<p>So when applying to college, I came from a big public school and my teachers were waaaaay too busy to write a great, glowing letter of recommendation (thank you California for underfunding education so we have huge classes!). Thankfully, my application was strong enough so that it didn't matter, and I'm at the school of my dreams. However, I still pause and wonder how big of a role letters of recommendation had in schools I was rejected from.</p>
<p>This time around, I want it to be different for law school. I go to a top 10 private school, so I have an easier time getting to know professors. However, I still don't know the best strategy to ask for a good letter of recommendation-- and to get one. Besides the obvious--get to know a professor during office hours, be an absolutely amazing student in class so they remember you-- what are some strategies? I'm a little uncertain, because how well can a professor know you after only one semester of classes held twice, three times a week?</p>
<p>See your law school advisor so that you know how the recommendation process is set up at your school.</p>
<p>At my D's school the students are responsible for setting up a credentials file with career services and professors can drop letters in and then they are sent to the respective schools.</p>
<p>Take more than one class with a prof you really like.</p>
<p>Talk during class discussions. During any semester, there are going to be a few moments when a prof is obviously desperate to get someone to say something--the class just isn't responding. Be the student who raises his hand at that point and says something. </p>
<p>Get a job--or just volunteer--to do research for them. </p>
<p>Ask them a REAL question after a class discussion via email. </p>
<p>If they make comments on your papers or your exams that you don't understand, go in and ask what they mean. </p>
<p>Many colleges have weekly lunches for faculty and students in each department. Attend. Others have outside speakers--attend the lectures. Ask questions. Still others have programs where dorms or houses invite faculty to eat lunch or dinner at the dorm. Suggest that a prof you like be invited and go to the lunch or dinner. Get other students who are interested in the field to attend, so that the prof shows up to a full table .</p>
<p>If there are student/faculty committees--there are at many schools--sign up for them.</p>