Letters of Recommendation - Two writers on one letter?

mpiechota5

Hi all,

I have a question regarding my letters of recommendation. I work as a paralegal at a small law firm, for two partners (husband and wife) who work very closely with each other and myself on pretty much everything. When I asked them to write letters of recommendation for me, they suggested writing one letter together rather than two separate letters. I did some research and have read that this is not recommended. However, I also feel that two letters from each of them may turn out to be redundant.

I should also note that I've been out of college since 2021, so I feel I'd be too far removed to ask a professor for a letter.

Has anyone encountered this before? Any advice on how to go forward?

Thank you!

firstgen.lawtina

I agree that a separate letter from each of them may be redundant and overall less effective for your application. Although generally this may not be recommended/is uncommon, I think it makes sense given your specific context for them to write a jointly signed letter! Since you work very closely with them, at a small firm, and since they are partners at the firm & partners in their relationship! Just note that/as an FYI, when you submit a request on LSAC, you will only fill out the name & contact information for one of them, not both. Only one of your recommenders will receive an email from LSAC inviting them to submit the recommendation. However, if you want to clearly communicate that it is a joint letter, then the actual letter can be signed by both of them and contain both of their contact information.

Although you've graduated in 2021, law schools strongly recommend letters of recommendation from your professors. I recommend reaching out to your professors to catch up (even if it's over the phone or Zoom), updating them about your law school plans, and asking if they'd be able to write you a strong recommendation. You can offer to provide them a "tip sheet" of information that you think would be helpful for them to reference as they prepare their letter---sort of like refreshing their memory and encouraging them to highlight specific points. Admissions officers even recommend that you do this for your recommenders. I think your professors would be more willing to write the letter too.

Here's a tip sheet I found online: https://admissions.law.yale.edu/apply/LOR_Tip_Sheet.pdf
I'm sure there are others too; I just found this one very helpful! Wishing you the very best!