Letters of Recommendation
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:28 pm
Hi,
I am in the middle of intense preparation for the October LSAT and am currently weighing the option of applying to schools this cycle against doing so next year (or possibly a couple years down the road if I take a couple years off to work full-time). Though my LSAT performance may affect this choice, I am heavily leaning towards applying next cycle (or in a couple years) so I can gain additional work experience, make my applications perfect, and apply as early as possible in the cycle. I feel that if I were to apply this cycle after receiving my LSAT score in late October, I'd be rushed to get things out at the expense of quality, even though certain advantages can be argued for in terms of going to law school straight from undergrad.
As such, I plan on asking two professors for letters of recommendation in the very near future. I am aware that the Credential Assembly Service must be purchased to submit applications to schools, so I guess my question is as follows: Does LSAC accept letters of rec only if you have CAS, or does it keep any letters received on file regardless? Also, if I choose to apply one or two cycles from now, will schools view older letters (i.e. from now) in a negative light? I also have at least one strong non-academic rec lined up, but then again my impression is that schools strongly prefer and/or require academic references from younger applicants such as myself.
I'd appreciate any advice/direction you more knowledgeable TLS folks can offer. Thanks!
I am in the middle of intense preparation for the October LSAT and am currently weighing the option of applying to schools this cycle against doing so next year (or possibly a couple years down the road if I take a couple years off to work full-time). Though my LSAT performance may affect this choice, I am heavily leaning towards applying next cycle (or in a couple years) so I can gain additional work experience, make my applications perfect, and apply as early as possible in the cycle. I feel that if I were to apply this cycle after receiving my LSAT score in late October, I'd be rushed to get things out at the expense of quality, even though certain advantages can be argued for in terms of going to law school straight from undergrad.
As such, I plan on asking two professors for letters of recommendation in the very near future. I am aware that the Credential Assembly Service must be purchased to submit applications to schools, so I guess my question is as follows: Does LSAC accept letters of rec only if you have CAS, or does it keep any letters received on file regardless? Also, if I choose to apply one or two cycles from now, will schools view older letters (i.e. from now) in a negative light? I also have at least one strong non-academic rec lined up, but then again my impression is that schools strongly prefer and/or require academic references from younger applicants such as myself.
I'd appreciate any advice/direction you more knowledgeable TLS folks can offer. Thanks!
