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Some background: I'm attempting a transfer. I did very well in one of my classes. I am not incredibly close with the professor, but I spoke and volunteered a lot in class.

I just emailed her about her writing one for me. She first asked why, but she seems to want to write it after I gave her an explanation. However, she asked for my personal statement, transcript, and resume. No other professor has ever asked for this information from me when I asked them for a Letter of Rec.

Is this normal? It seems a bit inappropriate. Thinking about biting the bullet and sending the stuff because I have nothing to hide, but it just seems like an invasion of privacy.

No, it's normal. It means that the prof wants to know more about you, so they can write a more compelling LOR.

Yep, totally normal.

Much appreciated guys.

I can see how the personal statement would help her write about me, but asking for a transcript is normal, too? That's what got me most uncomfortable. Like I said, I'm not hiding anything, I just can't think of reason why she'd need it.

I sent it regardless, by the way. I'd be stupid not to. That was a tough class and I worked my ass off to do well (plus it's weighted pretty heavily).

lawstudent2999 wrote:Much appreciated guys.

I can see how the personal statement would help her write about me, but asking for a transcript is normal, too? That's what got me most uncomfortable. Like I said, I'm not hiding anything, I just can't think of reason why she'd need it.

I sent it regardless, by the way. I'd be stupid not to. That was a tough class and I worked my ass off to do well (plus it's weighted pretty heavily).

Yes, normal.

lawstudent2999 wrote:Much appreciated guys.

I can see how the personal statement would help her write about me, but asking for a transcript is normal, too? That's what got me most uncomfortable. Like I said, I'm not hiding anything, I just can't think of reason why she'd need it.

I sent it regardless, by the way. I'd be stupid not to. That was a tough class and I worked my ass off to do well (plus it's weighted pretty heavily).

Likely because their reputation is on the line anytime they recommend someone. I'd want to know that what I was saying was true as well.

I don't think it's normal, but I don't think it's completely unexpected either. It's probably up to their discretion and since you're the one asking for a LOR, you'll either have to go along with it or find another professor.

stillwun wrote:I don't think it's normal, but I don't think it's completely unexpected either. It's probably up to their discretion and since you're the one asking for a LOR, you'll either have to go along with it or find another professor.

I don't have any experience with transfer applications. But when it comes to professors writing LORs in support of clerkship applications, it's pretty much expected that the applicant will provide a resume and transcript to the professor.

No reason to be cagey about this. It's 100% normal.

rpupkin wrote:

stillwun wrote:I don't think it's normal, but I don't think it's completely unexpected either. It's probably up to their discretion and since you're the one asking for a LOR, you'll either have to go along with it or find another professor.

I don't have any experience with transfer applications. But when it comes to professors writing LORs in support of clerkship applications, it's pretty much expected that the applicant will provide a resume and transcript to the professor.

This was my experience with clerkship LORs as well.

I did also have the transfer experience, so I can comment on that specifically: I only got one prof to write me a transfer LOR and she knew me well, knew why I was transferring (which was the content of my personal statement), and I provided a copy of my resume when I asked her to write it. I don't think I provided her with a transcript, but since my GPA (on my resume) was commensurate my performance in her class, she basically had that info too.

Here's another (more specific) anecdote - when I was a prof and wrote LORs for people, I always asked for transcripts and personal statements.

stillwun wrote:I don't think it's normal, but I don't think it's completely unexpected either. It's probably up to their discretion and since you're the one asking for a LOR, you'll either have to go along with it or find another professor.

It was normal for me when I asked professors to write clerkship letters and transfer letters. I wouldn't think anything of it, OP.