How to Request a Law School Recommendation Letter

Letters of recommendation are an essential part of your law school applications. Not only will they add life to your transcript grades, but they will also allow professors and other sources to corroborate your hard work and readiness for the academic rigors of law school.

Law schools typically require 2-3 rec letters (2 from academic sources, 1 from a professional source). You are able to add more, but law schools only guarantee that they will read the required amount.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the steps to ask for a recommendation letter from your writers.

Timeline and Steps

Early in Your Undergraduate Career (Sophomore or Junior Year):

  • Identify Potential Recommenders: Begin thinking about professors or employers who know you well and can speak positively about your academic abilities, character, and potential for law school. Consider faculty members that you have either had more than once, are from different academic disciplines, and whose classes you have done well in. Avoid classes that you took earlier in your college career or where the coursework did not pose a real challenge for you. You should be asking yourself the question: who could write me the most flattering letter?
  • Cultivate Relationships: Make a conscious effort to stand out in your classes and build strong relationships with potential recommenders. Participate actively in class discussions, seek out office hours, and demonstrate your interest in the subject matter.
  • Informal Conversations: Initiate casual conversations with potential recommenders to express your interest in law school. This will give them time to get to know you better and consider if they can write a strong letter.

Summer Before Senior Year:

  • Formal Request: Once you’ve identified your top choices, schedule a meeting or call with each potential recommender to formally ask for a letter of recommendation. Try to ask in person first before asking via e-mail.
    • Be specific: Explain why you are interested in law school and why you believe this recommender is well-suited to write a strong letter.
    • Provide information: Offer to provide the recommender with your resume, transcript, and a draft of your personal statement.
    • Set a deadline: Give the recommender ample time to write the letter (ideally around 4-6 weeks), but also set a clear deadline of when you intend to apply.

Fall Semester of Senior Year:

  • Stay in Touch: Maintain communication with your recommenders. Provide them with updates on your law school applications, such as deadlines and any specific information they should include in the letter.
  • Gather Materials: Collect any additional materials that might be helpful to your recommenders, such as awards, honors, or publications.
  • Request your Recommenders through LSAC: When you are ready to apply to law school, request your recommenders on your LSAC portal. You will need their full name, e-mail, and mailing address. (For Villanova professors use: 800 E Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085)
  • Final Check-in: Remind your recommenders of the upcoming deadlines (if need be), and express your gratitude for their support.
  • Submit Materials: Provide your recommenders with all necessary materials, including LSAC letter request forms.

Applying to law school after you graduate? Not a problem! Ask your professors if it’s okay to keep in touch with them and explain your post-grad plans. Professors are no stranger to writing rec letters for alumni!

Have more questions? Schedule an appointment with your pre-law advisor here.