Whom should I ask for recommendations?
Because you are applying to an academic program, your most effective recommendations will come from faculty who know your work well and who have had the opportunity to watch you develop over time. You will want at least one faculty recommendation. We recommend that you meet with him/her individually to discuss your plans. Bring the following to the meeting:
- copy of a paper you've written for a class taught by the professor
- rough draft of your resume or activities list
- rough draft of your personal statement (optional)
Other possible recommenders may include employers or supervisors from internships or volunteer work. Personal recommendations (friends, family, clergy, etc.) or those from politicians who do not know you well are the least effective.
What do I do if my professors don't know me well?
It is important to keep in mind that academic references are preferred, so you'll need at least one. If you are not yet a senior, think about connecting with your professors in such a way that when it comes time to request recommendations you can easily identify faculty to ask. You can do this by taking several courses with the same faculty member, speaking out in class, and making use of office hours.
If you are a senior who has not established these types of connections, identify a faculty member in whose class you have done well, and set up a meeting to discuss your plans and to ask if he/she would be willing to write a letter of recommendation in support of those plans. A teaching assistant who knows your work well might be a good alternative. You will then need to rely on other sources (employers, supervisors, etc.) for the remainder of your recommendations.
How many recommendations do I need?
You will need to provide the school with as many recommendations as they request. Plan on two to three. If you have more recommendations than requested, they are strong, and introduce information about you not covered in the others, you may consider sending in one extra. Or, you may decide to hold back that extra, strong recommendation should you be wait listed. This will give the admissions committee new information about you and may strengthen your candidacy.
If you choose to "waive your rights," you have given up the option to read/review a particular recommendation. Whether or not to waive your rights is a discussion which you may want to have directly with your recommenders. Admissions committees STRONGLY PREFER that you do waive your rights. Brandeis faculty have voiced differing opinions about what they think is best.
What is Hiatt's credential service?
If you choose you may keep your recommendations on file with the Hiatt Career Center. At your request and for a small fee, we will then send copies of your recommendations to graduate/professional schools or employers. More information about our credentials service is available in Hiatt. If you are using Hiatt's credential service, you do not need to use the recommendation forms included in the school's applications. You can provide your recommenders with one form that they can fill out and return to the Hiatt Career Center eliminating the need to fill out individual forms for each of the schools to which you are applying. However, if you want the recommendations sent to LSDAS, you must include the I-9 form from LSDAS with the recommendation.
S hould I send my recommendations through Law Services?
You'll need to do what the schools ask you to do however the vast majority of schools will accept recommendations through LSDAS. Make sure to read each application carefully for the school's individual preference. Important things to consider regarding recommendations are:
- Law Services can only accept three recommendations
- Law Services will send all of the recommendations to every school to which you apply
- Law Services will not accept school specific letters.