendation must be submitted by the application deadline.

It is important to give the recommender plenty of time to complete the letter.  Work backwards.  When do you want your application submitted?  Ask the recommender at least one month prior to this date. 

 

How should I ask the recommender?

Select the person that you would like to write your recommendation letter and set up a meeting.  During the meeting, you need to explain the following: 

• Why do you want to go to law school? 

• Why are you a good candidate for law school?; and

• Why do you want this person to write your recommendation letter?

 

You should provide the recommender with a packet of information, including the following: 

• the list of schools that you are applying to;

• your resume with GPA and any extracurricular activities;

• your undergraduate transcript;

• a list of the courses that you took from this professor;

• if possible, any papers (or research assignments) that you completed in the recommender’s class, especially those that represent your best work;

• our personal statement; and

• if applicable, your work experience.

You should give the recommender a deadline. 

 

If the letter has not yet been submitted, it is a good idea to email the recommender one week before this deadline to remind him/her and to inquire whether the person has any questions regarding the process.

 

Does the recommender have to complete a letter for each school?

No.  You can ask the person to write a general recommendation letter.  This letter can be submitted for all law schools using the LSAC website.

There is an option for the recommender to write a letter for a specific law school.  For example, let’s assume that you plan to apply to a law school that your recommender attended or if you have one law school that is far and away your first choice.  You can ask this person to write a letter specifically for this law school. 

What are some final suggestions regarding the law school recommendation letter process?

• Foster relationships with professors early in your academic career.

• Research what is required from each law school.

• Figure out your timetable and work backwards

• Select a recommender who knows you well.

• Prepare a packet for the person writing your recommendation letter.