The number of letters of recommendation required by each school will vary; however, regardless of the number required, you will want to be certain that at least one of the letters you provide is from a faculty member at Oakland University. You are, after all, applying to schools. The committee charged with deciding whether or not to admit you will want to know that you will be able to handle the academic challenges of law school. When you ask a faculty member to write a letter of recommendation for you, they may wish to meet with you to discuss your goals and aspirations. They may also wish to see your transcripts or a recent resume. It is to your benefit to cooperate and provide whatever is requested of you. The more specific and detailed the letter of recommendation is, the more effective it will be.

Other sources for letters of recommendation include academic advisers, employers, or supervisors; bear in mind, however, that what law schools want to hear about is the skills you possess that will help you succeed in law school. Explanations of your outstanding personal qualities are less useful to admissions committees than testimonies of your analytical, writing, or academic skills.

The Law School Admissions Council, or LSAC, provides a letter of recommendation service that can assist you through the process of obtaining and submitting letters to the schools you would like to apply to. For more information on this service, visit www.lsac.org.