4 Steps to Request a Letter of Recommendation
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Step 1
- Seek Mentors Early
Seek mentors early. Begin getting to know your professors or other mentors early in your college career. Mentors may include teaching assistants, professionals in the field, volunteer coordinators, internship supervisors or other professionals.
Don't wait until your senior year to seek out a mentor. Your mentor can provide valuable guidance and advice throughout your college experience. Your priorities and passions may change over time and it is not uncommon that you may have a few mentors through different experiences.
Maintain your relationships throughout college. The better an individual truly knows you, the more they can speak on your behalf as part of a letter of recommendation for an admissions committee to consider you for professional school.
- Common Letter Sources for Law School
Always determine if any specific types of letter(s) of recommendation are required for an individual program of your choice. Most law schools do not specify the type of recommendation applicants should provide. It is common for applicants to request letters from a:
- Faculty member (or teaching assistant)
- Research Mentor
- Faculty Advisor
- Employer
- Internship coordinator
- Volunteer Supervisor/Manager
- Attorney (if they have observed your work)
Step 2
- Professionalism
- Sit up front and speak up in class.
- Attend office hours.
- Introduce yourself and communicate in person, not just by email.
- Be consistent: come prepared and ready to participate each week, be prompt and dress professionally (business casual) to class, events or in work settings.
- Be present: when you are in class or any professional setting, avoid distractions such as your phone or social media. Be an active listener, thoughtfully reflect and respond when called upon to contribute with an individual or a group.
- Networking
- Familiarize yourself with your professor's research or other responsibilities. How do they spend their professional time other than teaching your class?
- Acquaint yourself with a person’s organization or company. What is their specific role in the organization and how do they spend their professional time beyond their direct role?
- Look for opportunities to enroll in a second, more advanced course with the same professor (if this is an option).
- Consider serving as a teaching assistant, peer mentor, or research assistant for a professor you have taken a class with.
- Take the time to find ways to serve or be proactive when approaching others.
- Be positive and always thank someone for their time or send them a thank you note.
Step 3
- Who should I approach?
First, brainstorm 3-5 specific people whom you might approach. Consider people who have observed your work (academic or other environments) and can speak to your abilities, personal qualities, characteristics, competencies and capabilities.
Ask yourself:
- What is your relationship to them?
- How well do they know me professionally?
- In what context have they seen me develop?
- What would they have to say about me?
- Does this source meet any required, specific type of letter required for my professional application?
- How should I approach them?
Schedule an appointment early in your application process with your potential recommender(s) to discuss your intended goals and be prepared with:
- Current Resume
- Personal Statement
- Project or copy of work completed for the recommender’s class or community setting
Ask if they would be willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation versus just a recommendation letter. Consider offering the individual the opportunity to interview you if you feel they would like to consider your request. It may make them feel more comfortable if it has been a length of time since you have worked together.
Be respectful and if they say no, please thank them for their time and consider alternative sources.
- If they accept, what are my next steps?
If they accept, please remember to:
- Offer your writer the “Resources for Recommenders” below as a courtesy guide to assist them.
- Give your letter writer 6-8 weeks to write your letter of recommendation.
- Please provide them with an agreed-upon deadline.
- Provide detailed instructions on how to send your recommendation letter to the appropriate application portal.
- Send a thank you note and keep your recommender updated about your acceptances.
- If they deny, what should I do?
First, remember there are many reasons someone may defer from providing a recommendation. Consider:
- Writing a strong letter of recommendation will usually take the recommender a large portion of their time and they may have pressing obligations that prevent them from being able to complete a letter in the time frame you require
- They may be unable to write you a strong letter
- Some individuals simply don't write letters of recommendation
If you approached someone early in your application process there is still time to review your list of potential recommenders and schedule other appointments. If it is late in your application process, review the requirements for your potential programs before planning your next step. Depending on your scenario, you may already have enough recommendations or you may need to broaden or reconsider your options for potential recommenders.