Reusing Older Letter of Rec? Forum

(Applications Advice, Letters of Recommendation . . . )
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Hornet2011

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Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by Hornet2011 » Sun Aug 16, 2015 4:09 pm

Hi all,

Quick question -- I applied last for law school during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 cycle. I sat both out because I had significantly greater opportunities outside of the TT law schools I would have been attending. I have taken seriously to reapplying this cycle (166 in June, retaking October) and am on a likely T14 w/ scholarships or bust route as it would be foolish to step away from my current career otherwise.

Anyhow, I have in the CRS all my old letters of recommendation which I believe are very strong. I would most likely use the ones from the 2011-2012 cycle. All the letters of recommendation are from undergraduate professors even though I have 2 MAs from Ivies. I could obviously reach out to them, but I think it might look odd considering I haven't talked to them in 2+ years and sold out of the PhD track in order to go to a F500 when I was on full fellowship etc and they were pulling strings to have me go to a top PhD program in my field.

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Abraham Lincoln Uni.

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by Abraham Lincoln Uni. » Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:26 pm

In terms of reusing letters of recommendation, it should not be a problem especially if you are submitting more recent LSAT scores, revising your supplemental application, as well as personal statement. If you feel a current employer or a more recent professor could write you a a stronger letter of recommendation, you may also acquire one from them. Overall, it should not be of concern so long as you are not sending an identical application when compared to previous years.

071816

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by 071816 » Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:26 pm

[quote="Abraham Lincoln Uni."]In terms of reusing letters of recommendation, it should not be a problem especially if you are submitting more recent LSAT scores, revising your supplemental application, as well as personal statement. If you feel a current employer or a more recent professor could write you a a stronger letter of recommendation, you may also acquire one from them. Overall, it should not be of concern so long as you are not sending an identical application when compared to previous years.[/quote]

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benwyatt

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Post by benwyatt » Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:36 pm

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Last edited by benwyatt on Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hornet2011

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by Hornet2011 » Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:42 pm

I am assuming the crossing out BenWyatt and Chimp means I should not listen to Abraham Lincoln's advice? Sorry if that seems obvious but I am not exactly up to date on forum lingo (despite being gone here since March). If so, are both of you recommending that I reach out to these past professors at grad school? I suppose the worst they could do is say no.

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swampman

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by swampman » Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:53 pm

Hornet2011 wrote:I am assuming the crossing out BenWyatt and Chimp means I should not listen to Abraham Lincoln's advice? Sorry if that seems obvious but I am not exactly up to date on forum lingo (despite being gone here since March). If so, are both of you recommending that I reach out to these past professors at grad school? I suppose the worst they could do is say no.
Personally, I think if you end up having to reuse one of the old ones it's not the end of the world (especially if it's much stronger than one you would get now), but it's going to look really bad if your only letters are from 5+ years ago, especially since you have more recent academic experience. Grab at least one from your grad school profs, and one from your employer if possible.

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landshoes

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by landshoes » Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:53 pm

My letters are from 2006ish, and I don't think it hurt me at all. But I didn't have more recent academic experience.

Frankly, though, I think that you should reach out to your old profs and just ask if they think they can give you a strong letter of recommendation. If any of them seem happy to hear from you and agree to do it, then there you go.

I hate asking for letters of recommendation, but ultimately, lots of people drop out of grad school, and I think that at least some of your professors will realize that grad school/academia isn't for everyone.

071816

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by 071816 » Fri Aug 28, 2015 2:50 pm

Hornet2011 wrote:I am assuming the crossing out BenWyatt and Chimp means I should not listen to Abraham Lincoln's advice? Sorry if that seems obvious but I am not exactly up to date on forum lingo (despite being gone here since March). If so, are both of you recommending that I reach out to these past professors at grad school? I suppose the worst they could do is say no.
I know nothing about letters of rec. I just wanted to emphasize that the Abraham Lincoln University account is a CANCER TO THESE FORA and should not be relied upon FOR ANY REASON.

Hornet2011

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Re: Reusing Older Letter of Rec?

Post by Hornet2011 » Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:20 am

Thanks everyone. I sent out emails to the two profs I was closest with and am going to follow up with one of the directors I worked closely with who is discrete (would not be good for future promotions if I ended up not going to law school and people knew I was looking elsewhere. Even though law school isn't exactly elsewhere). I know the director will come through and we will see about the profs

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