Clerkship Recommendation Advice Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently a 2L at HYSCCN, top 15%ish, planning to apply for clerkships per the hiring plan. I've secured 3 recommenders, but the third professor has asked, among other things, for me to submit a draft recommendation letter to them (they say they will write their own afterwards). I've never done this before and am kind of at a loss - is a clerkship recommendation letter structured the same way as any other letter of recommendation? Is there anything in particular I should think about highlighting beyond the obvious?

[Anonymous User]

Following! Have the same situation. Halp.

[HillandHollow]

Most good recommendation letters are about one or two pages, and are basically something like:

"Dear Judge,
Para 1: I write to offer my strong support of STUDENT, who I understand has applied for a clerk position in your chambers. STUDENT is great, etc.
Para 2: STUDENT was in my BIRD LAW class, and demonstrated early on that she was beak and wing above most of her classmates. She often attended my office hours, and she was a stable genius...She got an A+ in my class/She got a C+ in my class, but at our school, a C+ is actually very impressive, because our school is so difficult, and also a C+ doesn't reflect her actual abilities or whatever...
Para 3: But STUDENT wasn't just a Bird Law virtuoso. STUDENT came from some kind of background, which is interesting and relevant or not. This experience made STUDENT just like so cool and mature. Everyone on campus loves her.
End: I offer my strongest recommendation, because STUDENT is just the best.

Love,
Professor Crowell"

[Anonymous User]

Most good recommendation letters are about one or two pages, and are basically something like:

"Dear Judge,
Para 1: I write to offer my strong support of STUDENT, who I understand has applied for a clerk position in your chambers. STUDENT is great, etc.
Para 2: STUDENT was in my BIRD LAW class, and demonstrated early on that she was beak and wing above most of her classmates. She often attended my office hours, and she was a stable genius...She got an A+ in my class/She got a C+ in my class, but at our school, a C+ is actually very impressive, because our school is so difficult, and also a C+ doesn't reflect her actual abilities or whatever...
Para 3: But STUDENT wasn't just a Bird Law virtuoso. STUDENT came from some kind of background, which is interesting and relevant or not. This experience made STUDENT just like so cool and mature. Everyone on campus loves her.
End: I offer my strongest recommendation, because STUDENT is just the best.

Love,
Professor Crowell"

this is awesome! thanks

[Anonymous User]

Yes thank you, this is super helpful!!