Harvard Class of 2012 Forum

[Objection]

Is "graduation year" your HLS graduation year or UG graduation year?

[excitedutterance]

'm from the west coast and and def. plan on working in California to be closer to family so Cambridge would like a nice little adventure and the only time I'd live on the east coast.

Likewise, entirely.

Is "graduation year" your HLS graduation year or UG graduation year?

I think it's your HLS year, if you're referring to the Sidebar profile.

Edit: I think you might be talking about this scholarship thing that everyone else is talking about, though. Where is that?

Edit again: I just read my HLS email. Heh.

I plan to live as close to the law school as possible, so Cambridge for me.

I really want to live with other HLS students.

I really want to live as close to HLS as possible, but since I'm not moving alone, I won't be living in the dorms. I think that's best for me, anyway, because I have a feeling I'll like being able to escape--albeit briefly and rarely--from top-law-schools.com. Ideally I'll be close enough to be social, though.

[jrs12]

Actually, I was more amused by the last name scholarships. It's funny how there's no application--just a "check if you apply" format. Clearly they're just trying to make sure that they spend the money that they're legally allowed to spend. They certainly didn't talk these up.

[Objection]

My big thing is that I need my own bath tub and I really want my own kitchen.

None of the dorms accommodate both of those.

But dorms are most convenient and social.

Argh.

[constellationx]

Yay! I can join this group now! Hi all.

Question: were you able to log in to the Admitted Students page the next day? My status checker changed to "Admitted" this morning.

[sluggo]

Objection:

bubble baths to relieve the stress?

[sluggo]

Also, I'm officially going to be there for St. Patrick's day with my gf and we'd love to meet up with some future classmates. Anyone else down for hitting up some pubs on Tuesday? Green beer ftw!

[bgc]

Also, I'm officially going to be there for St. Patrick's day!

I'll be playing at Tommy Doyle's at 12:30. It's right in the square.

[CallMeCrazy]

FYI- Harvard professors do follow a strict curve. Almost over 20% of my section received LPs in each course...

[KP429]

FYI- Harvard professors do follow a strict curve. Almost over 20% of my section received LPs in each course...

Wow, what?! What was it like for H/P? 25/50? I can't believe 1 in 4 students got a LP, jesus..

[iagolives]

FYI- Harvard professors do follow a strict curve. Almost over 20% of my section received LPs in each course...

Wow, what?! What was it like for H/P? 25/50? I can't believe 1 in 4 students got a LP, jesus..

I had NO idea! Wow, that seems kind of harsh, yeah?

[Objection]

Objection:

bubble baths to relieve the stress?

Yes!

I study in the bathtub. I get my reading done in the bathtub. I relax in the bathtub.

I <3 Baths.

[turkfish]

FYI- Harvard professors do follow a strict curve. Almost over 20% of my section received LPs in each course...

This is absolutely not true. The % of LPs per class is no more than 10% on average. No one I've talked to at HLS thinks otherwise, and there have been multiple grade surveys backing the 10% or less number up. Well over half of my section did not receive any LPs. That said, HLS professors do follow a strict curve, but the exact numbers on the curve are not clear. H seems to be between 30-35% and LP is very close to 10% but definitely not more than that.

On an informal section survey, over 80% of the respondents said that they preferred the new system to the old. And for those worried about not having great exams be rewarded, HLS allows professors to give 1-2 discretionary "Dean's Scholar" awards per class. This is kind of nice because the awards don't really hurt those that don't get them since the actual grade is the same as everyone else who got an H, but it still rewards excellence in a visible way.

[KP429]

So if Harvard students don't know the system, how will employers?

[turkfish]

Employers will have a good idea of what they're looking at after seeing a ton of transcripts through OCI. Students have to rely on sketchy survey information to figure out the grade distribution, but employers can look directly at transcripts of a decent number of students.

[totalidiot]

I apologize if this has already been asked (I wasn't sure of an efficient way to search it beyond reading the whole thread), but I have a question that someone might be able to answer:

If I were to apply and be accepted to the JD/MPA my 1L year, I understand that my 3rd and 4th years would divide the tuition such that each year one school would get 25% tuition and the other would receive 75%. If this is so, am I correct in assuming that HLS just knocks off the 75% and the 25% of each year coming from HLS in making good on their 3L year grant for those committing to 5 years of government work?

[sry]

hey all -

Is anyone going to the April ASW? I feel like everyone is going in March, and I'm trying to decided whether or not it will be worth it to go in April if no one else is there.

[homestyle]

hey all -

Is anyone going to the April ASW? I feel like everyone is going in March, and I'm trying to decided whether or not it will be worth it to go in April if no one else is there.

I'm going in April.

[Objection]

Going back to financial aid for a second...

My parents are divorced/separated, meaning HLS wants me to provide both my biological father's documentation and my mother's documentation.

Each of my parents make too much money for me to receive much in the way of assistance. Combined, it's out of the question.

However, they don't give me any money, so I am a little concerned...

Their incomes will only affect my ability to get grants and stafford loans, correct? I can still borrow the full difference (budget minus aid) through GradPLUS or another "supplemental" loan, correct?

And does this mean I'm going to end up ~$200,000 in debt ($65.5k*3)?

If so, that Darrow is looking more and more tempting.

[jrs12]

You can get unsubsidized Stafford loans, regardless of need, up to $20,500/yr. Don't know much about GradPLUS loans.

Yeah, it does mean you'll probably be 200k in debt.

[iagolives]

Also, idk what kind of law you are hoping for, but do you think you'll be qualifying for any low income protection?

[Krswmact]

i dont know if this is correct...but my understanding is that you should still be able to get the stafford loans because as a entering J.D. student you fill the fafsa out as an independent. Anyone want to confirm?

[totalidiot]

So, if I plan (assuming I do well) on clerking and then working for the federal government, am I pretty much screwed if I'm taking out all this stuff on GradPLUS and Stafford unsubsidized?

[Objection]

Also, idk what kind of law you are hoping for, but do you think you'll be qualifying for any low income protection?

Probably not.

[meesawoosa]

[quote="Objection"]Going back to financial aid for a second...
My parents are divorced/separated, meaning HLS wants me to provide both my biological father's documentation and my mother's documentation.
Each of my parents make too much money for me to receive much in the way of assistance. Combined, it's out of the question.
However, they don't give me any money, so I am a little concerned...
Their incomes will only affect my ability to get grants and stafford loans, correct? I can still borrow the full difference (budget minus aid) through GradPLUS or another "supplemental" loan, correct?
And does this mean I'm going to end up ~$200,000 in debt ($65.5k*3)?
quote]

I'm worried about this too. My parents' income is pretty high, though we have tons of expenses right now because of medical bills/other family issues. I applied as a "regular" applicant, but now I'm wishing I had just done "loan-only" so I wouldn't need to submit my parents' information... plus it's a hassle getting their tax info since they normally get an extension for filing returns.