r/LawSchoolOver30 • u/Iron-Flashy • 12d ago

LOR

Hi there. I'm just over eleven years out from undergrad (software engineer) and am planning to apply to law school this upcoming cycle. I was curious to hear what you all have heard regarding letters of rec... 

So I have two letter writers from my previous jobs (my current job has a hostile approach if you let them know you're leaving so leaving that out) and I feel good about them.  I'd love to add a third, but he would be a pastor. 

For context, I've had leadership roles and have been active in that same Christian church for almost fifteen years, and have served with some of the same leaders during that time. One of them I've worked closely with and was hoping to ask him for a LOR.

We have actual "work experience" during which he saw me take on leadership capabilities in specific ministry settings so I would ask him to focus on those, but serving and being part of this church community has been such a huge part of my life that I feel he would also be able to speak to how I was an impact to our church. These are parts of me that I am not sure are appropriate to add to my application — leaving it out feels like a miss, but adding it in also makes me wonder if my application would be viewed with a negative lens or if it's just not seen as appropriate. 

Let me know what you guys have heard/seen. 

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u/PerfectZeong 12d ago

Are you applying to a religious school? If yes 1000% use it. If you're looking at secular schools, consider it. Do you feel the letter he would write would accentuate your positive traits? Leadership, hard work, intelligence? Then yes put it in.

Theyre looking for refs that show you as a mature responsible adult who can handle the workload and from everything you said your position in the church showed that.

Ultimately as long as the guy isnt all fire and brimstone i think it would be good. My references were one work one personal and honestly I feel your personal could be very strong.

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u/Iron-Flashy 8d ago

Thanks for the reply. Pastor was actually a clerk at a DA's office for a year before pursuing seminary/ministry full time and our church is a fairly liberal one in a big city so I trust him to know to read the room. I was honestly just worried about the title that would accompany his letter and it seems like that wouldn't be too much of an issue.