Most law schools require or encourage applicants to submit at least two to three letters of recommendation, typically from professors but also including letters from supervisors at work and other professionals.
Your letters of recommendation should show that you are an exceptional academic student, so select recommenders who can give a detailed account of your abilities and skillset.
Recommendations from professors
Most law schools prefer letters from professors over other forms of recommenders, and require at least two academic recommendations from them. Preferably these should come from professors who know you well and can vouch for your ability to manage rigorous academic work like thesis advisors, seminar professors or teaching assistants (TA). However if applying after several years in the workforce it may be challenging to secure academic references; in these instances law schools may allow an alternative professional recommendation such as your employer or supervisor instead.
If you have been out of college for some time, it is generally acceptable to substitute an academic recommendation with one from a colleague or employer; this will provide a more holistic picture of your potential as a student. Avoid asking family or close friends to write recommendations as they may be less objective in their appraisals.
Recommendations from employers
Some schools require only two letters while others allow applicants to provide up to four. Your selection should depend on their value to your application – choose those who can give a deeper glimpse of who you are than your resume alone! Recommendation letters provide deeper insights into who you are as an individual so make sure to ask people with direct experience working with you for their feedback.
Admissions officers value letters from professors or college faculty members, employers or internship supervisors if applicable and letters that describe your academic abilities and promise, particularly if an undergrad.
When applying to law school, it’s essential that your recommenders meet well in advance of the deadline to ensure that they can compose letters on time. You could arrange an in-person meeting if that would make things simpler for them.
Recommendations from friends
When selecting your recommenders, make sure that they know you well enough to write an effective letter of recommendation for you. If a potential recommender appears reluctant or disinterested in writing for you, look for someone else instead. Additionally, meet with them beforehand so you can discuss why law school matters to them as well as their goals in life after law school.
Ideally, law schools recommend seeking letters from professors and employers who have taught or employed you professionally in some capacity. Some law schools do allow other sources, including coworkers or community members. It is recommended to select at least two academic recommenders and one non-academic recommender; but be sure to review each school’s requirements carefully and allow your recommenders enough time to write your letters.
Recommendations from family
Though applicants to law schools commonly seek recommendations from family and other prominent figures, law schools prefer letters from professors and supervisors that provide detailed academic assessments of your abilities and compare how they compare against that of other students.
LSAC provides comprehensive information about different types of recommenders and how many letters you should submit, so it’s wise to select your recommenders early and provide them with a deadline for submission of their letter to LSAC – this gives them plenty of time to compose a thoughtful, positive letter on your behalf.
Strong recommendation letters can make or break an application to T14 schools. A good recommendation letter can offset any deficiencies in your application and help secure full-ride scholarships; furthermore, these letters are critical components for a successful job search process – it’s well worth investing the time in gathering high-quality letters of reference!
