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How important are references? I'm a 1L applying to public interest jobs (DAs, probation, police departments).

Unfortunately I have no professor references, just 2 reference names (no letters) from past jobs (not law related). Is this going to screw me?

I'm just a 1L too, so I wouldn't know how important they are. But I do know my writing instructor told us that her phone's been ringing off the hook since we all gave her as a reference. So, they definitely are calling her.

Is it possible to give someone who knows you a bit better, like a writing instructor, as a reference?

I never really went to my writing instructors office hours last semester (I know stupid) but she is nice and would probably give me a reference. The problem is I have a career fair that I am attending tomorrow.

So email her today and ask if it's okay to list her as a reference. She's uniquely able to speak to your writing abilities, so even though you never went to her office hours, it doesn't matter.

I did not use professorial references and it worked out fine for me. Unless specified, I do not think it would matter much, esp. for a 1L job.

cinephile wrote:So email her today and ask if it's okay to list her as a reference. She's uniquely able to speak to your writing abilities, so even though you never went to her office hours, it doesn't matter.

I got one of the lowest marks in the class.

Anonymous User wrote:

cinephile wrote:So email her today and ask if it's okay to list her as a reference. She's uniquely able to speak to your writing abilities, so even though you never went to her office hours, it doesn't matter.

I got one of the lowest marks in the class.

Well, maybe you'll make a miraculous improvement this semester and can list her or another professor when applying this summer/fall.