Choice between recommenders Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am torn between two recomenders for my third letter. On one hand, I have one professor who I took for a seminar and I got the highest grade in the class. However, he is a bit harsh in class and we have some pretty strong political/moral disagreements. Additionally, I am taking another one of his classes this semester, and I feel like we are not always on the same page. On the other hand, I have an extremely nice professor who gave me an A in a 60 lecture-style class. However, I did not go to office hours and—while I think this professor would give a good effort at writing a LOR—I question of whether it would come off as too inpersonal.

My first two recommenders are above average, with one being extremely strong.

Anyone have thoughts?

[polareagle]

I am torn between two recomenders for my third letter. On one hand, I have one professor who I took for a seminar and I got the highest grade in the class. However, he is a bit harsh in class and we have some pretty strong political/moral disagreements. Additionally, I am taking another one of his classes this semester, and I feel like we are not always on the same page. On the other hand, I have an extremely nice professor who gave me an A in a 60 lecture-style class. However, I did not go to office hours and—while I think this professor would give a good effort at writing a LOR—I question of whether it would come off as too inpersonal.

My first two recommenders are above average, with one being extremely strong.

Anyone have thoughts?

Are the first two letters from professors? That could affect the answer. (A bland third letter for judges who require three should be fine. Alternately, you could get one from someone you worked with.)

If you *need* this professor letter, I'd just out and ask the potential disagreement professor if he would be willing to write a letter for you and feels that he could right a strong letter. Worst that could happen is he says no and then you know the answer. If he's noncommittal, I'd likewise go elsewhere. You may find that he's enthusiastic, and unless he's a sadist, it'll probably be a good letter. Some professors really like the people with whom they have strong, principled disagreements.

[Anonymous User]

First two letters are from my 1L professors. One is a prof I have worked with on a ton of projects and knows me very well. The other is a prof who I got along well with and is known for writing good letters. I am think I play this one safe, and go with the prof who I know will write my a solid (if nondescript) letter.

[stoopkid13]

First two letters are from my 1L professors. One is a prof I have worked with on a ton of projects and knows me very well. The other is a prof who I got along well with and is known for writing good letters. I am think I play this one safe, and go with the prof who I know will write my a solid (if nondescript) letter.

Idk if OP has already committed one way, but to the extent other are facing a similar dilemma, I echo polareagles advice to reach out to the professor you disagree with.

Having a professor disagree with you, however strongly, isn't a bad thing. You got the highest grade in the class, so as much as the professor may disagree with your views, he/she doesn't think you are an idiot. Judges want clerks who will give honest, well-reasoned opinions. I think this professor could write a very persuasive letter to that end, assuming the professor is interested in writing a letter in the first place and doesn't find you personally disagreeable. Some of the best letters I remember reading included things like "the student pointed out issues I hadn't considered" or "the students paper challenged my own thinking about X doctrine."

Also, getting a letter from a professor who gave you an "A" may feel like "playing it safe," but IME its not. I think most applicants either underestimate how common these types of letters are, or overestimate how much they move the ball on whether you get an interview. I understand you feel confidant with your other letters, but if a judge asks for three letters, you should expect other applicants to submit three strong letters.

[mjb447]

Yeah, I'd definitely inquire further with the prof you disagree with before you do anything else. He gave you the highest grade in a seminar class, which probably means (1) he's willing to be objective and support you in things that matter and doesn't think whatever disagreements you have are disqualifying and (2) he's interacted with you fairly closely (by law school class standards) and has apparently enjoyed it, which is a useful thing for a recommender to be able to say. If most of what the lecture professor can really say about you is, "anon got an A in my class," it's not really doing anything your transcript isn't already doing, and it's not a good letter.