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Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:23 am
by misc
I'm going to ask for a LOR from one of my professors tomorrow. I've been looking through some past threads about this question. Most of them mention that you need to provide the letter writer with a transcript, a resume, a PS if possible, and a sample of past work in their class.

Right now, I've got a copy of an essay I wrote for him and a cover letter type thing in which I explain to him why I chose him, suggestions for topics to discuss in the letter, some anecdotes from our past interactions that I hope he will include in the letter, etc.

But here's the thing, I don't understand how a resume or a transcript is going to be helpful. My resume is pretty barren right now. It basically consists of a couple of random part-time jobs and a couple of research projects I was involved in. I don't know if there's anything worthwhile that he could glean from it to include in the letter. I have the same concern about the transcript. What could he possibly talk about from it?

Are there any pressing reasons for why I should provide a resume and a transcript that I'm missing? Will I be fine with just the cover letter and the essay?

Thanks.

Re: Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:32 am
by northwood
ARe you going to write an email, call, or visit the professor in person? A resume will help offer some more background info on you. Dont bring transcripts or topics for them to write about ( unless specifically asked). The prof will only write about their own observations from you and your work level in their class. They write lors all of the time and may get annoyed or turned off byt suggestion sheets.

If you are going to visit the person and talk to them, plan on spending a good about of time talking about why law school, what you want to do with it, and things like that. They want to see that you are determined about law school, and wont change your mind ( even if you are not still 100 % sure, act like you are). If you are going to call them, explain your reasons over the phone, and ask them what they want you to mail ( along wiht a pre adressed and pre stamp envelope) If its an emial, you will have to explain it there. IF you do email, mail a resume,( for further background info) copies of your work, and the return materials ( addressed to lasc)

Re: Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:34 am
by hawkeye22
northwood wrote:ARe you going to write an email, call, or visit the professor in person? A resume will help offer some more background info on you. Dont bring transcripts or topics for them to write about ( unless specifically asked). The prof will only write about their own observations from you and your work level in their class. They write lors all of the time and may get annoyed or turned off byt suggestion sheets.

If you are going to visit the person and talk to them, plan on spending a good about of time talking about why law school, what you want to do with it, and things like that. They want to see that you are determined about law school, and wont change your mind ( even if you are not still 100 % sure, act like you are). If you are going to call them, explain your reasons over the phone, and ask them what they want you to mail ( along wiht a pre adressed and pre stamp envelope) If its an emial, you will have to explain it there. IF you do email, mail a resume,( for further background info) copies of your work, and the return materials ( addressed to lasc)
I brought both transcripts and a resume.

Re: Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:55 am
by gdane
Take a resume and the LSAC recommender form. I didnt give any of my recommenders transcripts because I had taken 3 classes with one and 2 classes with another, receiving A's in all of them. If youre not as close with your recommenders then take a transcript, otherwise you want them evaluating you on the work you did in their class.

Good luck!

Re: Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:56 am
by Grizz
Just ask.

Re: Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:00 am
by Cupidity
Better idea, get him a copy of your personal statement. Given this isn't in the transfers thread, sounds like you are way ahead of the game. If you don't have your personal statement yet, you may be better off waiting a week or two or even a month while you write it.

The three profs I had write mine said that my PS was incredibly helpful, and the impression I got is that having them all read it first helped to "theme" their LOR's in a way that created a nice motif for my overall admissions packet.

Re: Will ask for LOR tomorrow, what should I bring with me?

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:02 am
by hawkeye22
Cupidity wrote:Better idea, get him a copy of your personal statement. Given this isn't in the transfers thread, sounds like you are way ahead of the game. If you don't have your personal statement yet, you may be better off waiting a week or two or even a month while you write it.

The three profs I had write mine said that my PS was incredibly helpful, and the impression I got is that having them all read it first helped to "theme" their LOR's in a way that created a nice motif for my overall admissions packet.
Forgot about this. I did the same, profs asked me questions about it and said that it helped shape their letters.