Application Process
Letters of Recommendation
Applications will usually indicate whether letters of recommendation are required, recommended, or not desired. If no mention is made of letters, it can be assumed that they are acceptable but not very important to the school. Follow the law school's policy on recommendation letters. Adding material that has not been solicited may be viewed in a negative light. Many law schools ask that letters be sent directly to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
Criteria
In general, letters should comment on the applicant's academic progress and should
be specific; therefore, they should come from instructors who have had
significant personal contact with the student-generally, professors
in the applicant's major field-and those in whose classes the applicant's
work was most noteworthy. It is much better to have a detailed recommendation
from an assistant professor or even a graduate student instructor who
knows the applicant well, rather than a letter from a distinguished
professor of national prominence who can speak of the applicant only
in general terms.
Situations under which the applicant might solicit a letter of recommendation from other than an academic are the following:
- From a long-time employer who can state that the applicant was employed full time (half time, etc.) during his/her college career. This would verify that the applicant's GPA was achieved under difficult circumstances in addition to commenting on work ethic.
- From an athletic coach who can state that the applicant was a (three-year, four-year) member of the team and indicate the amount of time devoted to practice, road trips, etc. This would verify that the applicant's GPA was achieved despite the time demands of varsity athletics.
Law schools are generally not impressed with letters of recommendation obtained from political office-holders and other persons of "influence," including judges and attorneys, unless those persons also meet one of the criteria listed above. Indeed, letters that give the impression that the school is being "leaned on" by a person of presumed influence to accept a particular candidate may have a negative effect on that person's chances of admission.
In order to expedite the process, the applicant should provide the person writing the recommendation with the following:
- A brief resume (not necessarily the finished form one would send to a prospective employer but one containing all essential data).
- An unofficial set of transcripts, perhaps highlighting courses taken with the recommender.
- All applicable forms provided by the law schools. Be sure to indicate that you waive your right to see the recommendations. Nonconfidential letters are of little or no value. Besides, if you can't trust your recommender to write a good letter, you should not be making the request of that person.
- A stamped envelope addressed as directed by the law school.
Several weeks before providing the above materials, ask your recommenders if they are willing and able to write a strong, positive letter of reference for you. If they agree, be sure to give them at least three weeks to complete and mail the letters after you have given them the materials. Giving a recommender too little time to finish your letter shows a lack of organization and can turn a good recommendation into a poor one.
Tips on networking with professors
The key to a good letter of recommendation is a good relationship with your professor, and these mentoring types of relationships do not develop overnight. There are many ways to get to know your professors outside the classroom. The first, and best, strategy is to meet with your professors during their office hours. Make an appointment or just stop by. Discuss the reading or yesterday's lecture. Ask for tips on improving your writing or ideas for future research. Get to know them.
Another good way to get to know professors is by working as an undergraduate research assistant or collaborating on a project. Most professors welcome the opportunity to share their passion with an interested student, and students can often earn academic credit for their research work. Find out what types of opportunities are available in your department by asking your current professors or consulting with your academic advisor. Also see the Undergraduate Research Office, Barrett Honors College, for research opportunities for all ASU students.
Students can also get to know a professor by taking seminar classes that focus on discussion and have small enrollment caps. Ask your advisor or other students which classes and professors emphasize discussion and writing in their classes. These courses are generally academically challenging (the type of educational experience you should be seeking if you are planning on law school) and offer an opportunity for interaction between professors and students.
A good mentor relationship can enrich your undergraduate education immeasurably and sustain your intellectual life far beyond your college and law school years. A student who pursues special projects and demonstrates true intellectual curiosity and initiative is certainly the kind of student any good law school wants to admit. A great letter of recommendation is simply a happy by-product of a student's hard work.
Dean's Letter
Letters reflecting on the good character of the applicant, such as those normally obtained from pastors, dormitory supervisors, etc. are generally inappropriate unless they somehow meet the special status category set forth above. An exception to this is the so-called "Dean's Letter," which is required by a number of law schools in order to verify a student's class rank and that no disciplinary action was taken against the applicant by the undergraduate institution. Students should contact their college dean's office or the Dean of Student Life (SSV B-228) for completion of Dean's Letters