6 Steps for Asking for Law School Letters of Recommendation
You've finally decided who you're going to ask for your law school letters of recommendation. Now what? Follow these six steps:
It is always best to ask your potential referees for letters of recommendation in person, although if it's physically impossible, a polite phone call or email will work too.
Just be sure to get in touch with your recommenders well before the deadline for submitting letters of recommendation, preferably at least a month ahead of time.
Some recommenders know you so well they won't have any questions, but others may be curious as to why you're considering law school, what qualities and experiences you have that would make you a good attorney, and, in some cases, what you've been doing since your recommender last saw you.
Think of this meeting as a kind of job interview for which you have to be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your future plans.
In addition to coming prepared to answer questions, you should also show up with a packet of information that will make your recommender's job easier.Your packet of information should contain the following:
In your law school application packet, you do not want to have any weak letters of recommendation; in fact, you don't even want so-so letters. With certain referees you will just be able to tell they'll give you a glowing boost, but if you have any doubt whatsoever as to the potential quality of the recommendation, ask.
If your potential recommender hedges or hesitates, move on to someone else. You simply cannot take the risk of submitting an unenthusiastic recommendation when applying to law school.
Be absolutely clear about the deadline for submitting letters of recommendation as well as the process for doing so, particularly if you are going through LSDAS.
Also, ask to be notified when the letter is submitted so you can move on to the final step in the recommendation process: the thank you note.
1. Make an appointment.
It is always best to ask your potential referees for letters of recommendation in person, although if it's physically impossible, a polite phone call or email will work too.
Just be sure to get in touch with your recommenders well before the deadline for submitting letters of recommendation, preferably at least a month ahead of time.
2. Prepare what you'll say.
Some recommenders know you so well they won't have any questions, but others may be curious as to why you're considering law school, what qualities and experiences you have that would make you a good attorney, and, in some cases, what you've been doing since your recommender last saw you.
Think of this meeting as a kind of job interview for which you have to be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your future plans.
3. Prepare what you'll take.
In addition to coming prepared to answer questions, you should also show up with a packet of information that will make your recommender's job easier.Your packet of information should contain the following:
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Papers or exams graded or commented on by that professor (if asking a professor)
- Any work evaluations (if asking an employer)
- Personal statement
- Additional sheet of information on why you want to go to law school if not covered in your personal statement
- A note explaining why you asked this professor or employer for a letter of recommendation
- Signed LSDAS letter of recommendation form (if using that service)
- Any additional forms required by the law school to which you're applying
- Stamped, addressed envelope
4. Make sure a positive recommendation is coming.
In your law school application packet, you do not want to have any weak letters of recommendation; in fact, you don't even want so-so letters. With certain referees you will just be able to tell they'll give you a glowing boost, but if you have any doubt whatsoever as to the potential quality of the recommendation, ask.
If your potential recommender hedges or hesitates, move on to someone else. You simply cannot take the risk of submitting an unenthusiastic recommendation when applying to law school.
5. Go over the recommendation process.
Be absolutely clear about the deadline for submitting letters of recommendation as well as the process for doing so, particularly if you are going through LSDAS.
Also, ask to be notified when the letter is submitted so you can move on to the final step in the recommendation process: the thank you note.