What Should Your Recommender Say?

You’ve finally lined up your dream Recommenders. What will they write about you in their Letter of Recommendation? I’ve seen too many times when a Recommender wrote less than helpful things about a client, and this not only hurt my client’s application, it broke their heart that someone they trusted to be on their side really wasn’t. Although you can’t control what a Recommender writes, here are some ways you can take control of this situation and offer guidance …

  1. REMIND YOUR RECOMMENDER WHO YOU ARE- If it’s been several months or longer since you were in a Professor’s class, or if your Recommender is super busy (who isn’t these days?!) or for any number of other reasons, it’s possible your Recommender may not remember you and/or your relationship with them in as much detail as will impress an admissions committee. Remind them of specific situations you handled, times when you assumed a leadership position, challenges you overcame.

 

  1. PROVIDE THEM WITH A COPY OF YOUR ESSAY- A great way to remind your Recommender of who you are and to let them know the direction you’re going with your application, is to provide them with a draft of your Personal Statement and a copy of your Resume.

 

  1. TELL THEM WHAT YOU’D LIKE THEM TO WRITE- If you want your Recommender to write about a specific incident or project you shared with them, let them know what this experience was, they will appreciate the reminder. Even if you’ve provided them with a copy of your Personal Statement, it’s a good idea to tell them specifically what aspect of your essay or other information in your application you’d like them to write about. Try to find out ahead of time if your Recommender is willing to write about the experience or qualities you want them to.

 

  1. DO NOT WRITE THE RECOMMENDATION YOURSELF!- Even if your Recommender asks you to. This will be the kiss of death to your integrity and your application. It is NOT worth the risk.

Most important is that your Recommender write in specific detail about their relationship with you, their observation of you in leadership or challenging experiences, your lawyerlike qualities. See my blog on Who Makes a Good Recommender at lawadmissionsconsultant.com

For a video that covers all aspects of the law school admissions process and other great videos, books with actual essays written by actual clients who were accepted to actual and multiple law schools, and more go to lawadmissionsconsultant.com ……

Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Admissions Consultant