Weight of open letter v closed letter

[jared.xu]

Hello,

I have a question regarding a Virtual Module that Dave Killoran and Anne Chaconas did together entitled Admissions Components. While discussing letters of recommendations, Anne mentioned how it might be a good idea to help our recommenders write the letters and to read it after they have written it. Would an open letter generally lose its weight in the eyes of the admissions officer?

Thank you in advance for replying,
Jared

[Anne Chaconas]

Hi Jared,

I'm glad to answer your question. Firstly, let me thank you for listening to our modules! I hope you have found them useful.

To start, I'd like to just make one clarification (just in case it wasn't clear in the module): When I mention that it can be useful to assist your recommenders in writing and editing your letters of recommendation, at no point do I mean that you should write the letters for them. Some recommenders may ask you to write the letter for them (and then just have them sign it), since they are too busy with other endeavors/letters to write the letters themselves; if that's something that happens to you, I would suggest you find another recommender, since it's obvious that this particular one doesn't have the time or inclination to write you a truly personal, impactful letter. Writing the letter yourself is a huge misstep.

Regarding your specific questions, though: Whether the letter is open or closed is not something that the schools to which you will apply will know, unless the recommender specifically addresses that in the letter (and I don't see any reason for why they would). It is also not something that is asked in the LOR Form provided by LSAC that should accompany the letter. Therefore, there will be no positive or adverse effect on your letter in the eyes of an admission officer.

Let me clarify further: When I mention that students should attempt to provide writing and reading assistance to their recommenders, it is in a very limited capacity. The kind of writing assistance students provide should be limited to giving their recommender copies of their personal statement, any major paper written for their class, their résumé, and a conversation in which they detail the points that they would like if the recommender could address (all of these points, of course, being things that the applicant has actually done, and nothing fabricated). The "reading" assistance, if the recommender accedes to it, should be limited to ensuring that the recommender has incoporated everything the applicant originally suggested be included.

Most recommenders will not want the latter, although many are thankful for the former.

In any case, regarding your question: Since law schools would never be made privy to the knowledge that the letter was written with the limited assistance of the candidate, it should not affect the content or merit of the letter in the least.

I hope this helped clarify and answer your query!

Best of luck in the admissions process.

[jared.xu]

Hi Anne,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. It is extremely helpful. But I have one more question. If, as you said, most recommenders will not want us to provide “reading” assistance, what do you think are good ways to request to see the letter? Or should we not offer to provide “reading” assistance at all unless the recommender brings up the topic herself? I think that by asking to see the letter, we might convey a sense that we do not fully trust the recommender. Thank you in advance for your reply.

Gratefully,
Jared

[Anne Chaconas]

Hi Jared,

The only way to ask to see the letter is to ask to see the letter.

"Would it be possible for me to read/see the letter before you mail it out?"
"Let me know if you would like me to read the letter before you finalize it."
"If you would like editing assistance with the letter, just let me know."

Really, any way works well. As I said, most recommenders will probably not accede to letting you read/edit it, but trying to be indirect about the request to read it is probably not the best way to go. Simply ask. If they're willing, they'll let you read it. If they're not, then they won't. Whether you convey a sense of mistrust in the recommender is really not something you can control, unless your delivery of the request indicates mistrust (and it shouldn't, if you trust your recommender). Just be earnest and honest about your request, and hope for the best. If you choose recommenders with whom you are close and familiar, it is likely to be taken as exactly what it is--a request to read the read the letter--and nothing more.

Best of luck!