very avg teacher's rec for the top law schools.. chances? Forum

[buzzbee]

Hi guys,

I go to a large school (although it is one of the top ones in the nation) so there's usually not too much interactions with professors. I also don't go to OH's that much, so I don't know my professors well at all. I have 3 leadership positions (vp's of clubs) and some legal internships and a few job experiences. My life circumstance could also be considered unusual because I've gone through some hardships. GPA: 3.92 (upward trend, since I got some B's and B-'s freshman year) LSAT: 175

Do I have a shot at Harvard and Stanford? Yale's probably out of my league, so I'm not going to bother. I'm just concerned because my ec's seem a bit too average for the top schools and I'm not sure how good my recs will be either... Perhaps Stanford's out too

What do you guys think? Would I have ANY shot at these top three?

[Philo38]

Hi guys,

I go to a large school (although it is one of the top ones in the nation) so there's usually not too much interactions with professors. I also don't go to OH's that much, so I don't know my professors well at all. I have 3 leadership positions (vp's of clubs) and some legal internships and a few job experiences. My life circumstance could also be considered unusual because I've gone through some hardships. GPA: 3.92 (upward trend, since I got some B's and B-'s freshman year) LSAT: 175

Do I have a shot at Harvard and Stanford? Yale's probably out of my league, so I'm not going to bother. I'm just concerned because my ec's seem a bit too average for the top schools and I'm not sure how good my recs will be either... Perhaps Stanford's out too

What do you guys think? Would I have ANY shot at these top three?

I would say you have a good shot at HS and a bit less of a shot at Yale. I don't think that average LORs are going to derail an otherwise stellar application. Its mostly all about the numbers anyway, and you have the numbers that is th eimportant part.

[jks289]

Hi guys,

I go to a large school (although it is one of the top ones in the nation) so there's usually not too much interactions with professors. I also don't go to OH's that much, so I don't know my professors well at all. I have 3 leadership positions (vp's of clubs) and some legal internships and a few job experiences. My life circumstance could also be considered unusual because I've gone through some hardships. GPA: 3.92 (upward trend, since I got some B's and B-'s freshman year) LSAT: 175

Do I have a shot at Harvard and Stanford? Yale's probably out of my league, so I'm not going to bother. I'm just concerned because my ec's seem a bit too average for the top schools and I'm not sure how good my recs will be either... Perhaps Stanford's out too

What do you guys think? Would I have ANY shot at these top three?

Why don't you schedule a lunch appointment with one of your professors. Let them read your personal statement and maybe write them a very specific letter about your goals, what you learned in their class, etc. Also give them papers you wrote for them. I think you'll find professors to be receptive if your efforts and they may write you a more personal rec as a result. I think even if you get a generic rec, with those numbers you have a shot at any of HYS.

[englawyer]

virtual auto-admit at Harvard. all you need is average, just make sure they are not BELOW average. ask them if they are comfortable writing a positive LOR for you, something along those lines. a bad LOR can screw you but otherwise u are in great shape

[im_blue]

You have a great shot at Harvard, as long as your LORs don't say anything negative.

[HJO]

Talk to all your profs about your situation, also see if you can find any Harvard/Yale/Stanford alumni that you may have had as teachers and talk to them about what you are doing and let them know your stats/read your ps/etc. You never know how far a prof may be willing to for you. Also it would seem to be worth the $90 to throw an app at Yale, I really can't see why you wouldn't.

[Cavalier]

All you need are positive letters of recommendation. I went to a large state school, where I barely knew my professors. The professors I asked to write letters understood my situation and were more than happy to provide generic, "this is a good student" letters, even though they didn't know me beyond a good grade in a large lecture class and a few office visits.

[im_blue]

All you need are positive letters of recommendation. I went to a large state school, where I barely knew my professors. The professors I asked to write letters understood my situation and were more than happy to provide generic, "this is a good student" letters, even though they didn't know me beyond a good grade in a large lecture class and a few office visits.

Nice to see that UVA doesn't put too much weight into LORs, contrary to Jason Dugas's claims in his TLS interview, as long as they're positive.

[Cupidity]

Fuck HYS, Go to CCN for free.