Did a lot of you know what your letters of rec said? Forum

[JustSomebody]

Before they were sent off to LSAC? Because I just got a notification that my first one was received by LSAC, but I'm a little nervous as I have no idea what was said in it, as I obviously waived the right to read it.

At my huge university it was difficult to develop a lot of personal relationships with the professors. So I just asked a professor who I took three classes from and got an A in all of them. Even though he didn't really know who I am, I thought he'd be one of the best to ask just based on my academic record with him... Maybe it's my fault I didn't go to office hours enough or whatever, but I wasn't even sure I'd be going to law school at that point and it didn't cross my mind to start sucking up in hopes of getting a good LOR.

ANYWAY, I see a lot of people here say they have "really good letters of recommendation." How do you all know this? I'm guessing your teachers let you see the drafts first or something, but mine just sent it directly to LSAC. So I have no idea what he wrote and am nervous. I was hoping maybe he'd send me a draft on his own, but... he didn't.

[bceagles182]

Most people don't know exactly what they said.

The people who say they had great LOR are people who had close relationships with recognized professors so they have confidence that the professor would write them a great LOR.

If you did well in a class at a large school, most professors understand even if you didn't know them particularly well and will give you a solid LOR because they want students at their school to succeed.

[cinephile]

I'm sure it'll be fine. Even if it's not a stellar, specific LOR, the prof probably has some sort of format s/he uses for LORs and can at least say that you had high marks in each of the classes you've taken with him/her.

I don't know how many people see their recs, but I felt confident about mine because of the close relationships I had with these profs out of class (worked as her research assistant, my advisor, encouraged/helped me to publish a paper). I had talked to these profs about my career goals and felt like they liked me and felt I had academic potential. But for all I know, they might've written completely generic letters.

ETA: pretty much what bceagles182 said

[glewz]

Two gave me copies of their letters after they had sent them to LSAC. I think it depends on how close you are with the professor, but don't worry too much about this; usually professors are courteous enough to tell you if they aren't interested in writing one.

[WestOfTheRest]

I wouldn't have used it if I didn't know what it said. Honestly, I would have found a professor who was willing to show it to me.

[ahduth]

I more than approved mine before they were submitted.

[094320]

..

[Gecko of Doom]

Both of my professors showed me the letters, but I get the impression that it's not the norm. I know for a fact that some professors at my school had a policy of not showing letters to students, regardless of how good the recommendations were. I wouldn't worry about it. If you were a good student in this professor's class and he agreed to write a letter for you, I'm sure it's at least solid.

[Real Madrid]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry. A professor is not going to screw you over in a letter of recommendation. If they couldn't write anything good about you, I'm sure they'd just tell you up front that they can't write you one at all.

[minnbills]

Most profs write at least 1 letter of rec per semester, and many have generic letters prepped in case someone asks and they're not prepared to write anything specific.

I wouldn't worry about it. I do have one prof who wanted to use some website where he could upload the letter and I could have the company send it whenever I needed it after I was done with LS admissions- to maintain confidentiality. I thought that was a bit strange but I trust him.