Apply now v.s. wait for 3rd rec Forum

[Confused7]

This is a potentially stupid question, but now that I've discovered a hidden CLS fee waiver I'd like to apply as soon as possible. The problem is that 1 of my rec has yet to be processed by LSAC (I have 3 in total), and I wasn't going to apply until I got all 3 of them. My question is: is it better to apply to schools like CLS now (they can wait until all recs come before you go "complete) or should I just wait for LSAC to process the 3rd rec?

I know I can't go "complete" either way until my 3rd rec is processed, but I'm just wondering if sending in the app now will allow CLS to look at my application faster when it does get processed than if I sent everything all at once later.

Thanks! Sorry again if this is a stupid question. I'm just kind of excited to submit my first law school app, lol.

[im_blue]

They don't look at your app until your LSAC report is ready.

[Confused7]

Thanks im_blue. I know I'll have to wait for my 3rd rec regardless, but I was just thinking that maybe they can assemble the other parts of my application in the interim and therefore can immediately pass it on to the committee when the 3rd rec comes in. But yeah, maybe I'm thinking too much about it. Thanks!

[mteevin]

why do you HAVE to wait for your 3rd rec? CLS requires only two. why wait and penalize yourself a week? LORs are not really all that important, anyway.

[Confused7]

Because the 3rd one just happens to be my 2nd academic LOR, and since most schools prefer 2 academic LORs, I don't want to take the risk of applying with 1 academic and 1 non-academic...

[mteevin]

do what you wish, but you should be fine with your current two. LORs are not going to hurt you unless they're lukewarm or written by someone who doesn't really know you. similarly, they will not help your application unless written by the President himself and you're applying to HLS.

[JazzOne]

Don't be cheap, dude. Go with VVS.

[Confused7]

Don't be cheap, dude. Go with VVS.

What's VVS? Also I'm a girl.

[JazzOne]

Don't be cheap, dude. Go with VVS.

What's VVS? Also I'm a girl.

It's a clarity rating for very expensive diamonds. It stands for "very very slightly included." I was just being a smart ass because you put "v.s." in the thread title (which is a slightly lower clarity rating). Sorry.