HLS Expands Junior Deferral Program to Students at All Colleges Forum

[goldenbear2020]

"The program, previously only open to Harvard College students since its inception in 2014, allows students to apply to the Law School during their junior year of college on the condition that they defer enrollment for at least two years if accepted."

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017 ... -expanded/

[Npret]

Wow I just mentioned this program in the Harvard accepting GRE thread.

[goldenbear2020]

Not sure if this decision is related to LSAT or rankings, since these deferred students' stats should count the same as regular 1Ls.

[curry1]

Not sure if this decision is related to LSAT or rankings, since these deferred students' stats should count the same as regular 1Ls.

it's definitely related to rankings. Cut through the self-serving BS and you can see this is a clear attempt to gin up yield (they will obviously get near 100% of those who apply via junior deferral to accept).

[Npret]

Not sure if this decision is related to LSAT or rankings, since these deferred students' stats should count the same as regular 1Ls.

I don't think they need to take the LSAT or even the GRE
I recall Illinois starting a similar program with their undergraduates and they were admitted without a test score.
Could be completely wrong though.

Edit: I was wrong sorry! They do require a GRE or LSAT score.

[goldenbear2020]

Looks like LSAT/GRE is still required. Seems like an effective way to siphon off applicants from YS. Of course, YS could always institute similar "super early" decision programs.

http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/jdadmission ... m/#faq-1-1

[Npret]

Looks like LSAT/GRE is still required. Seems like an effective way to siphon off applicants from YS. Of course, YS could always institute similar "super early" decision programs.

http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/jdadmission ... m/#faq-1-1

If you accept,you can't apply to other schools without withdrawing from this program. It sounds like a great option for undergrads because their financial aid package won't change.

If I was an undergrad in a position to get need based aid, I would consider this program. If they don't accept you, you can have a call with admissions to go over your application. It's probably worth the $85.00 application fee just to get that feedback.

It looks like seniors can apply for deferred admission as well. It's not just juniors.

[Alexandros]

.

[Npret]

Looks like LSAT/GRE is still required. Seems like an effective way to siphon off applicants from YS. Of course, YS could always institute similar "super early" decision programs.

http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/jdadmission ... m/#faq-1-1

If you accept,you can't apply to other schools without withdrawing from this program. It sounds like a great option for undergrads because their financial aid package won't change.

If I was an undergrad in a position to get need based aid, I would consider this program. If they don't accept you, you can have a call with admissions to go over your application. It's probably worth the $85.00 application fee just to get that feedback.

It looks like seniors can apply for deferred admission as well. It's not just juniors.

I dunno - Seems like it might encourage 19 year old kids to agree to taking on a whopping amount of debt when they're too young to know what it means, or whether or not they actually want to practice law. It looks like you can withdraw (and presumably reapply), so there's that flexibility - but still.

I think that's why they require at least a two year deferral for work experience or other grad school? You still get need based aid which I know has a minimum loan requirement.

I don't understand how these accepted students would be worse off than any K-JD or other 0L in comprehending debt?

FYI: an applicant doesn't apply for financial aid until the spring before they matriculate.

Edit: do you mean because they are only applying to Harvard and won't be eligible for full scholarships elsewhere?

[Alexandros]

.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I think Npret is suggesting that's what lots of K-JDs already do. It's not like there's a massive difference between a junior and a senior in college.

[Npret]

Looks like LSAT/GRE is still required. Seems like an effective way to siphon off applicants from YS. Of course, YS could always institute similar "super early" decision programs.

http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/jdadmission ... m/#faq-1-1

If you accept,you can't apply to other schools without withdrawing from this program. It sounds like a great option for undergrads because their financial aid package won't change.

If I was an undergrad in a position to get need based aid, I would consider this program. If they don't accept you, you can have a call with admissions to go over your application. It's probably worth the $85.00 application fee just to get that feedback.

It looks like seniors can apply for deferred admission as well. It's not just juniors.

I dunno - Seems like it might encourage 19 year old kids to agree to taking on a whopping amount of debt when they're too young to know what it means, or whether or not they actually want to practice law. It looks like you can withdraw (and presumably reapply), so there's that flexibility - but still.

I think that's why they require at least a two year deferral for work experience or other grad school? You still get need based aid which I know has a minimum loan requirement.

I don't understand how these accepted students would be worse off than any K-JD or other 0L in comprehending debt?


Edit: do you mean because they are only applying to Harvard and won't be eligible for full scholarships elsewhere?

I just mean it seems like it would encourage people to be essentially super K-JD (at least in terms of their acceptance/decision) and to have no debt-minimizing options. I could see Junior year me doing something like this for the H mystique without fully understanding what debt means and the value of having other options (or what law practice is like, etc.)

Perhaps not though - I'm likely reading too far into this.

I'm just jaded by the number of OPs that take Harvard over significant aid at other schools. I don't see these admits being less sophisticated than those posters.

It's a fair point that by not applying to other schools you are shut out from seeing other scholarship offers.

My thought is that Harvard is only interviewing and accepting students who demonstrate law as a career or some combination degree with law. Otherwise they will be wasting time admitting students who won't attend.

It's definitely a way for them to cherry pick top students. I wonder how it will go.

[Npret]

I think Npret is suggesting that's what lots of K-JDs already do. It's not like there's a massive difference between a junior and a senior in college.

Exactly Nony. Thanks.

[Alexandros]

.