Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015) Forum
-
- Posts: 1710
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:01 am
Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Looks like the 2012 applicants are starting to get going, and I thought it would be fun to maintain the first post on this and do a Kurst-style link mania, so here it is. This first post is going to get updated variously throughout the cycle with more FAQ, links, etc.
FAQ
Q1: What are all these acronyms?
A1: HLS = Harvard Law School
UR = Under Review (this is an application status on the checker)
KB1/JS1 = Phone interview with Karen Buttenbaum or Jessica Soban (formerly called JR1 for Josh Rubenstein or TS1 for Toby Stock)
KB1/JS1 = Admit call (when HLS calls you and tells you you're admitted — formerly JR2/TS2)
Note: KB and JS have been in charge of admissions this year at different times. JR left before this year, and KB took over on an interim basis. JS was hired on permanently. Both KB and JS have gone on maternity leave (LinkRemoved) during this year's cycle at different times.
ASW = Admitted Students Weekend (an official time to visit the school; happens in March and April)
Q2: If I get a phone interview, what are my chances?
A2: Good, but not 100%. Approximately 1000-1200 phone interviews go out every year, and approximately 800 admit calls go out every year.
Q3: My application went complete before my phone interview. Does that mean anything? Alternatively, I went complete after my JR1. Does that mean anything?
A3: No. Apps become complete randomly before/after the interviews, for no apparent reason.
Q4: When did apps become available?
A4: Apparently, mid-September.
Q5: When do the first admissions decisions come back?
A5: HLS acceptances traditionally begin on the first Monday of Thanksgiving week. This year, that's 11/21/11. (And they did begin on that day this year.)
Q6: By when would I have to submit to get in with the first round of admits?
A6: The end of October, probably. Possibly November 1st or 2nd. They tend to clean out most of the likely admits who had a phone interview before Thanksgiving week in that first round of acceptance calls.
Q7: What should I know about HLS?
A7: Lots of info at TLS's description, and more at discussions topics here and LSAC's guide, among many other places.
Q8: Am I going to get in?
A8: I don't know, but you can probably get a pretty good idea from LSAC's guide or elsewhere on TLS. According to LSAC's guide for the most recent year, the 25th-median-75th percentile LSAT scores were 171-173-176 and GPAs were 3.78-3.89-3.96.
Q9: Who are you, "tomwatts"?
A9: I'm a 1L at HLS. I was an LSAT teacher for five years before entering law school. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about HLS or anything by PM. I'm doing the JD/MPP program with HKS, and my HKS year is next year, so I'll be doing my 2L and 3L years with the JD class that's incoming this year.
Links
HLS Admission Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/admissions/
Other Current HLS Topics
In, KB1, no KB2, Held, Forgotten
Old TLS Topics
For admission in Fall 2011:
Applicants, In, Held, Forgotten, Misc, and Waitlist
For admission in Fall 2010:
Applicants, Phone Interview Stats, In, JR1, No JR2, Held, Waitlist, Misc Waitlist 1, Misc Waitlist 2, Misc Waitlist 3, Misc 1, Misc 2, and Misc 3
For admission in Fall 2009:
In, Waitlist, Forgotten 1, Forgotten 2, Forgotten 3, Forgotten 4, Forgotten 5, Forgotten 6, and Rejection
For admission in Fall 2008:
In, Forgotten, Held 1, Held 2, Waitlist, Waitlist Statistics, Misc 1, Misc 2, Misc 3, Rejection 1, and Rejection 2
FAQ
Q1: What are all these acronyms?
A1: HLS = Harvard Law School
UR = Under Review (this is an application status on the checker)
KB1/JS1 = Phone interview with Karen Buttenbaum or Jessica Soban (formerly called JR1 for Josh Rubenstein or TS1 for Toby Stock)
KB1/JS1 = Admit call (when HLS calls you and tells you you're admitted — formerly JR2/TS2)
Note: KB and JS have been in charge of admissions this year at different times. JR left before this year, and KB took over on an interim basis. JS was hired on permanently. Both KB and JS have gone on maternity leave (LinkRemoved) during this year's cycle at different times.
ASW = Admitted Students Weekend (an official time to visit the school; happens in March and April)
Q2: If I get a phone interview, what are my chances?
A2: Good, but not 100%. Approximately 1000-1200 phone interviews go out every year, and approximately 800 admit calls go out every year.
Q3: My application went complete before my phone interview. Does that mean anything? Alternatively, I went complete after my JR1. Does that mean anything?
A3: No. Apps become complete randomly before/after the interviews, for no apparent reason.
Q4: When did apps become available?
A4: Apparently, mid-September.
Q5: When do the first admissions decisions come back?
A5: HLS acceptances traditionally begin on the first Monday of Thanksgiving week. This year, that's 11/21/11. (And they did begin on that day this year.)
Q6: By when would I have to submit to get in with the first round of admits?
A6: The end of October, probably. Possibly November 1st or 2nd. They tend to clean out most of the likely admits who had a phone interview before Thanksgiving week in that first round of acceptance calls.
Q7: What should I know about HLS?
A7: Lots of info at TLS's description, and more at discussions topics here and LSAC's guide, among many other places.
Q8: Am I going to get in?
A8: I don't know, but you can probably get a pretty good idea from LSAC's guide or elsewhere on TLS. According to LSAC's guide for the most recent year, the 25th-median-75th percentile LSAT scores were 171-173-176 and GPAs were 3.78-3.89-3.96.
Q9: Who are you, "tomwatts"?
A9: I'm a 1L at HLS. I was an LSAT teacher for five years before entering law school. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about HLS or anything by PM. I'm doing the JD/MPP program with HKS, and my HKS year is next year, so I'll be doing my 2L and 3L years with the JD class that's incoming this year.
Links
HLS Admission Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/admissions/
Other Current HLS Topics
In, KB1, no KB2, Held, Forgotten
Old TLS Topics
For admission in Fall 2011:
Applicants, In, Held, Forgotten, Misc, and Waitlist
For admission in Fall 2010:
Applicants, Phone Interview Stats, In, JR1, No JR2, Held, Waitlist, Misc Waitlist 1, Misc Waitlist 2, Misc Waitlist 3, Misc 1, Misc 2, and Misc 3
For admission in Fall 2009:
In, Waitlist, Forgotten 1, Forgotten 2, Forgotten 3, Forgotten 4, Forgotten 5, Forgotten 6, and Rejection
For admission in Fall 2008:
In, Forgotten, Held 1, Held 2, Waitlist, Waitlist Statistics, Misc 1, Misc 2, Misc 3, Rejection 1, and Rejection 2
Last edited by tomwatts on Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:01 am, edited 13 times in total.
-
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:56 am
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Great info! Thank you very much!
-
- Posts: 944
- Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:17 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Tagged. Thanks for the info. I don't think I have a good shot at getting in, but I may as well give it a try... what do I lose except $80?
-
- Posts: 385
- Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 4:40 am
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Thanks for starting this!
- Hawkeye Pierce
- Posts: 1261
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:18 am
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Great thread!
Will be applying mid-September when the app comes out. 3.86/173 -- I don't think I have the greatest chance but definitely worth a try.
Will be applying mid-September when the app comes out. 3.86/173 -- I don't think I have the greatest chance but definitely worth a try.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- vincanity1
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:40 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Checking in. Crossing fingers for the next few months.
- moopness
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:56 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Hello hello. Being a splitter my chances are extremely low, but we'll see...GL all!
- Eichörnchen
- Posts: 1114
- Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:51 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Oh God I shouldn't even show my face in here with my PT scores, but I had to say it:
I love you. I think about you all the time. Please let me in. Also, I love you. I know I said it twice, but once was not enough.
edit: accidentally made this my 2000th post. That's gotta count for something Harvard!
I love you. I think about you all the time. Please let me in. Also, I love you. I know I said it twice, but once was not enough.
edit: accidentally made this my 2000th post. That's gotta count for something Harvard!
Last edited by Eichörnchen on Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- T14
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:55 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Good luck everyone.
HLS posted some pics of the housing options online, in case anyone is interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66268538@N04/
HLS posted some pics of the housing options online, in case anyone is interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66268538@N04/
- moopness
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:56 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
those are horrendous, I don't want to go to Harvard anymore
#TellsMyselfThatSoIDon'tFeelBadWhenI'mRejected
#TellsMyselfThatSoIDon'tFeelBadWhenI'mRejected
- basilseal
- Posts: 331
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:32 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Thank you. HLS is a big ol' reach for me but it can't hurt to apply... much.
- soj
- Posts: 7888
- Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:10 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
will do my best to get this app out of the way early.
PS writing is hard
PS writing is hard
- Eichörnchen
- Posts: 1114
- Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:51 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Soj with your stats you don't exactly have to worry about early appssoj wrote:will do my best to get this app out of the way early.
PS writing is hard
And please write my PS as well. I'm soo lost.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:46 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Glad to know I'm not the only one struggling with a PS. I'm on topic #2 right now. About to scrap it and go with something else.
-
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:07 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Hawkeye Pierce wrote:Great thread!
Will be applying mid-September when the app comes out. 3.86/173 -- I don't think I have the greatest chance but definitely worth a try.
hey, you're at least in the range! check below. best of luck!
direct from the HLS FAQ:
"As reported to the ABA, the 75/25 percentile GPAs for the class entering in 2008 were 3.95/3.74 and the 75/25 percentile LSATs were 176/170."
http://www.law.harvard.edu/prospective/ ... ss_profile
- Eichörnchen
- Posts: 1114
- Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:51 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Yea I basically have no clue what to do None of my ideas seems particularly good or seems to communicate why I will make a strong law student. Blah.MumofCad wrote:Glad to know I'm not the only one struggling with a PS. I'm on topic #2 right now. About to scrap it and go with something else.
-
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:46 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Well my first was very focused, but came off too much like an explanation of my resume. Why I chose particular jobs, what I learned from them, how I applied them in pursuing my overall goals. Nothing explicit to connect that to law school.Eichörnchen wrote:Yea I basically have no clue what to do None of my ideas seems particularly good or seems to communicate why I will make a strong law student. Blah.MumofCad wrote:Glad to know I'm not the only one struggling with a PS. I'm on topic #2 right now. About to scrap it and go with something else.
My second one is very personal. I talk more about the foundation of my values during my rural upbringing. What drove me then into a career, and what has brought me back to law. I think it might be too personal and not substantive enough in terms of anecdotal evidence. It also covers a long time span. Its terribly chronological.
I think I need something between the two. What? Not sure.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 1710
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:01 am
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
More fun resources, added to the top as well:
Q: When will apps become available?
A: Apparently, mid-September.
Q: What should I know about HLS?
A: Lots of info at TLS's description, and more at discussions topics here and LSAC's guide, among many other places.
Q: Am I going to get in?
A: I don't know, but you can probably get a pretty good idea from LSAC's guide or elsewhere on TLS. According to LSAC's guide for the most recent year, the 25th-median-75th percentile LSAT scores were 171-173-176 and GPAs were 3.78-3.89-3.96.
Also, improved the visual appearance.
Q: When will apps become available?
A: Apparently, mid-September.
Q: What should I know about HLS?
A: Lots of info at TLS's description, and more at discussions topics here and LSAC's guide, among many other places.
Q: Am I going to get in?
A: I don't know, but you can probably get a pretty good idea from LSAC's guide or elsewhere on TLS. According to LSAC's guide for the most recent year, the 25th-median-75th percentile LSAT scores were 171-173-176 and GPAs were 3.78-3.89-3.96.
Also, improved the visual appearance.
- Aurora
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 3:15 am
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
HLS is definitely a reach school for me, but it doesn't hurt to try
-
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:33 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Looks good Tom. Are you finally considering law school?
tomwatts wrote:They'll never prove it!robotclubmember wrote:i'm still curious what tomwatt's rap sheet has on it. a 180 and the guy doesn't go to law school? i think he actually killed somebody or something.
-
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:46 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
My friend who is attending Harvard this year sent me her application a few days ago so I could see her PS. She said I was welcome to skim the rest too and as I did, I found a question that requires an addendum if answered "yes."
Has your academic career been interrupted for one or more terms?
Then at the end of the series of questions: If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you must provide details on a separate attachment or electronic attachment.
I am assuming they mean if you took time off during the middle of a degree. I took almost 2 years off between my undergrad and master's to work on political campaigns and start a non-profit. Do I really need to write an addendum for this? I also took 6 months off during my PhD last year for career-related interests. We don't have "terms" per se and I will submit my dissertation about 6 months ahead of time so I didn't actually need the time off. Check yes and put an addendum for both?
Has your academic career been interrupted for one or more terms?
Then at the end of the series of questions: If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you must provide details on a separate attachment or electronic attachment.
I am assuming they mean if you took time off during the middle of a degree. I took almost 2 years off between my undergrad and master's to work on political campaigns and start a non-profit. Do I really need to write an addendum for this? I also took 6 months off during my PhD last year for career-related interests. We don't have "terms" per se and I will submit my dissertation about 6 months ahead of time so I didn't actually need the time off. Check yes and put an addendum for both?
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- kulshan
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:59 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
I'm interested in hearing what people have to say about this as well. I took a year off between undergrad and grad school to teach. I guess it can't hurt in either of our cases to explain the interruptions since it's all positive!MumofCad wrote:My friend who is attending Harvard this year sent me her application a few days ago so I could see her PS. She said I was welcome to skim the rest too and as I did, I found a question that requires an addendum if answered "yes."
Has your academic career been interrupted for one or more terms?
Then at the end of the series of questions: If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you must provide details on a separate attachment or electronic attachment.
I am assuming they mean if you took time off during the middle of a degree. I took almost 2 years off between my undergrad and master's to work on political campaigns and start a non-profit. Do I really need to write an addendum for this? I also took 6 months off during my PhD last year for career-related interests. We don't have "terms" per se and I will submit my dissertation about 6 months ahead of time so I didn't actually need the time off. Check yes and put an addendum for both?
- nihilism is key
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:32 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
In the case of the time in between the Master's and undergraduate degree, I do not believe you would need an addendum. Not only is the time off explained by your resume, but it also does not qualify as an "interruption".MumofCad wrote:My friend who is attending Harvard this year sent me her application a few days ago so I could see her PS. She said I was welcome to skim the rest too and as I did, I found a question that requires an addendum if answered "yes."
Has your academic career been interrupted for one or more terms?
Then at the end of the series of questions: If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you must provide details on a separate attachment or electronic attachment.
I am assuming they mean if you took time off during the middle of a degree. I took almost 2 years off between my undergrad and master's to work on political campaigns and start a non-profit. Do I really need to write an addendum for this? I also took 6 months off during my PhD last year for career-related interests. We don't have "terms" per se and I will submit my dissertation about 6 months ahead of time so I didn't actually need the time off. Check yes and put an addendum for both?
As for the PhD, I would include an addendum explaining the gap, though I do not believe it is what they have in mind when asking this question. The way these applications are written, they assume that all applicants only have Bachelor's degree. So the question is more geared towards students who, for example, withdrew for several semesters or several years between sophomore and junior year and then re-enrolled.
However, since putting your PhD on pause, regardless of the reason, does technically qualify as an "interruption", I do think it could warrant an addendum. I would call and ask to make sure if you think that checking "yes" might hurt your application, but otherwise, a short addendum of 2 sentences explaining that you took a 6 month leave in order to pursue a career interest, but have since resumed and will be able to complete your thesis ahead of schedule would not in any way reflect negatively on you. HTH.
- Eichörnchen
- Posts: 1114
- Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:51 pm
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
*Feels self conscience for even trying for Harvard with only a BA*
- ebeth
- Posts: 214
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:51 am
Re: Harvard 2012 applicants (class of 2015)
Don't be silly. Plenty of people get in without advanced degrees.Eichörnchen wrote:*Feels self conscience for even trying for Harvard with only a BA*
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login