Top Law Schools

Here's the skinny: I have four letters of recommendation, which is all I will use/need. One of my professors sent me a copy of his well-written LOR, but there's a problem. In it he mentions that he met my academic excellence in a class which I never took. I did take a class with him, but not the one he mentions. When I e-mailed him, I did mention which class I took with him. I do know that he teaches like three sections of the class I didn't take and one of the course I did take, so I guess I can understand where he got confused.

My question is: will this get noticed? Obviously, schools will have my transcript, but will they put two and two together? The class he mentions. "professional writing," has a name similar to a class I did take, though not with him, "research and argumentative writing." Otherwise, it was an eloquent letter that I would very much like to include.

Don't include it unless you need 4 LOR's.

There's a slim likelihood that readers of both your transcript and this LOR are going to cross-reference them, and if they do, I think the initial response might be to dismiss it as a simple mistake in terms of class-title labeling (unless it's clear that the class you took with him on your transcript is in NO WAY similar).

That being said, it's dependent on how strong this LOR is in relation to your others. For the most part you should only need upwards of 3 so it's possible to avoid using this one, but if this is really a slam-dunk LOR outside of that mistake then I say take your chances and send it.

You say you "would like" to include, implying that you did not send it in yet. Why can't you ask him to fix it, and resend the letter?

bk187 wrote:Don't include it unless you need 4 LOR's.

This.

pwyoung wrote:There's a slim likelihood that readers of both your transcript and this LOR are going to cross-reference them, and if they do, I think the initial response might be to dismiss it as a simple mistake in terms of class-title labeling (unless it's clear that the class you took with him on your transcript is in NO WAY similar).

He put, "professional writing." I took, "literature in film."

pwyoung wrote:That being said, it's dependent on how strong this LOR is in relation to your others. For the most part you should only need upwards of 3 so it's possible to avoid using this one, but if this is really a slam-dunk LOR outside of that mistake then I say take your chances and send it.

He's the only person who sent me a copy, so I don't know how good the others are.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:You say you "would like" to include, implying that you did not send it in yet. Why can't you ask him to fix it, and resend the letter?

I haven't submitted any applications yet, but deadlines are knocking on the door. I'm a little bit uneasy about taking this route. Since I can't view my letters on LSAC, I don't know if there is any way I can be sure that it does get changed.

Ahem, from the LOR cover form:

"Important: This form must be fully completed and must accompany your signed letter of recommendation in order for
LSAC to match the letter to the applicant's file. Letters received without this completed form or without your signature will be
returned to you. Do not send supporting materials (e.g., résumés) with your letter. They will be returned to you. Please complete
or correct the lower portion of this form and mail the form and your signed recommendation letter, preferably on letterhead, in a
sealed envelope directly to LSAC at the address shown above. If the applicant provides you with an envelope addressed to
LSAC and bearing his or her return address, please place your signature across the bottom portion of the envelope flap after
sealing. Please do not staple your letter to this form. "

How hard is it for recommenders to read this instruction? You are not supposed to be editing and/or reviewing your LORs!!! Just don't submit it, you'll be fine with only 3.

Cade McNown wrote: How hard is it for recommenders to read this instruction? You are not supposed to be editing and/or reviewing your LORs!!!

What about this instruction gives you the impression that recommenders cannot disclose their letters to candidates?

Anonymous Loser wrote:

Cade McNown wrote: How hard is it for recommenders to read this instruction? You are not supposed to be editing and/or reviewing your LORs!!!

What about this instruction gives you the impression that recommenders cannot disclose their letters to candidates?

DIRECTLY to lsac.

Cade McNown wrote:Ahem, from the LOR cover form:

"Important: This form must be fully completed and must accompany your signed letter of recommendation in order for
LSAC to match the letter to the applicant's file. Letters received without this completed form or without your signature will be
returned to you. Do not send supporting materials (e.g., résumés) with your letter. They will be returned to you. Please complete
or correct the lower portion of this form and mail the form and your signed recommendation letter, preferably on letterhead, in a
sealed envelope directly to LSAC at the address shown above. If the applicant provides you with an envelope addressed to
LSAC and bearing his or her return address, please place your signature across the bottom portion of the envelope flap after
sealing. Please do not staple your letter to this form. "

How hard is it for recommenders to read this instruction? You are not supposed to be editing and/or reviewing your LORs!!! Just don't submit it, you'll be fine with only 3.

You are incorrect. Nowehere does LSAC indicate that you are not supposed to see your LOR. Their process ensures that the LOR they receive is actually from the professor, and they give students the ability to opt out of their FERPA right to see the letter, but LSC never says that the recommender can't send you a copy of their letter to check over. This is such common practice that, if it were verboten, LSAC would state it explicitly.

Cade McNown wrote:Ahem, from the LOR cover form:

"Important: This form must be fully completed and must accompany your signed letter of recommendation in order for
LSAC to match the letter to the applicant's file. Letters received without this completed form or without your signature will be
returned to you. Do not send supporting materials (e.g., résumés) with your letter. They will be returned to you. Please complete
or correct the lower portion of this form and mail the form and your signed recommendation letter, preferably on letterhead, in a
sealed envelope directly to LSAC at the address shown above. If the applicant provides you with an envelope addressed to
LSAC and bearing his or her return address, please place your signature across the bottom portion of the envelope flap after
sealing. Please do not staple your letter to this form. "

How hard is it for recommenders to read this instruction? You are not supposed to be editing and/or reviewing your LORs!!! Just don't submit it, you'll be fine with only 3.

How hard is it for 0Ls to understand the plain meaning of this instruction?

Bildungsroman wrote:

Cade McNown wrote:Ahem, from the LOR cover form:

"Important: This form must be fully completed and must accompany your signed letter of recommendation in order for
LSAC to match the letter to the applicant's file. Letters received without this completed form or without your signature will be
returned to you. Do not send supporting materials (e.g., résumés) with your letter. They will be returned to you. Please complete
or correct the lower portion of this form and mail the form and your signed recommendation letter, preferably on letterhead, in a
sealed envelope directly to LSAC at the address shown above. If the applicant provides you with an envelope addressed to
LSAC and bearing his or her return address, please place your signature across the bottom portion of the envelope flap after
sealing. Please do not staple your letter to this form. "

How hard is it for recommenders to read this instruction? You are not supposed to be editing and/or reviewing your LORs!!! Just don't submit it, you'll be fine with only 3.

You are incorrect. Nowehere does LSAC indicate that you are not supposed to see your LOR. Their process ensures that the LOR they receive is actually from the professor, and they give students the ability to opt out of their FERPA right to see the letter, but LSC never says that the recommender can't send you a copy of their letter to check over. This is such common practice that, if it were verboten, LSAC would state it explicitly.

Ok, you're right, I was reading too much into that. Still, a LOR is not genuine if the student it's for can alter it. OP is fortunate to have caught the professor's error, and I think the best thing to do is abandon the letter.

cmraider wrote:Here's the skinny: I have four letters of recommendation, which is all I will use/need. One of my professors sent me a copy of his well-written LOR, but there's a problem. In it he mentions that he met my academic excellence in a class which I never took. I did take a class with him, but not the one he mentions. When I e-mailed him, I did mention which class I took with him. I do know that he teaches like three sections of the class I didn't take and one of the course I did take, so I guess I can understand where he got confused.

My question is: will this get noticed? Obviously, schools will have my transcript, but will they put two and two together? The class he mentions. "professional writing," has a name similar to a class I did take, though not with him, "research and argumentative writing." Otherwise, it was an eloquent letter that I would very much like to include.

When I went to B school I had an academic advisor send a letter directly to a school and when he copied me, he referred to what a wonderful student John was. I bet he was. The only problem is my name is not John.

If the adcom's find the error it still wont hurt you, it may no longer help you, but it cant hurt. Most professors cut and paste old reference letters.