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I have two strong recommenders lined up, but I'm struggling to find a great fit for a third. Currently, I'm choosing between my fall clinical supervisor and a professor I TA'd for in the fall (but have not taken a class with). Both would likely be willing to write me a good letter, but I believe my TA professor's letter would be slightly stronger. Any substantial difference? Go with my gut? Thanks!

From my experience as a clerk reviewing applications, the difference between recommenders is marginal unless one is willing to make a call for you or knows the judge personally. Most LORs are pretty generic and won’t get you pulled from the pile, and we won’t read your LORs if your grades don’t meet the cutoff.

thisisathrowaway wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 13, 2026 11:36 pm

I have two strong recommenders lined up, but I'm struggling to find a great fit for a third. Currently, I'm choosing between my fall clinical supervisor and a professor I TA'd for in the fall (but have not taken a class with). Both would likely be willing to write me a good letter, but I believe my TA professor's letter would be slightly stronger. Any substantial difference? Go with my gut? Thanks!

Are the two recommenders you've decided on professors you've taken classes with, or work supervisors? If I were you I'd try to focus on who would be able to comment on an aspect not already addressed (for example, maybe your clinic supervisor can speak to your work ethic/collegiality/client service skills more, and maybe your TA professor can attest to your intellectual curiosity and legal knowledge), but it doesn't sound like you'll go wrong either way. Put differently, I wouldn't personally find it weird for a LOR to come from a professor you TAed for but didn't take a class with.