Resumes and Recommendation Letters: The Quiet Powerhouses of Your Law School Application

In this next installment of our Becoming the Main Character of Your Law School Application series, we’re turning our attention to two often-overlooked components: resumes and letters of recommendation. While these elements may not be the “flashiest” part of your application, they’re foundational and should be approached strategically. 

Applying to law school is exciting—but let’s be real, it can also feel like a lot. Between the LSAT, the personal statement, and navigating deadlines, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and focus only on the big-ticket items. But there’s more to your application than just test scores, GPA, and a standout essay. Behind the scenes, your resume and letters of recommendation do just as much heavy lifting. They help fill in the gaps and give admissions committees a fuller sense of who you are and why law school is the right next step.

So, let’s talk about how to make these pieces shine.

The Law School Resume Is a Storytelling Tool

Don’t think of your resume as just paperwork. It’s often one of the first things admissions folks will look at, and it sets the stage for everything else. It can show how your interests have evolved, what you’ve invested time in, and the bigger picture of your journey.

What law schools really want is to understand you beyond the basics. As Dean Simmons, the Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at Howard University, emphasized, admissions readers want to see how your past experiences, time management, and commitments reflect your readiness for law school.

What Makes a Law School Resume Different From a Professional Resume?

This isn’t your typical job-hunting resume. Law school admissions committees are looking for a broader picture—your academic strengths, leadership, service, intellectual curiosity, commitment, hobbies, etc.

Here’s how to tailor yours:

• Lead with education: Always start with your academic background. Law schools are academic institutions, so this sets the tone.

• Skip the objective statement: Law school admissions committees already know your objective is to get into law school. They’re more interested in learning about your skills and experiences.

• Be specific with your time commitments: When describing your experiences, quantify the time you dedicated to them. For example, instead of just listing “Volunteer”, try “Volunteered 10 hours per week at a local animal shelter.” This gives admissions a greater understanding of your level of involvement and time commitments. 

• Show the real you: Don’t be afraid to include hobbies, special skills, or licenses—especially if they highlight discipline, curiosity, or unique perspectives. A love for snowboarding or a real estate license can help set you apart.

• Think twice about including high school achievements: Unless it directly ties into your current interests or accomplishments, you can probably leave it off.

• Address gaps honestly: If there were periods where you weren’t working or in school—due to illness, caregiving, or other life events—briefly note it. It shows maturity and gives context.

How Your Resume Supports Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement tells your story in your own voice. Your resume backs it up with evidence. If you write about your passion for advocacy, your resume should highlight things like debate club, volunteer work, research, or relevant coursework. You don’t need to repeat your personal statement—just make sure the two speak to each other.

The Secret to Strong Letters of Recommendation

A strong letter of recommendation doesn’t introduce a brand-new character into your story. It reinforces what the rest of your application already says about you. Ideally, it adds credibility, personality, and insight.

What Law Schools Want to See

Law schools want to know what kind of student—and person—you are. The best letters come from people who can speak to your intellectual ability, your work ethic, your curiosity, and your potential to thrive in a challenging academic environment.

Who Should You Ask?

• Prioritize academic letters: Especially if you graduated within the last five years, prioritize professors (or TAs who knew you well) who can talk about your academic work.

• Pick substance over prestige: It’s tempting to ask someone with an impressive title. But if they don’t know you well, the letter will come across as vague. A detailed, thoughtful letter from a professor who knows your work is far more valuable.

• Look for people who can tell a story: Great recommenders can share specific anecdotes that highlight your writing, thinking, collaboration, or leadership skills. Former internship supervisors or mentors can be good options too—especially if your work was relevant to law or public service.

• Don’t settle for a "meh" letter: If someone seems unsure or hesitant, it’s okay to move on. A lukewarm letter can hurt more than help.

How to Make It Easy for Them

Make your recommender’s life easier—and your letter stronger—by giving them helpful materials. This isn’t about scripting their letter; it’s about giving them context and reminders so they can write something meaningful.

Some helpful materials to give them may include:

• A copy of your resume

• A draft of your personal statement

• A list of schools you're applying to (with deadlines)

• Bullet points that remind them of your key experiences and strengths—especially those they’ve seen firsthand

Dean Simmons put it best: “Ask for what you want.” The more context you provide, the easier it is for someone to advocate for you powerfully.

Sample Email to Request a Letter of Recommendation

Before you ask someone for a letter, make it easy and comfortable for them to say yes—and to write it well. A thoughtful, well-organized email shows you respect their time and sets them up to write a letter that’s specific and strong. Below is a sample you can adapt, but make sure to personalize it so it reflects your voice and your relationship with the recommender.

Subject: Request for Law School Recommendation Letter

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out to ask if you’d be willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation for law school. I deeply valued your course on [Class Name] and appreciated your insights and support throughout the semester, particularly [insert reminder—e.g., our conversations during office hours or your feedback on my final paper].

I’ve attached the following materials to support your letter:

• A draft of my resume

• A draft of my personal statement

• A list of schools I’m applying to

• A few bullet points on what I hope the letter will highlight

If you're comfortable writing a letter that speaks to my potential for success in law school, I’d be incredibly grateful. I’d be happy to provide any additional information or set up a brief meeting to discuss.

Thank you again for your support and your time.

Warmly,

[Your Name]

Recommendation Checklist

Before you hit send, make sure you’ve included:

 ✅ Resume

 ✅ Personal statement (draft is fine)

 ✅ List of schools & deadlines

 ✅ Specific talking points or reminders

Bring It All Together

Every part of your law school application helps tell your story—so don’t overlook the resume and recommendation letters. These aren’t just side documents or formalities. Your resume shows what you’ve been working toward. Your rec letters highlight how others have seen you grow, show up, and take on challenges.

The key is to be intentional. When you’re thoughtful about how each piece fits together, you create a more complete picture of who you are and what you bring to the table. 

You’ve already done the hard work. Now it’s about showing it off in a way that makes sense, feels true to you, and helps admissions readers see why you're ready for the next chapter—law school.

Tune into episode 4 of Becoming LawyHer to learn more about crafting standout resumes and recommendation letters from Dean Simmons.

📲 You can watch Becoming LawyHer on YouTube, or listen wherever you stream your favorite podcasts—including Apple Podcasts and Spotify