Law School Admissions Question

[ilovemyglo]

For those who have entered into the hellish world of law school- when you were applying whom did you have write your letters of recommendation? I have an alum of the one school i want writing me a letter, he is a lawyer (my lawyer for a case I am in) and I also have my favorite professor/advisor from school.... I can have one more- any ideas?
I really didn't get close to any other professors that I can think of- none that I would have write me a letter of recommendation!! I can have the president of our company or my boss write me one- he is a senior VP- but would they really care about that?
THANKS!

[kddani]

Definately go for the academics, and for who knows you best.

If Lawyer A from XYZ firm is a neighbor who doesn't know you on a more intimate level that just an occasional get together or passerby, it's not going to carry as much weight as from a professor who you've had in several classes who knows your work ethic.

If you think the lawyer can write an indepth assessment of your talents and capabilities, go for it. If he's just going to serve the purpose of hey, XYZ lawyer wrote her a letter, then it's not worth it.

Basically it comes down to (this goes for references as well)- it's better to have someone who knows your work write you a letter than go for someone who may have a higher level of prestige but not really know you very well.

I was definately in your position about finding letters of rec- going to a large school and having 3 majors, I didn't really get to know many of my profs on a very deep level, and it was tough to find 2 to write letters. But keep trying.

Also, law schools care more about your academic potential.

Good luck!

[valkyrie]

My only advice is:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't even remember who I had write letters. No wait -- I know I had my boss from my current job do one, but I don't remember the others. I applied kind of last minute, so I just threw everything together.

When I applied to take the bar, I had to have an undergraduate professor to list as a reference. It was years after I graduated and I hadn't kept in touch with any professors at all. Out of the blue, I emailed one in whose class I had done really well, even though it was a large class and I knew he probably didn't even know who I was, much less remember me. It turned out that he apparently kept notes on everyone, because he did remember me and was happy to be a really good reference, and we've even kept in touch a little since then. Email is great because you can ask people you might not feel totally comfortable asking.

I'd say if you can have 3 letters, you might as well ask the president of the company do one, as long as you're sure it will be a good one. It can't hurt.

[dzandiloo]

Day one of Bar Exam under my belt...trying to gird up & study for the fabulous MBE which is tomorrow....

To echo Valkyrie-run away!!! Actually, I loved law school. It's the bar exam I am hating. 2 days to freedom (assuming I pass and don't have to take it again....sigh...).

I had lost touch with all of my undergrad professors, as it had been more 7 years since I graduated. As a result, I had my then manager, a co-worker w/an impressive title and a very good friend's mom who was a school teacher write my letters. They knew me well--and the letters were very detailed. It must not have hurt me that none of them were (a) lawyers or (b) school alumni...they got me my full scholarship!

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by dzandiloo
To echo Valkyrie-run away!!! Actually, I loved law school. It's the bar exam I am hating. 2 days to freedom (assuming I pass and don't have to take it again....sigh...).

I loved law school too. Ever since graduation, it has been entirely downhill. The practice of law takes suckiness to levels I never new possible!

[greeklawgirl]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I loved law school too. Ever since graduation, it has been entirely downhill. The practice of law takes suckiness to levels I never new possible!

Do what I did--get the hell out of Dodge and don't practice! It was a big scary thing for me to admit at first--imagine greeklawgirl's mother: "What do you MEAN, you don't want to practice law?!?!" --but I have been happy as a clam ever since. I'm successful, my law school education is invaluable to me at work, and I've never had to worry about a billable hour EVER.

Getting back to the topic at hand, I had two professors write me recommendations, but I also went to law school within 1 year of graduating from college.

Something else to keep in mind: more is not necessarily better. I would rather have 2 stellar recommendation letters than 3 so-so ones. Good luck!

[ilovemyglo]

Let me explain about the lawyer deal- I was in a bad car accident last year and he has been TREMENDOUSLY helpful and offered to write it for me. i can have up to 3, so the first one is my fave prof, advisor, we keep in touch all the time. He was going to be second one... he has known me for almost two years, represents me in a case, but honestly we have talked at least 2 or 3 times since February of last year every week... not just about my case, either, but about jobs, dating, friendships, graduation, etc. He is really nice and is an alum of the school I want so I thought that would help- so the question is really about my 3rd letter.... I guess my boss knows me much better than the CEO of my company (although he knows me pretty well). But my boss is a nice guy and I do look up to him in a father figure kind of way.... what do you all think

[bruinaphi]

I sat on Admissions Committee at my law school during my third year. My best advice is to have them written by people who know you well and will give them candid information about your performance in a classroom or work environment (even if it is volunteer GLO work).

My letters of rec were from
(1) the chair of my dept. who had been my professor in two classes
(2) a professor who I took grad level classes from as an undergrad and
(3) my Alpha Phi advisor.

I went to a large public university so coming up with people who would be able to write about my performance was very difficult.

As a member of the admissions committee I can tell you we got a lot of letters of rec that were basically meaningless. They said things like she performed well in my class. UGH! Wrong approach. If you have the lawyer who is on your class write one make sure he says things about how you can contribute to the classroom environment and why he thinks you will make a good lawyer.

Also, for professors who don't know you too well but performed well in their classes try to get them to let you see a draft of the letter. I had one professor who I had taken two bio classes from and set the curve. When I asked him to write a rec for me he used a form letter and didn't change the hes to shes. I was quite thankful I asked for extra copies and had him deliver them to me rather than send them directly.

Good luck!

LD

[juniorgrrl]

My LoR were from:
My UG Business Law teacher, who was an attorney - she and I got along great and I did really well in her class

My favorite teacher in my major (I was an IS major - not typical for law school)

A city court judge who is a close family friend and has known me my whole life.

1L was one of the worst experiences of my life (other than my father dying and my mother's breast cancer). But I LOVE my job - I've been clerking this summer and its great.

Good luck! Where are you applying?

[ilovemyglo]

I am applying to U of L- mainly because it is in my hometown, where I plan on living! And, it would be cheaper for in state tuition- and also because they have the specialty I am most interested in right now- intellectual property.

I think I am going to have my professor, my lawyer and my boss write the letters for me. From what I have read they have to send the letters to the LSDAS directly, I can't send them- same with my transcripts and everything- just goes to them, bypasses me. However, I will ask them to send me copies... hopefully that will work. And since my boss will send it from work I am sure I can read that one first.

I am really nervous! I take the LSATs in OCT and DEC. I have been scoring in the 150-170's on the practice ones- that is a HUGE difference! And I take the online questions everyday! (So far I have only missed 3!) I am really nervous, but if it doesn't work out so be it. I don't have the best GPA- a 3.4- and I never really planned on going to law school but I always thought about it. After working for a year I figured if I don't try I will regret it the rest of my life!

Any other advice is welcomed!!
THANKS!
Sarah

[IvySpice]

My LoR came from college professors. I applied at the very last second because I needed letters from professors who'd taught me senior fall. But it all worked out!