Today we want to offer some basic tips on a critical variable in the law school admissions equation: recommender selection. When choosing your recommenders, remember that it can be seen as a test of judgment – therefore, you should pick recommenders with whom you have a positive relationship, since, if they like and respect you, their letters are likely to be much more positive and persuasive. Doing so will confirm your ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
First, most law schools request that you provide recommendations from current or former professors. It is therefore important to choose professors who know you well and will speak positively about your academic abilities and progress. If you are several years out of school, it’s important that you have kept in touch with these professors so they can speak about your progress since the time of your graduation.
If are currently out of school and working professionally, an employer is also a viable choice of recommender. This professional recommendation should come from someone with greater seniority than you, as admissions committees give greater weight to statements made by your superiors than by a peer.
It’s also important to choose recommenders from a range of fields or backgrounds. Having recommendation letters that come from people with varying perspectives is an important aspect of providing a full picture of your candidacy and ability to work in a variety of situations. For that reason, you may also want to consider having recommenders from different genders. This is important, especially for people coming from a background typically dominated by one gender, such as the military. Law schools look for applicants who are able to work with different types of people and in a variety of atmospheres, and therefore recommendation letters are an ideal avenue for you to demonstrate this about yourself.
It’s also important to select recommenders who can address different subjects of your candidacy, such as your intellect, personal character, professional success, and leadership abilities. Even if you have recommenders from the same school or company, it will be more effective if they know you through different departments or different projects, and can therefore discuss the full range of your abilities or interests.
We hope these tips offer a good starting point for readers who are beginning to think about this critical step!
