Letters of Recommendation
The Law School Admissions Council offers a convenient reference letter service that allows you to build a file over time. Access to LSAC’s Letter of Recommendation (LOR) service is included in Credential Assembly Service (CAS) registration. This service allows you to manage your letters of recommendation through your LSAC.org account. Scan the QR code in the top left corner to access LSAC’s Letter of Recommendation (LOR) directions. This guide will offer additional information on how to handle your recommendation letters as you apply to law school.
How many reference letters do I need?
Law schools place a great deal of emphasis on strong reference letters. Most law programs require two or three reference letters for admission. References from faculty members are ideal, but law schools may seriously consider nonacademic references as well, especially if applicants have been out of school for several years. Application instructions often specify who should write the letters and, occasionally, what issues should be addressed.
Who should write my letters?
The best reference is from someone who has high regard for your work, knows you well, and is a good writer. Ideally, your reference should be able to evaluate your performance in the same way and the same language as law schools’ admissions committee members assess students in their program. You may consider professors who know you well and will give you a robust and personalized reference. They may be advisors for student organizations, clubs, or professors for whom you have been a teaching assistant, grader, or research assistant. Suppose you have developed a strong relationship with your faculty advisor, dean, or other administrators. In that case, you may also consider approaching them for a reference. You may also ask supervisors from volunteer experiences and employers from jobs where you have had significant responsibility. Refrain from submitting letters from politicians, judges, or congresspersons unless you have had an opportunity to work for these individuals directly. Many admissions committees do not favor these “power letters” since the writers usually have limited first-hand knowledge of candidates and their abilities