A short introduction
Your name, academic program, expected graduation, career interests, and the purpose of the recommendation.
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Help them write
with specificity.
A recommendation packet gives your recommender useful context without attempting to write the letter for them.
View packet parts ↓Your recommender may know one important part of you. The packet helps them see the larger picture—and remember the details only they can describe.
Suggested order
Six parts of a useful packet.
Your connection
Name the course, role, project, or experience you shared. Remind them of specific work, feedback, growth, or contributions they personally observed.
Résumé
Attach a current résumé so the recommender can understand your wider academic, professional, leadership, service, and employment experience.
Application context
List the schools or programs, your general goals, and qualities you hope the application communicates. Do not tell the recommender what conclusions to write.
Deadlines and directions
Use a simple table with each school, due date, submission method, and any school-specific instructions.
Supporting materials
Include a draft personal statement, unofficial transcript if useful, and a relevant paper or project. Share only materials that help this recommender write specifically.
Connection reminder
Give them details
they can recognize.
Less useful
“I worked hard in your class and would appreciate a strong recommendation.”
More useful“I took your Constitutional Law seminar in Spring 2026. My final paper examined language access in municipal government, and your feedback helped me distinguish policy recommendations from legal claims. I later applied that lesson while drafting a City Council policy memo.”
Deadline tracker
Make the logistics unmistakable.
Put the earliest deadline at the top and note that recommendations are submitted directly through LSAC or the school—not returned to the applicant.
School or programDeadlineSubmission notes
Example Law SchoolNov. 15LSAC CAS
Second SchoolDec. 1LSAC CAS
Sample follow-up email
Keep the message short.
Dear Professor [Name],
Thank you again for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation for my law school applications. I have attached a short packet with my résumé, application goals, reminders of our work together, and a deadline list. My earliest deadline is [date]. Please let me know if any additional information would be helpful.
With appreciation,
[Your name]
Before sending
Final packet check
□ Clear file name□ Current résumé□ Earliest deadline highlighted□ School instructions verified□ Attachments open correctly□ Thank-you message included
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