I was browsing through the core curriculum and read through some of the LOR modules and one of them said that if you don't have at least one academic LOR, most admissions committees will pass on you. This worries me for a couple of reasons: 1) I've been out of college for almost 7 years now; and 2) when I was in school, I was the student who didn't really participate in class, just listened and took notes and aimed to do well. I did not go to office hours or TA sessions or anything like that, many of my classes were medium-large seminars, and so I'm worried none of my old college professors would even remember me, even with a refresher. The one professor I would maybe consider wrote a LOR for me when I applied in 2020, so I don't even know if it's wise to ask her for another LOR for round 2 of applying. I currently work in a large law office where the learning curve has been pretty steep and I believe there are quite a few attorneys/supervisors/mentors in my office who would be able to speak to my learning ability, critical thinking skills, and rigor better than an old college professor who may or may not remember me and my academic abilities. TL;DR: Do I absolutely have to have a LOR from an old college prof? Out of college 7 years, didn't stay in touch with any professors, quiet in college, and I think my work colleagues would be able to recommend me better than old college professors.