Hi there,

I am currently collecting all my application documents. Unfortunately it is hard to get a letter of recommendation written by a professor, since I have been working since 6 years. So one professor told me that a LoR written by him would not be very helpful, since I left University 6 years ago.

I easily get LoR written by my boss and other attorneys at my firm. So I could easily provide a number of LoR from people with a professional working background, but no LoR from a professor.

The universities require such a LoR from a professor, isn't it?

How are your experiences on this?

Many thanks and kind regards
JJM

Yes, you need a LoR from a professor. For many universities those are far more important than the ones from a professional working background.

Many thanks for your quick response.

My professor told me today that he will assist me.

He wanted to know how Long such a LoR should be. Or is there no limit.

My boss at my firm, for example, wrote a LoR of 3 pages. Is this too much?

Many thanks and best regards!
JJM

I think that reasonable length is 1 - 3 pages; as shorter than a page does not seem serious, while longer than three becomes dull to read.

But it depends on the content, I would say. The best LOR's showcase examples of your qualities, if someone manages to write 3 pages of well founded reasoning as to why you are great - great, but it would not make sense to go on 3 pages about the same details or general notions as the length of the letter should not be a goal in itself.

As to academic LOR's after significant working experience, in MHO professors' letters should describe how you functioned in the study environment, it does not make a difference if they are describing a recent period (for recent graduates) or period of couple of years ago - if you were an engaged bright student that should not change with period of time which elapsed since then. Try to get your professors to focus on that - they do not have to refer to period after your graduation if you did not stay in relevant professional contact.

MHO