LOR-Community College Forum

[ChrisW]

I took time off from school and have been attending community college this past year, and I will be returning to a 4-year to graduate in '15. I want to apply to law school this fall, so I'm wondering how schools will view my LORs if they are both written by community college professors. The classes are American Government and Public Speaking. I got A's in both classes, my Am. Gov. professor said I would make a good lawyer, and my P.S. professor loves me and is a Georgetown alumni, but I'm just concerned about the classes being taught at a community college. What do you think?

[paayter]

i dont think its really going to hurt you one bit. i went to cc as well, and got one of my cc professors to write me a recommendation. as long as this professor knows you well enough to speak to your qualities, you're fine. lors really arent weighted much...you want to avoid lor issues, make sure you get the target lsat and gpa you're target schools are looking for. i actually got to know my cc professors a lot better than my 4 year institution professors.

[paul554]

I received a LOR from my CC professor and one from my undergrad professor. Both of them actually sent me a copy for my records as well. They both listed the class I attended and such but neither actually listed the college or university. Realistically, there is no reason to actually list the college or university, so I doubt an admissions office will really be looking for this.

[AT9]

I had a CC LOR from a public speaking instructor, and I punched above my numbers this cycle. I highly doubt it will hurt.

[ChrisW]

Cool, thanks.

[Nonconsecutive]

Just adding that I had a CC LOR as well, didn't hurt me in the least.

[hcrimson2014]

Won't hurt at all unless you are in contention for Yale.

[TLSanders]

The only way I can see that this might be perceived negatively is if you'd been back at the four-year school for quite a while and were reaching back for CC recommendations instead of using recent professors. It doesn't sound like the time frame will work out that way, so you should be fine. In fact, your CC professors may well write better letters (in terms of how well formulated the letter is, not how positive it is), since they may be less time-pressured and know you better than a large university professor might.