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SnakySalmon wrote:TCR seems to be that it's really important to have at least one academic LOR. Addcomms want to know how you are as a student, not a worker.

Is this prof really your only option for an academic LOR?

iamgeorgebush wrote:ATTN OP:

how many years out of UG are you? this will make a big difference. if it's just one or two years, most schools will expect you to have two academic LORs, and you should not fall short of that. if it's more like five years, one academic LOR is probably fine.

but no matter what, you should check the website of each school to which you're applying to see what they request. some schools are more insistent on academic LORs than others.

jscott324 wrote:

iamgeorgebush wrote:ATTN OP:

how many years out of UG are you? this will make a big difference. if it's just one or two years, most schools will expect you to have two academic LORs, and you should not fall short of that. if it's more like five years, one academic LOR is probably fine.

but no matter what, you should check the website of each school to which you're applying to see what they request. some schools are more insistent on academic LORs than others.

I graduated Dec. 2012. So, yeah...

"Dear Professor Smith,

You might not remember me, but I took your History of Science class in the spring of 2011. I am now applying to law school, and I was wondering if you would be able to write me a recommendation.

I realize that I only took one class with you and that our personal interaction was limited, but this has been true pretty much across the board for me, leaving me with few professors who know me really well. I really enjoyed (and, I believe, excelled in) your class, though, and I would be honored to have you write my recommendation. Please feel absolutely free to say no if you wouldn't be able to write me a strong recommendation, though.

Sincerely,
jscott324"

iamgeorgebush wrote:

jscott324 wrote:

iamgeorgebush wrote:ATTN OP:

how many years out of UG are you? this will make a big difference. if it's just one or two years, most schools will expect you to have two academic LORs, and you should not fall short of that. if it's more like five years, one academic LOR is probably fine.

but no matter what, you should check the website of each school to which you're applying to see what they request. some schools are more insistent on academic LORs than others.

I graduated Dec. 2012. So, yeah...

then you should definitely get two academic LORs. two years out of UG is not that much time.

as regards the disbarred prof, i kind of doubt that adcoms would look up your prof's bar status, but this is not a question i'm qualified to answer. try asking the spivey thread, maybe.

at any rate, there are often profs who didn't know you you well but would still be willing to write you recos. the key is to make sure you give them an out when you ask. something like:

"Dear Professor Smith,

You might not remember me, but I took your History of Science class in the spring of 2011. I am now applying to law school, and I was wondering if you would be able to write me a recommendation.

I realize that I only took one class with you and that our personal interaction was limited, but this has been true pretty much across the board for me, leaving me with few professors who know me really well. I really enjoyed (and, I believe, excelled in) your class, though, and I would be honored to have you write my recommendation. Please feel absolutely free to say no if you wouldn't be able to write me a strong recommendation, though.

Sincerely,
jscott324"

needless to say, you should have gotten an A in that class