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One of my math professors recently agreed to write a general use LOR for me following the completion of one of her courses. I went to every one of her office hours and got an A+ in the class, which was on quantitive reasoning. Would this still be a worthwhile LOR even though I obviously didn't write any papers for her class?

Yeah why not? She can speak about your work ethic and dedication to do well in school. More than likely your LOR will not include your math abilities in depth, but more of a general sense of how hard you worked in her class.

This is absolutely fine, and in a way, could make you stand out (a tiny bit) to an admissions reader.

What was the math class? If it was a proof-based course like real analysis, algebra, topology, etc. then the prof would have read your proofs - which require a style of writing more similar to legal writing (from what I understand) than, say, a history paper.

Edit: not sure what "quantitative reasoning" is (too vague to be meaningful) but sounds like probably not a proof-based class

Doubting Law wrote:One of my math professors recently agreed to write a general use LOR for me following the completion of one of her courses. I went to every one of her office hours and got an A+ in the class, which was on quantitive reasoning. Would this still be a worthwhile LOR even though I obviously didn't write any papers for her class?

Yes, absolutely. If you did well in the class and she knows you well, then she'll write a strong recommendation. Whether or not she graded essays of yours isn't really important - what matters is that she knows what you're capable of as a student.

theconsigliere wrote:What was the math class? If it was a proof-based course like real analysis, algebra, topology, etc. then the prof would have read your proofs - which require a style of writing more similar to legal writing (from what I understand) than, say, a history paper.

Edit: not sure what "quantitative reasoning" is (too vague to be meaningful) but sounds like probably not a proof-based class

Guy has no clue what he's talking about and talks anyway.

Anyhow, go ahead and use the professor's recommendation. I used an econometrics/real number theory guy for mine and was pleased with the results. Very few undergrad professors will be able to speak to your legal writing potential because very few know anything about law. Most recommendations focus more on work ethic, general analytical ability, and you as a person. You have a good relationship with a professor who can speak directly to your analytical ability. Use him.

Absolutely.

One of my letters is from my favorite college course, differential equations (or calculus IV).
Initially, I requested a LOR from my professor when she didn't know me that well,
which she got around to, but openly told me to ask for letters from those who knew me better,
but by the end of the semester, we became well acquainted (even went over to her house for a class dinner),
so she ended up writing me a (hopefully) strong LOR without hesitation. Real MVP.

I had two LORs from math professors.

Why general use rec? Maybe tell her some of the things that admission committees look for in a potential law student, such as diligence, critical thinking skills, ability to juggle multiple variables. If the rec is targeted at law school admissions committees, it will be more compelling.

whatwhatinthebutt wrote:

theconsigliere wrote:What was the math class? If it was a proof-based course like real analysis, algebra, topology, etc. then the prof would have read your proofs - which require a style of writing more similar to legal writing (from what I understand) than, say, a history paper.

Edit: not sure what "quantitative reasoning" is (too vague to be meaningful) but sounds like probably not a proof-based class

Guy has no clue what he's talking about and talks anyway.

Anyhow, go ahead and use the professor's recommendation. I used an econometrics/real number theory guy for mine and was pleased with the results. Very few undergrad professors will be able to speak to your legal writing potential because very few know anything about law. Most recommendations focus more on work ethic, general analytical ability, and you as a person. You have a good relationship with a professor who can speak directly to your analytical ability. Use him.

Had two math profs write recommendations and got pretty good results. Didn't necessarily say that math professors would be able to speak to legal writing ability. But both of my writers commented positively on my writing. And several admissions interviewers told me that they find math proofs to be good prep for legal writing. Sorry if you were a history major or something like that. I was just going off what I heard from admissions people from Duke and Chicago