Any use for a non-academic LOR? Forum

[Easy-E]

I've already got one letter in from one of my professors, and I have a few options for a second one. Additionally, one of my lifelong friends father is a judge, who I have done some work for over the years, though nothing in a paralegal sense, just work around the office. Both him and his wife (also lawyer) have mentioned that they would be more than willing to write me a letter of recommendation if need be. I know academic LOR are the preferred, but would something like this be helpful in any sense?

[Ziva]

what are your other options for a second letter?

[Easy-E]

what are your other options for a second letter?

Oh I just meant it was between two other professors I'm considering asking. I had my first one for three classes, and these two for only one this semester, so I'm just playing it safe in case they don't pan out. I guess a better question would be, in ADDITION to two academic letters, would one like the one I described be helpful or not really?

[Leira7905]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

[09042014]

I didn't even have an academic one. Still got into NU, Iowa, Indiana, and Minneapolis

[Easy-E]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

I didn't even have an academic one. Still got into NU, Iowa, Indiana, and Minneapolis

Damn really. I was under the wrong impression it would seem. So just have two..of any type?

[Leira7905]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

Academic letters are preferred; however, if you worked for someone in the legal community, then that is also a good recommender, especially if you have a good academic one as well. Besides, like you said, you may get two other letters, in which case, pick the two that you think are strongest/say the most about what a great LS student you'll make.

Yes, I am a Paralegal.

[Easy-E]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

Academic letters are preferred; however, if you worked for someone in the legal community, then that is also a good recommender, especially if you have a good academic one as well. Besides, like you said, you may get two other letters, in which case, pick the two that you think are strongest/say the most about what a great LS student you'll make.

Yes, I am a Paralegal.

Thank you for the help, I guess I'll have to weigh the options.

[too old for this sh*]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

I didn't even have an academic one. Still got into NU, Iowa, Indiana, and Minneapolis

Damn really. I was under the wrong impression it would seem. So just have two..of any type?

There are some of us for whom it would be difficult to get academic recs...the last time I saw a prof in an academic setting, as one example, was close to fifteen years ago (she is now an assistant dean for the College).

[09042014]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

I didn't even have an academic one. Still got into NU, Iowa, Indiana, and Minneapolis

Damn really. I was under the wrong impression it would seem. So just have two..of any type?

I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Cornell seemed pissed I didn't have one.

[Easy-E]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

I didn't even have an academic one. Still got into NU, Iowa, Indiana, and Minneapolis

Damn really. I was under the wrong impression it would seem. So just have two..of any type?

I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Cornell seemed pissed I didn't have one.

Cornell is near the top of my desired schools, so thats very helpful to know, thank you


Well that's one of my most desired schools, so thank you!

[09042014]

Two of my letters were from attorneys that I had worked for, and I got into my choice school. I only had one academic LOR, and I never sent it to any schools because it came after my acceptance. hth

Hmm interesting. I always thought academic letters were strong preferred. If you don't mind me asking, in what capacity did you work for the attorneys? Paralegal?

I didn't even have an academic one. Still got into NU, Iowa, Indiana, and Minneapolis

Damn really. I was under the wrong impression it would seem. So just have two..of any type?

I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Cornell seemed pissed I didn't have one.

Cornell is near the top of my desired schools, so thats very helpful to know, thank you


Well that's one of my most desired schools, so thank you!

They want two academic.

[Easy-E]

Not sure why I said that twice in two different wordings. But thanks. I will try and get that second one.

[Emeth!]

I've already got one letter in from one of my professors, and I have a few options for a second one. Additionally, one of my lifelong friends father is a judge, who I have done some work for over the years, though nothing in a paralegal sense, just work around the office. Both him and his wife (also lawyer) have mentioned that they would be more than willing to write me a letter of recommendation if need be. I know academic LOR are the preferred, but would something like this be helpful in any sense?

I had 2 academic letters and one from a legal internship. Got an acceptance phone call from a T10 and got about a half scholly and was told the main reason I was getting money was cuz of an awesome (non-acadmic) rec letter

[ahduth]

I kinda told Cornell to suck a fat one because... they wanted the zip code of my father's high school or something, and I decided I didn't want to fill out the application. Also the formatting on their PDF didn't want to take my date of birth? I'm not quite sure now, but whatever it was, I'm not heading to Ithaca.

Anyhow I gave an academic and a professional. Both had been advisors/supervisors. For me, because I've been out of school so long, the professional one seemed... relevant. Either way it's important that they had direct supervision of your work product, and can testify to both your character and intelligence.

[Easy-E]

I've already got one letter in from one of my professors, and I have a few options for a second one. Additionally, one of my lifelong friends father is a judge, who I have done some work for over the years, though nothing in a paralegal sense, just work around the office. Both him and his wife (also lawyer) have mentioned that they would be more than willing to write me a letter of recommendation if need be. I know academic LOR are the preferred, but would something like this be helpful in any sense?

I had 2 academic letters and one from a legal internship. Got an acceptance phone call from a T10 and got about a half scholly and was told the main reason I was getting money was cuz of an awesome (non-acadmic) rec letter

Was the recommender an alum or something? That's pretty impressive.