LORs, few options Forum

[SBTC]

Out of undergrad and I know I need at least one, preferably two, LORs from professors. Problem is, I didn't do too well in undergrad, terrible GPA, and the professor who knew me best only gave me a B. The very few As I got in undergrad were from professors who didn't know me/probably don't remember me. Is it unusual to ask a professor for a recommendation when you got a B in their class? What should I do?

[Ti Malice]

If you have a terrible GPA, then your all of your options are law schools where LORs really only matter if they're negative. I would advise against getting a letter from the prof that gave you a B. A couple of perfunctory, blandly positive LORs from profs who don't know you but who won't be able to say anything negative (because you got As in their classes) is probably your best bet.

[bp shinners]

If you have a terrible GPA, then your all of your options are law schools where LORs really only matter if they're negative. I would advise against getting a letter from the prof that gave you a B. A couple of perfunctory, blandly positive LORs from profs who don't know you but who won't be able to say anything negative (because you got As in their classes) is probably your best bet.

I'd agree. However, I would get in touch with the professor who gave you a B to feel him out. If it sounds like he's actually excited about writing you the letter, you could consider going for it.

[SBTC]

I'm bumping this because I want to get as many opinions as possible. My problem is that the professors I made A's in don't know me at all. How common is it to ask for LORs from professors who gave Bs? What would you do if you were in my shoes? I'm not at all comfortable asking recommendations from professors who don't even know who I am. By the way, I think the guy whose class I got a B in likes me. What should I do?

[inlovewithpiper]

Out of undergrad and I know I need at least one, preferably two, LORs from professors. Problem is, I didn't do too well in undergrad, terrible GPA, and the professor who knew me best only gave me a B. The very few As I got in undergrad were from professors who didn't know me/probably don't remember me. Is it unusual to ask a professor for a recommendation when you got a B in their class? What should I do?

For how long?

If you've been out for quite some time, supervisor LORs are usually fine.

[SBTC]

I graduated over a year ago. Not enough distance to not have an academic reference, I don't think.

[runthetrap]

this is tricky. if you think one of the professors who gave you a B would write you a strong recommendation (even explain, to your favor, why they didn't give you an A), then go for it. but if those professors are going to be lukewarm or even cool about you as a (potential law) student, their recommendations might actually hurt you. i'd say go with professors who seem like they would be most willing to help you out and write you as positive a recommendation they can - ie. the ones who like you best. even if they gave you Bs, maybe getting back in touch w them or getting a cup of coffee w them will persuade them that you're a better student than they gave you credit for - or at the least, you'll make a good law student. i'd say this is a better course of action than asking a professor who doesn't know / care about you to write a recommendation, just because they gave you an A.
this is purely opinion, though, and the different aspects of your application will have a pretty big bearing on how you want to approach this. if you're using your personality / character as a bigger selling point, it will be more important that your recommenders can speak to it. good luck!