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REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:10 pm
by birD
My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:13 pm
by DoubleChecks
if it is really amazing, it'll be a nice positive soft boost...but not something earth shattering. in fact, it is no where near as amazing as a higher LSAT score, which for some reason you refuse to retake?
w/ a GPA like that and strong softs, you'd get into a really good school if you could bump your LSAT score up.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:18 pm
by Casus
DoubleChecks wrote: w/ a GPA like that and strong softs, you'd get into a really good school if you could bump your LSAT score up.
Exactly. Your letter certainly won't hurt, but it will help you a lot more if you provide further evidence that you'll be able to similarly succeed in law school. Schools look for such evidence in your LSAT score along with your GPA and recommendations. If you're able to boost it, even by a few points, it will make a huge difference.
If you are applying this fall, you can still take the June and September 2010 LSAT tests without any disadvantage for your cycle. I would strongly consider studying hard and bringing up that LSAT score. As many TLSers like to say, "don't waste that GPA."
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:23 pm
by jks289
This is just my personal experience of it: I got to see one of my letters, and I think it was similarly amazing. Stated I was among the most dedicated and gifted students she had taught, gave a personal anecdote about my integrity, it actually brought tears to my eyes to read it. Looking at my cycle, I would say it had practically zero impact. All of my admit, denies, and waitlists are easily explained by the numbers. That's just the truth of it. The only possible exception is that I was inexplicably waitlisted by Chicago (rather than outright rejected). I think that the combination of the letters and a compelling personal statement might have made the difference there, but I suspect it had more to do with unusual work/life experience. Bottom line, a great letter is a hell of a lot better than a mediocre one, but nothing matters if you GPA and LSAT aren't up to par. With that GPA you should really, really consider a retake. Good luck.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:31 pm
by paralegal
DoubleChecks wrote:w/ a GPA like that and strong softs, you'd get into a really good school if you could bump your LSAT score up.
think of it like this - the LSAT is, in a very real sense, part of the law school process....it's about endurance and perseverence and determination....all qualities that you"ll need to succeed in law school.
it's not a short sprint....it's a marathon....
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:44 pm
by birD
the 159 was a retake and I literally studied for a year to get it, I just don't have it in me to study anymore. Plus I already have a job lined up after graduation so it doesn't matter much, I really just want to go to Northeastern and with my numbers I am border line so I'm just hope this letter will put me over the edge
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:47 pm
by jks289
birD wrote:the 159 was a retake and I literally studied for a year to get it, I just don't have it in me to study anymore. Plus I already have a job lined up after graduation so it doesn't matter much, I really just want to go to Northeastern and with my numbers I am border line so I'm just hope this letter will put me over the edge
I don't mean to sound discouraging, but according to lsn (and everything else) a 3.9, 159 is not borderline, it is an auto reject unless you are URM and a likely reject even if you are. The lowest LSAT they are willing to take from non-URMs seems to be a 165.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:51 pm
by birD
northeastern in boston? I think you are thinking of northwestern haha
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:57 pm
by jks289
birD wrote:northeastern in boston? I think you are thinking of northwestern haha
Haha, reading comp fail.
But seriously, retake and go to Northwestern!!
I do think you'll get into Northeastern. Good luck.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:19 pm
by JazzOne
What kind of job do you have lined up? Will it be enough to payoff law school debt?
I ask because I am normally in the "retake" camp, especially for someone with your numbers. I'd retake even if I had a guaranteed job just to get a scholarship or get into a top school. If going to a top school doesn't appeal to you, graduating with no debt should.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:30 pm
by birD
I have to stay in boston and have good enough numbers for a full ride at New England if I go that route. If not my parents say they will probably pay like half my tuition. My boyfriend is in optometry school in Boston and I live with him and when we graduate he's taking over for my dad who's an optometrist who runs his own practice making around $500,000 a yr. So I don't want to sound like a bitch but due to my lucky family situation I'm pretty much set for life. The job I have lined up is with my mom, so I doubt that's going anywhere... I don't really plan on working that much I want to have a lot of kids. life is goooood
I just found out I got into another LS so I can't really control the level of snotty/bitchiness coming out of my mouth right now, so sorry if I have thoroughly offended you.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:32 pm
by paratactical
birD wrote:I have to stay in boston and have good enough numbers for a full ride at New England if I go that route. If not my parents say they will probably pay like half my tuition. My boyfriend is in optometry school in Boston and I live with him and when we graduate he's taking over for my dad who's an optometrist who runs his own practice making around $500,000 a yr. So I don't want to sound like a bitch but due to my lucky family situation I'm pretty much set for life. The job I have lined up is with my mom, so I doubt that's going anywhere... I don't really plan on working that much I want to have a lot of kids. life is goooood
I just found out I got into another LS so I can't really control the level of snotty/bitchiness coming out of my mouth right now, so sorry if I have thoroughly offended you.
Wait...
So why go to law school?
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:34 pm
by Hedwig
I would take over that optometrist's gig myself, personally. Or get a solid pre-nup before you hand that business over to your boyfriend.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:35 pm
by JazzOne
No worries. I'd still retake if I were you and try to go to BU or something like that. But you seem to know what you're doing. Good luck!
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:35 pm
by Clint Eastwood
birD wrote:My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
birD wrote:the 159 was a retake and I literally studied for a year to get it, I just don't have it in me to study anymore. Plus I already have a job lined up after graduation so it doesn't matter much, I really just want to go to Northeastern and with my numbers I am border line so I'm just hope this letter will put me over the edge
birD wrote:
northeastern in boston? I think you are thinking of northwestern haha
birD wrote:I have to stay in boston and have good enough numbers for a full ride at New England if I go that route. If not my parents say they will probably pay like half my tuition. My boyfriend is in optometry school in Boston and I live with him and when we graduate he's taking over for my dad who's an optometrist who runs his own practice making around $500,000 a yr. So I don't want to sound like a bitch but due to my lucky family situation I'm pretty much set for life. The job I have lined up is with my mom, so I doubt that's going anywhere... I don't really plan on working that much I want to have a lot of kids. life is goooood
I just found out I got into another LS so I can't really control the level of snotty/bitchiness coming out of my mouth right now, so sorry if I have thoroughly offended you.
retake
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:36 pm
by chup
You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:36 pm
by 4102011
paratactical wrote:birD wrote:I have to stay in boston and have good enough numbers for a full ride at New England if I go that route. If not my parents say they will probably pay like half my tuition. My boyfriend is in optometry school in Boston and I live with him and when we graduate he's taking over for my dad who's an optometrist who runs his own practice making around $500,000 a yr. So I don't want to sound like a bitch but due to my lucky family situation I'm pretty much set for life. The job I have lined up is with my mom, so I doubt that's going anywhere... I don't really plan on working that much I want to have a lot of kids. life is goooood
I just found out I got into another LS so I can't really control the level of snotty/bitchiness coming out of my mouth right now, so sorry if I have thoroughly offended you.
Wait...
So why go to law school?
+1
Also, I second the pre-nup.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:36 pm
by paratactical
aschup wrote:You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake.
Fuck that. She's probably not even an objective 5.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:37 pm
by JazzOne
eit wrote:I would take over that optometrist's gig myself, personally. Or get a solid pre-nup before you hand that business over to your boyfriend.
+1
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:39 pm
by CG614
You are set up for a big surprise. Life isn't as easy as it may seem to you. Good luck.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:40 pm
by Jack Smirks
Clint Eastwood wrote:birD wrote:My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
birD wrote:the 159 was a retake and I literally studied for a year to get it, I just don't have it in me to study anymore. Plus I already have a job lined up after graduation so it doesn't matter much, I really just want to go to Northeastern and with my numbers I am border line so I'm just hope this letter will put me over the edge
birD wrote:
northeastern in boston? I think you are thinking of northwestern haha
birD wrote:I have to stay in boston and have good enough numbers for a full ride at New England if I go that route. If not my parents say they will probably pay like half my tuition. My boyfriend is in optometry school in Boston and I live with him and when we graduate he's taking over for my dad who's an optometrist who runs his own practice making around $500,000 a yr. So I don't want to sound like a bitch but due to my lucky family situation I'm pretty much set for life. The job I have lined up is with my mom, so I doubt that's going anywhere... I don't really plan on working that much I want to have a lot of kids. life is goooood
I just found out I got into another LS so I can't really control the level of snotty/bitchiness coming out of my mouth right now, so sorry if I have thoroughly offended you.
retake
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:40 pm
by Bildungsroman
birD wrote:My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
Wow, you're lucky. Most people get LORs about how much they suck.
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:41 pm
by WestOfTheRest
naterj wrote:Clint Eastwood wrote:birD wrote:My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
birD wrote:the 159 was a retake and I literally studied for a year to get it, I just don't have it in me to study anymore. Plus I already have a job lined up after graduation so it doesn't matter much, I really just want to go to Northeastern and with my numbers I am border line so I'm just hope this letter will put me over the edge
birD wrote:
northeastern in boston? I think you are thinking of northwestern haha
birD wrote:I have to stay in boston and have good enough numbers for a full ride at New England if I go that route. If not my parents say they will probably pay like half my tuition. My boyfriend is in optometry school in Boston and I live with him and when we graduate he's taking over for my dad who's an optometrist who runs his own practice making around $500,000 a yr. So I don't want to sound like a bitch but due to my lucky family situation I'm pretty much set for life. The job I have lined up is with my mom, so I doubt that's going anywhere... I don't really plan on working that much I want to have a lot of kids. life is goooood
I just found out I got into another LS so I can't really control the level of snotty/bitchiness coming out of my mouth right now, so sorry if I have thoroughly offended you.
retake
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:41 pm
by Hedwig
Bildungsroman wrote:birD wrote:My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
Wow, you're lucky. Most people get LORs about how much they suck.
Did she talk about how modest you are, too?
Re: REALLY GOOD letter of rec.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:42 pm
by 4102011
eit wrote:Bildungsroman wrote:birD wrote:My professor just sent me a copy of the letter of rec they wrote for me and it's really amazing, I've had her for 3 different classes so she knows me really well and it basically says I'm the best student she's ever had. It also goes into how I'm an amazing writer and researcher, really enthusiastic and just an awesome person in general. I'm not trying to be an ass I just wanted to let make it clear what the letter said. So my question is will this give me any significant help for this cycle, I have a pretty crappy lsat (159, and not retaking) and a 3.92 lsac gpa. I just wanted to know how helpful a good letter of rec is. Thanks!
Wow, you're lucky. Most people get LORs about how much they suck.
Did she talk about how modest you are, too?
Don't forget classy & thrifty.