Applying to law school can be an intimidating process. One key component of a strong application is recommendation letters. But how many do you actually need? Let’s demystify law school recommendation letters.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover
- The purpose of law school recommendation letters
- Ideal recommenders for law school
- How many recommendation letters to submit
- Using LSAC’s letter of recommendation service
- Tips for getting excellent law school references
Why Do Law Schools Require Recommendation Letters?
Law schools require 1-3 letters of recommendation as part of the application process. These serve several purposes
- Assess academic abilities – Strong academic letters can highlight intellectual capabilities key to legal study.
- Evaluate personal qualities – Recommenders can attest to integrity, motivation, work ethic and teamwork.
- Provide subjective insights – Letters add color beyond test scores and grades.
- Confirm interest in law – Legal references affirm your passion for the subject.
In short, letters help admission committees form a complete picture of applicants as both students and prospective future lawyers.
Who Should Write Your Law School Recommendation Letters?
The best law school recommenders are people who can speak in-depth about your abilities and potential. Common options include:
- College professors – A professor who taught a small upper-level course and knows your academic strengths can write a compelling academic reference.
- Work supervisors – Managers can highlight professional skills like leadership, communication and analytical thinking.
- Pre-law advisors – Advisors who have counseling you can provide an insightful perspective on your legal interests and candidacy.
Avoid letters from family friends, politicians or celebrities who don’t know you well. Admission committees want substantive, personal references.
How Many Recommendation Letters Should You Submit to Law Schools?
Most law schools require 2-3 letters of recommendation. However, requirements vary, so check each school’s guidelines. General recommendations:
- 1 academic letter – At minimum, aim to submit one academic reference from a college professor familiar with your academic abilities.
- 1-2 professional/other letters – Supplement with letters from work supervisors, pre-law advisors, etc.
Having at least one academic and one professional letter provides balance. Follow each school’s instructions, but having 2-3 insightful letters in total is ideal.
Using LSAC’s Letter of Recommendation Service
Many law schools participate in the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) letter of recommendation service. This allows you to collect and assign letters to schools through LSAC rather than each application.
Benefits include:
- Recommenders submit letters just once through LSAC
- You can assign/re-assign letters to different schools
- Law schools receive letters directly from LSAC with your CAS report
Check if schools you’re applying to accept the LSAC LOR service and create an account. It simplifies managing letters.
Tips for Getting Strong Law School Recommendation Letters
Here are some tips to get compelling, effective law school recommendation letters:
- Request early – Give recommenders at least one month notice to write insightful letters. Follow up politely if needed.
- Provide resources – Give recommenders your resume, transcript, law school essay and other materials to refresh their memory of you.
- Describe your legal interests – Explain your passion for law and career goals to help shape meaningful letters.
- Waive access rights – This allows recommenders to write freely without concern you’ll read their letter.
- Send thank you notes – Show appreciation for recommenders’ time and effort.
Follow these best practices to get references that bring out your best qualities.
Letter of Recommendation Template
For academic and professional references, providing a template can make their job easier. Include key details like:
- Brief background on yourself
- How the recommender knows you
- Your law-related experiences and goals
- Qualities and skills you hope they’ll emphasize
Having them expand on your template results in more targeted, personalized letters.
Sample Law School Recommendation Letters
Reviewing recommendation letter samples can help recommenders craft effective letters:
Academic Letter
To Whom It May Concern:
I’m pleased to strongly recommend John Doe for law school. As his thesis advisor and professor for two upper-level political science courses, I’ve seen firsthand John’s stellar academic abilities and passion for the law.
John consistently produced thorough, well-researched written work with insightful analysis. His final thesis on gerrymandering and electoral impacts was publishable quality. He excelled in class discussions, asking probing questions and contributing original perspectives.
John has a keen interest in constitutional law and public policy. With his intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills, and strong work ethic, I am confident he will thrive in law school and become an excellent lawyer. I give John my highest recommendation. Please contact me if I can provide any further information.
Sincerely,
Professor Jane Smith
Professional Letter
Dear Admissions Committee,
It’s my pleasure to recommend Sara Jones for law school. I supervised Sara for two years during her paralegal internship at our law firm.
Sara demonstrated utmost professionalism in her work assisting our legal team with cases. She drafted first-rate legal briefs and memorandums well beyond her experience level. Sara has excellent writing skills along with precision attention to detail.
She is driven, diligent and able to manage complex tasks independently. Sara also worked collaboratively with attorneys and clients and has strong communication abilities. I have no doubt that with her intellectual and interpersonal skills, Sara will excel in law school. She has my highest recommendation. Please contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Supervising Attorney John Brown
These examples demonstrate how recommenders can highlight both academic and professional strengths.
How Law Schools Review Recommendation Letters
Admission committees look for specific things in recommendation letters:
- Depth of familiarity – Letters should demonstrate a close personal familiarity with the applicant versus vague, generic praise.
- Objective assessment – Letters should provide a balanced, honest appraisal of achievements and growth areas.
- Law-related attributes – Letters should emphasize skills like writing, analysis, critical thinking and logic.
- Memorable anecdotes – Specific examples and stories about the applicant make letters more compelling.
- Passion for law – References to legal capabilities and interests affirm this is the right path.
These criteria help committees accurately evaluate candidates.
Key Takeaways
Recommendation letters are a mandatory yet meaningful part of law school applications. Aim to submit 2-3 letters, emphasizing academic references, from people familiar with your abilities. Give recommenders ample time and materials to craft engaging, relevant letters. Utilize LSAC’s LOR service for convenience. Follow these best practices and your letters will strengthen your candidacy and showcase your legal aptitude.
Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
We prefer to see at least one letter of recommendation from a professor, lecturer, or teaching assistant who has had significant exposure to your academic work. Choose your recommenders carefully. Ask recommenders who will have positive things to say about you as a student, and who know your work product and skill set well enough to write a detailed, substantive letter.
What should my letters of recommendation say?
Your recommendations should describe your academic qualifications, intellectual ability, and strengths as a student or professional. This includes information about your intellectual curiosity, research and writing ability, analytical skills, motivation, work ethic, and capacity to think critically and challenge yourself. Personal characteristics such as maturity, professionalism, leadership potential, and ability to work with others are also relevant.
Former Law School Admission Officer on letters of recommendation
How many recommendation letters do I need for Law School?
The number of recommendation letters that you need for law school varies. Some schools may ask for one letter while others require two or three. Some schools offer an option for additional letters. Be sure to check LSAC guidelines and each school’s website for their specific requirements.
How many letters of recommendation do you need for Yale Law School?
Yale Law School requires at least two letters of recommendation and strongly prefers letters from professors who know your academic performance and have had a chance to personally evaluate significant aspects of your academic work.
Who should write a law school recommendation letter?
Each law school has a set of recommendation requirements, as well as criteria for who should write the letter. Since institutions usually prefer academic references, picking an athletic mentor or job supervisor who knows you well isn’t the best strategy when planning your recommenders.
How many letters of recommendation do I need for Harvard?
Harvard strongly recommends that at least one letter of recommendation come from an academic source. However, letters from employers or others who have worked closely with you can be very helpful, particularly if you have been out of school for many years. Your application will be treated as complete with two letters of recommendation.
