Harvard Class of 2012 Forum

[Currie84]

Not trying to be snarky, I just disagree. There are communities and industry and lots of events that exist completely independent of Harvard and the other universities. And if you want to find ppl and places and things totally unattached to the university you can, easily. One of the things that made me pick Harvard over other places was that I didn't want to be in an isolated little college town.

[Cleareyes]

For the record, Cambridge is not a college town.

Harvard Square =/= Cambridge.

If you stay within the 1 mile radius of HLS, yes, you might think that. The section of Cambridge that Harvard is in, Harvard Square, is dominated by Harvard buildings and Harvard students (surprise!) but Cambridge is a lot bigger than just Harvard Square. And there are other universities in Cambridge, btw.

There is no record. This is all opinion. There is no objective metric that determines what is or is not a college town. And I recognize that there are other schools in Cambridge, that's why I said "institutions" and not institution.

I also clearly said that this was my personal opinion and assessment and I didn't necessarily think it was widely shared.

If you'd like to discuss some of the wonderful attributes of Cambridge that aren't A) Related to the educational institutions located there or the various businesses that tend to cluster around educational institutions (I.E. Bars, bookstores, restaurants) or B) Generic greater Boston area stuff, I'm sure that people would like to hear about some of the wonderful opportunities for fun and adventure near Harvard. I know I would.

[dueprocess14]

FWIW, in The American College Town, Blake Gumprecht includes Cambridge as a college town. http://www.amazon.com/American-College- ... 883&sr=1-1

Wikipedia also seemed to endorse this reading in its "college town" entry.

[treple]

Wait what? I've been away from this thread. I'm confused which part of the conversation was offensive and/or pathetic.

Someone care to enlighten me?

We like our sweatshirts too much. We should like each other instead.

I like you, Objection.

Omg Mallard. You have no idea how hard I laughed at this. Props.

[abenn07]

It's official--I submitted my deposit today! I'm really excited.

[law school question]

It's official--I submitted my deposit today! I'm really excited.

Congrats!

[iagolives]

It's official--I submitted my deposit today! I'm really excited.

Congrats! See you in the fall!

[sluggo]

The whole Cambridge/Boston metro area definitely has pockets that are heavily influenced by the surrounding community. I would think this would be a good thing, unless of course, having undergrads around bugs you.

Overall, I like the young median age of the Boston metro area. More people to meet, and more businesses who will cater to our age group's interests (bars, music, etc.) I'm trying to see the downside of a "college town" and I would imagine it would be something along the lines of the city being too dominated by one particular university and not having enough independence. I mean sure there are a lot of Harvard sweatshirts walking around, but from what I've seen and read, there appears to be a bunch of fun things to do in the Cambridge/Boston area that are totally unaffiliated with Harvard.

You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but I'm just not sure I understand the specific problem you have with Cambridge.

[Cleareyes]

The whole Cambridge/Boston metro area definitely has pockets that are heavily influenced by the surrounding community. I would think this would be a good thing, unless of course, having undergrads around bugs you.

Overall, I like the young median age of the Boston metro area. More people to meet, and more businesses who will cater to our age group's interests (bars, music, etc.) I'm trying to see the downside of a "college town" and I would imagine it would be something along the lines of the city being too dominated by one particular university and not having enough independence. I mean sure there are a lot of Harvard sweatshirts walking around, but from what I've seen and read, there appears to be a bunch of fun things to do in the Cambridge/Boston area that are totally unaffiliated with Harvard.

You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but I'm just not sure I understand the specific problem you have with Cambridge.

First of all, I was specifically talking about Cambridge and not the Boston metro area, so let's separate those from the outset.

Secondly, I mean, it's just personal preference. I like areas with a more diverse population in terms of age, interest, whatever. I like old Dominican men playing dominoes outside coffee shops and weird Colombian religious revivals in the park and a neighborhood more focused on stuff other than school. The area has some interesting Portuguese funkiness going on, but other than that it's a little white bread and young for my tastes.

Which is entirely personal, and I recognize that. And I said that. I'm not going to convince you to like what I like, and you won't convince me not to want 24 hour diners full of cops and transit workers and the like.

[Objection]

So I'm reading A Civil Action and they mention Facher taught a trial practice course at HLS. Does anyone know exactly what course he taught and what is its equivalent today?

http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/co ... 0/?id=6891

That's the closest I could find.

[memento]

Hm...looking at the HLS computer reimbursement page...

Approved Accessories: Palm Pilots/PDAs/Handhelds

Ineligible: iPods/mp3 Players


Under which category does the iphone fall? I think a strong argument can be made for the former...

Hey guys, relatively new to TLS and will be joining you all at harvard next fall. I was trying to find info on computer reimbursement stuff. Can someone give me a link?

[pinkflamingo]

memento, this page might help:
http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... puter.html

[cardinalabyss]

I've visited my top three (Yale, Harvard, and Columbia), thought long and hard (that's what she said... Ok, sorry! Sometimes, I'm pretty sure that I'm still be 10), and talked about this at length with my boyfriend, family and friends, and I'm happy to say that I sent my deposit to Harvard this afternoon!

Others (e.g., treple) have enumerated many reasons to go to Harvard over Yale so I won't go into it (if you really want to know PM me) but to put it simply, I felt like Yale was a really great dress that you see and you say, "Wow, that would be great for someone else." Yale is an amazing place, really unlike any other, it just wasn't for me.

And Harvard's coffee cups are cooler than Yale's. Kidding... sort of...

Anyway, see you all in the fall!!

Does anyone know if Fenway is too far to live?

[abenn07]

Congratulations, cardinalabyss! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

[pinkflamingo]

Congrats to everyone who has sent in their deposits! I'm starting to get pretty excited about the fall!

[cardinalabyss]

Congratulations, cardinalabyss! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

Thanks and yes, it's an amazing feeling! I'm so happy to be decided!

[JackJo21]

I just got my financial aid package from Harvard and it seems really low--12,000 in grants, and everything else is loans. My parent's income is less than $60,000 a year, and I made only $6,000USD last year (working abroad).

Does that number seem abnormally low?

[ronniea116]

Hi everyone,

New to the boards but excited to be a part of HLS 2012!

I'm currently living in Cambridge right now and looking for a roommate to potentially share a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment right across the street from HLS (Approximately 1590 Massachusetts Ave). I've checked it out, and it's a great location... Currently occupied by a graduating 3L. Shoot me a message if you're interested!

Thanks,

Ronnie

[JackJo21]

I just got my financial aid package from Harvard and it seems really low--12,000 in grants, and everything else is loans. My parent's income is less than $60,000 a year, and I made only $6,000USD last year (working abroad).

Does that number seem abnormally low?

Hi,

Any comments on this? I'm thinking of sending in a deposit to Stanford now because while I really like Harvard, I don't want to take out $50,000 in loans every year.

[Pumpkin]

i didn't get any money, and none from my parents, so all loans for me. daunting but hopefully i'm not the only one

[Cleareyes]

I just got my financial aid package from Harvard and it seems really low--12,000 in grants, and everything else is loans. My parent's income is less than $60,000 a year, and I made only $6,000USD last year (working abroad).

Does that number seem abnormally low?

Hi,

Any comments on this? I'm thinking of sending in a deposit to Stanford now because while I really like Harvard, I don't want to take out $50,000 in loans every year.

I don't think you'll find many people willing to openly discuss the specifics of their finances/financial aid here, though some may PM you. If Stanford made you a much better offer and Harvard isn't worth $50,000 a year in loans to you then you should go to Stanford. I personally believe that the benefits of a Harvard education and the value of the Harvard brand are such that I am comfortable taking on significant loans to attend Harvard. It looks like a lot of money now, and it is a lot of money, but Harvard law degrees are worth a heck of a lot.

[packergirl13]

i didn't get any money, and none from my parents, so all loans for me. daunting but hopefully i'm not the only one

You're not alone, I promise!

[1004LSAT]

I just got my financial aid package from Harvard and it seems really low--12,000 in grants, and everything else is loans. My parent's income is less than $60,000 a year, and I made only $6,000USD last year (working abroad).

Does that number seem abnormally low?

Where do you hope practice law and what kind? If you plan to practice in California, go with Stanford. If you want to practice anywhere else, go to Harvard. But remember, unless you go the route of big law, it may take you an awfully long time to pay off those loans.

[pinkflamingo]

i didn't get any money, and none from my parents, so all loans for me. daunting but hopefully i'm not the only one

You're not alone, I promise!

I'm right there with both of you!

[356a]

I would pick SLS over HLS even at the same price...let alone with a $$$ difference.

[adding more now]

With the $$$, it would make it a no brainer.

Why? I love the smaller size and the reported more collegial nature, and better student/prof interaction.
And either name travels both coasts really well, so no difference there.

But... I do like the Harvard campus quite a bit, and I think living in Cambridge would be fun. Of course, the winter's are tougher, so a trade off. Skiing is much better in Tahoe than back east...

But the $$$... no question for me.