Question about LSAC LOR Service

[bjoffe123!]

Hi,

I have a question about how the LSAC would handle LORs in my circumstances. My current timetable is to graduate undergrad May 2023, submit apps ~Fall 2024, matriculate in Fall 2025. My question is can I receive a letter of recommendation, have my recommender upload it to LSAC say around Fall 2022, and then wait to use that letter for the Fall 2024 application cycle. Or would I need to receive, upload and submit a letter of recommendation a set certain amount of time before my desired application cycle, so Fall 2025 for it to be eligible for use?

Naturally, I would think that (msot) recommenders would be able to provide a more descriptive, elaborate recommendation fresh off of my experience with them, whether it be in a course or a research project, etc, so that's why I would acquire these letters as early as I can, have them sit in the LSAC LOR account for a few years, and send them out with my application when its time. Is there a flaw in my reasoning here/ is this possible?

I’d appreciate any help, and am glad to provide clarification on my situation.
Thanks!

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Hi bjoffe123!

Good news! Letter of recommendation stay as part of your LSAC file for the life of the file. So you can have your letters sent in for an earlier year than you plan on applying. You can just assign them to the relevant application whenever cycle you do apply.

That said, it's worth discussing with your potential letter writers what your plans are. They may prefer to write a letter and submit it now, or they may prefer to have an updated letter later. In general, you want to defer as much as possible to your letter writers, and give them the most options as possible.

Another consideration is that your planned time line is not that unusual. If you ask your letter writers in Fall of 2022, you may not even have their letters in the system until Spring of 2023. Those letters won't even be particularly old or dated.

A final consideration for you: since you aren't applying until after you finish school, make sure you have finished your impressive work with the letter writer before having the letter done. Often, a letter writer is someone who has had you in multiple classes, or supervised a major research project, or has had other repeated positive contact. If you ask for the letter before you have finished dazzling your writer with your awesomeness, your letter won't be as strong as it could have been. You don't have to wait until the very end of your relationship, but make sure you ask after they have seen your major contributions.

Hope that helps!

[bjoffe123!]

Thank you so much for your advice! That is all very helpful, and I really appreciate it.

Thanks!!