Professor asks what to write on reference letter Forum

[MrNiceGuy35]

One of the professors who I asked to write a reference letter for me has asked me what I'd like him to write. Essentially, it seems he's willing to write whatever is best for my acceptance, of course without lying. I was a top-notch graduate student in his classes and others; I graduated with a 3.99 GPA. I typically turned in my work early, indiciating good time management. I was usually applauded for my good writing and analytical thinking skills. I'd like to ask him to write about these characteristics....but what else? Any suggestions are appreciated.

[helix23]

I typically turned in my work early, indiciating good time management. I was usually applauded for my good writing and analytical thinking skills.

Irony! JK

I would assume a good recommendation letter would do two things: 1) explain his personal experience teaching you and why you were a good student and 2) why, based on #1, you will be a successful in law school and a good addition to the class.

[MrNiceGuy35]

Hehe, yep, spelling errors and improper use of the word "good" = "good writing!" LOL I'll have to be more careful writing these posts!!

[helix23]

Hehe, yep, spelling errors and improper use of the word "good" = "good writing!" LOL I'll have to be more careful writing these posts!!

It's the internet. I was really just messing with you.

[MrNiceGuy35]

No problem, I deserved it

[DougieFresh]

Bump.

I had a professor write me back and ask the same thing. Any input would be valued.

Going out on a limb here from some of the Dean interviews, a good LOR should explain why the student will be successful in law school. I remember in one interview, the Dean said something like, "we look for students who love to learn, students who are passionate in their intellectual pursuits."

I was thinking about responding to my prof. to keep this in mind, because I feel like it describes me well and is part of what the adcoms are looking for.

Thoughts?

[MrNiceGuy35]

Bump.

I had a professor write me back and ask the same thing. Any input would be valued.

Going out on a limb here from some of the Dean interviews, a good LOR should explain why the student will be successful in law school. I remember in one interview, the Dean said something like, "we look for students who love to learn, students who are passionate in their intellectual pursuits."

I was thinking about responding to my prof. to keep this in mind, because I feel like it describes me well and is part of what the adcoms are looking for.

Thoughts?

Sounds good to me, bust of course since I'm the OP with the question, I don't know definitively if it's useful.

[mushybrain]

I was asked this when I applied. I used the school profiles on here to help provide a profile of what schools are generally looking for, and I just explained what schools find important. I did use what was mentioned above re: dean interviews and asked that there was a clear message about my potential to succeed (as opposed to "she's smart").

[MrNiceGuy35]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I sent my former professor a nice email that essentially gave a bulleted list of items I thought were important with a statement something like, "I believe these characteristics define me, if you agree please include them."