Harvard Class of 2017 Forum

[wtrc]

I guess I'm checking in! I'd better hope that the plane I'm about to board doesn't have WiFi, because otherwise I'm going to stalk the hell out of HLS for the next 9 hours.

NEP NEP NEP NEP NEP

ugh these past two days are turning out to be so great, let's hope the rest of our waiters get in later

[tls2175]

hahhah. So um phone #s / facebooks? Or are we doing it like the olden days? I'll be wearing a (faux) dead furry animal on my head.

I'll be at Black and White by 8:30. You can call me at 646-708-4292 when you arrive if you don't want to walk up to random strangers and ask if they're going to Harvard.

I'll be the lanky, brown-haired, white guy picking up his phone and I'll be wearing a grey sweater with orange stripes.

And I'll the brown-haired girl standing around looking for the guy in a grey sweater with orange stripes.

I don't mean to perpetuate any gender stereotypes, but I can't tell you what I will be wearing because it will probably be a game-time decision.

And if anyone wants to pm me for facebook info (full disclosure: I am not an avid fb user), feel free!

[jingosaur]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

[neprep]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

You could always just don something like this

[t-14orbust]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

You could always just don something like this

is it bad that I'm going to feel like a dbag when I rock H gear? I'm already a dbag so I guess it's alright

[neprep]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

You could always just don something like this

[img]Swag[/img]

is it bad that I'm going to feel like a dbag when I rock H gear? I'm already a dbag so I guess it's alright

HLS reported 85% of its student body fits the description "dbag" in its recent ABA 509 Disclosure. So I think this is credited.

[t-14orbust]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

You could always just don something like this

[img]Swag[/img]

is it bad that I'm going to feel like a dbag when I rock H gear? I'm already a dbag so I guess it's alright

HLS reported 85% of its student body fits the description "dbag" in its recent ABA 509 Disclosure. So I think this is credited.

dang the percentage dropped? cmon JS, I know apps have been down but we're HLS, after all

[wtrc]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

Ya this is me every day. Clearly we came from the same Russian shtetl in 1900.

[wtrc]

Okay, here's a discussion I'd like to have, fellow admits:

Merit scholarships at other schools.

For the moment, pretend that Yale and Stanford do not exist.

What level of merit aid at what other schools would reach the threshold of

1) making Harvard a difficult decision for you?

and/or

2) making you choose this other school over Harvard?

and for what reasons?

I've been thinking about this a lot, especially since some schollies are starting to roll in strongly.

Pretending Yale doesn't exist (or assuming I don't get Yale)... I would consider a Columbia scholly or maybe some others. But emphasis on the "consider." I don't see myself going into biglaw, at least long-term, and HLS has an amazing LRAP program. I'm not fully decided, but I think I might take the arguably irrational choice to take a lot of debt (I'll be paying entirely through loans, and almost certainly won't qualify for grants), in order to not have the "what if" hanging over me forever. It'll be tough, and I will consider a nice scholly at CCN or even some others, but in the end I'll probably end up at HLS. I feel like I worked too hard throughout school and with the LSAT and it might make me make an irrational choice to have the Harvard on my diploma. Idk....

[jingosaur]

I'll probably be at the NYC HH right around 8:30. I'm a Jewish guy with brown hair and I don't know what I'm going to wear yet. It's probably better to look for someone else who provided a description.

You could always just don something like this

I already decided that I'm buying the most obnoxious Harvard sweater that I can possibly find when I'm at ASW.

[DrStudMuffin]

Okay, here's a discussion I'd like to have, fellow admits:

Merit scholarships at other schools.

For the moment, pretend that Yale and Stanford do not exist.

What level of merit aid at what other schools would reach the threshold of

1) making Harvard a difficult decision for you?

and/or

2) making you choose this other school over Harvard?

and for what reasons?

I've also been thinking a lot about this recently. For me I think a full-ride named scholarship at a few schools would definitely tempt me (the ones I'm thinking of include: Hamilton, Darrow, Mordecai, Levy - already waitlisted at Chicago so no chance of a Ruby). I don't necessarily have the GPA for some of those, but I'm staying positive.

The main reason a full scholly would be tempting is that I have some non-law entrepreneurial aspirations on the side that would be substantially easier to achieve without a significant loan burden. Then again the Harvard name could be helpful in those endeavors...

Decisions, decisions.

[paglababa]

Okay, here's a discussion I'd like to have, fellow admits:

Merit scholarships at other schools.

For the moment, pretend that Yale and Stanford do not exist.

What level of merit aid at what other schools would reach the threshold of

1) making Harvard a difficult decision for you?

and/or

2) making you choose this other school over Harvard?

and for what reasons?

I've also been thinking a lot about this recently. For me I think a full-ride named scholarship at a few schools would definitely tempt me (the ones I'm thinking of include: Hamilton, Darrow, Mordecai, Levy - already waitlisted at Chicago so no chance of a Ruby). I don't necessarily have the GPA for some of those, but I'm staying positive.

The main reason a full scholly would be tempting is that I have some non-law entrepreneurial aspirations on the side that would be substantially easier to achieve without a significant loan burden. Then again the Harvard name could be helpful in those endeavors...

Decisions, decisions.

Yea. I really want Harvard but I doubt I'll be getting any fin aid because of my 2013 salary. LSATs not high enough for Hamilton, Ruby, or probably most of the named scholarships. I did appy for some at NYU which seems like my most realistic shot now.

I'm not sure if I want big law or something else. Hoping to get more relevant decision factors over the coming months.

[codyoneill]

Okay, here's a discussion I'd like to have, fellow admits:

Merit scholarships at other schools.

For the moment, pretend that Yale and Stanford do not exist.

What level of merit aid at what other schools would reach the threshold of

1) making Harvard a difficult decision for you?

and/or

2) making you choose this other school over Harvard?

and for what reasons?

I've been thinking about this a lot, especially since some schollies are starting to roll in strongly.

Pretending Yale doesn't exist (or assuming I don't get Yale)... I would consider a Columbia scholly or maybe some others. But emphasis on the "consider." I don't see myself going into biglaw, at least long-term, and HLS has an amazing LRAP program. I'm not fully decided, but I think I might take the arguably irrational choice to take a lot of debt (I'll be paying entirely through loans, and almost certainly won't qualify for grants), in order to not have the "what if" hanging over me forever. It'll be tough, and I will consider a nice scholly at CCN or even some others, but in the end I'll probably end up at HLS. I feel like I worked too hard throughout school and with the LSAT and it might make me make an irrational choice to have the Harvard on my diploma. Idk....

I'm in pretty much the same boat. I want to make the most rational decision (and as of this moment, no merit aid has rolled in that's made choosing Harvard a difficult decision).

All things considered, I'll be going to HLS because:

1) I will be getting some grant aid, which mitigates some of the effects of merit aid that may materialize elsewhere.
2) From a psychological perspective, I would prefer to have more opportunities than more money in my ten year future. I'd rather have HLS open doors for me and have to work to pay off debt / live somewhat less comfortably / luxuriously than go to a lesser school where my debt will be lower but I might not have the same career opportunities / networking.
3) It's really that "what if" question you were talking about. Regret over Harvard debt seems like a smaller problem than Regret over declining Harvard. If I don't go to Harvard then for the rest of my life, every time I'm not chosen for a job I'll wonder (rightly or wrongly) if it would be different had I gone to Harvard.
4) Harvard's LIPP is a great safety net. Some people feel compelled to work Big Law because they don't find the LIPP plan "livable" but I've been making pennies in public service for a few years, and LIPP looks mighty fine to me.

And yet, even writing this, I do struggle, wondering if I'm being rational or if I'm rationalizing my decision. And then I think to myself, what a pleasant struggle to have. And if the worst decision I make this year is talk myself into going to Harvard, it will have been a good year indeed.

[jingosaur]

Yea. I really want Harvard but I doubt I'll be getting any fin aid because of my 2013 salary. LSATs not high enough for Hamilton, Ruby, or probably most of the named scholarships. I did appy for some at NYU which seems like my most realistic shot now.

I'm not sure if I want big law or something else. Hoping to get more relevant decision factors over the coming months.

I'm pretty sure that your current salary doesn't factor into your financial aid decision since they know you're not going to be earning that while you're in law school. Only your personal assets net of your current student loans do.

[kershka]

Man, I wish that I lived in NYC so that I could meet up with all of you people. No chance any of you are slumming it in the snow-covered Midwest?

Excitingly, my EFC on my FAFSA for Harvard came out to an incredible $0.00. I have never been so delighted to be completely broke!

[Nonconsecutive]

Man, I wish that I lived in NYC so that I could meet up with all of you people. No chance any of you are slumming it in the snow-covered Midwest?

Excitingly, my EFC on my FAFSA for Harvard came out to an incredible $0.00. I have never been so delighted to be completely broke!

Congrats on having no money!

[paglababa]

Man, I wish that I lived in NYC so that I could meet up with all of you people. No chance any of you are slumming it in the snow-covered Midwest?

Excitingly, my EFC on my FAFSA for Harvard came out to an incredible $0.00. I have never been so delighted to be completely broke!

Congrats on having no money!

It it better to have had and lost, or to never have had at all.

[paglababa]

Yea. I really want Harvard but I doubt I'll be getting any fin aid because of my 2013 salary. LSATs not high enough for Hamilton, Ruby, or probably most of the named scholarships. I did appy for some at NYU which seems like my most realistic shot now.

I'm not sure if I want big law or something else. Hoping to get more relevant decision factors over the coming months.

I'm pretty sure that your current salary doesn't factor into your financial aid decision since they know you're not going to be earning that while you're in law school. Only your personal assets net of your current student loans do.

Pretty sure I've heard the opposite is true. That having some money in your savings account would be less important than what your w2 states as your wages for the previous year. Hence, when you have a 2L SA, your fin aid ends up lower during 3L.

[brooklynbuckeye]

Okay, here's a discussion I'd like to have, fellow admits:

Merit scholarships at other schools.

For the moment, pretend that Yale and Stanford do not exist.

What level of merit aid at what other schools would reach the threshold of

1) making Harvard a difficult decision for you?

and/or

2) making you choose this other school over Harvard?

and for what reasons?

I've also been thinking a lot about this recently. For me I think a full-ride named scholarship at a few schools would definitely tempt me (the ones I'm thinking of include: Hamilton, Darrow, Mordecai, Levy - already waitlisted at Chicago so no chance of a Ruby). I don't necessarily have the GPA for some of those, but I'm staying positive.

The main reason a full scholly would be tempting is that I have some non-law entrepreneurial aspirations on the side that would be substantially easier to achieve without a significant loan burden. Then again the Harvard name could be helpful in those endeavors...

Decisions, decisions.

I've been thinking about this a lot as well, and am really not sure what I would do if I got a full ride somewhere. When I was first applying, I thought I would definitely choose a scholarship as more practical, independent, etc. Now that I have the Harvard option, it's hard to think about turning it down.

I don't know that there is a right answer. I know a fair number of attorneys and law students, some who chose HYS and some who chose scholarships, and all have very different perspectives ("go to HYS no matter what if possible," "HYS gives you more options, but having debt restricts your options"). I need to spend more time looking at LIPP. The (small) sample of HY grads I have talked to felt like it wasn't helpful to them for that long, getting married/spousal income really affects eligibility and the prospect of being tied to the school/loans for 10 years was unappealing when it came down to it.

[sasquatchsam]

Yea. I really want Harvard but I doubt I'll be getting any fin aid because of my 2013 salary. LSATs not high enough for Hamilton, Ruby, or probably most of the named scholarships. I did appy for some at NYU which seems like my most realistic shot now.

I'm not sure if I want big law or something else. Hoping to get more relevant decision factors over the coming months.

I'm pretty sure that your current salary doesn't factor into your financial aid decision since they know you're not going to be earning that while you're in law school. Only your personal assets net of your current student loans do.

Pretty sure I've heard the opposite is true. That having some money in your savings account would be less important than what your w2 states as your wages for the previous year. Hence, when you have a 2L SA, your fin aid ends up lower during 3L.

From what I can tell there are three components that they use to calculate aid if you are a single individual (no spouse or dependents)

1. Resources from parents.
2. Resources from savings/assets.
3. Resources from income.

Resources from parents are the most difficult to calculate.

Resources from savings/assets are easy to determine. They take the value of all of your assets and divide them over the three years decreasing your grant by that amount. The exception is with retirement accounts they only expect you to contribute half of their value.

As far as I can tell, HLS only considers income earned during the summer in determining financial aid. Follow this link to see how they do it http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... ncome.html

In other words, it will not matter what your income was last year (or even the first five months of this year). They only care about what you earn the next three summers. Be careful though because they have a minimum expected summer income contribution...even if you don't have any income, they expect you to contribute a certain amount of money towards your education.

[paglababa]

Yea. I really want Harvard but I doubt I'll be getting any fin aid because of my 2013 salary. LSATs not high enough for Hamilton, Ruby, or probably most of the named scholarships. I did appy for some at NYU which seems like my most realistic shot now.

I'm not sure if I want big law or something else. Hoping to get more relevant decision factors over the coming months.

I'm pretty sure that your current salary doesn't factor into your financial aid decision since they know you're not going to be earning that while you're in law school. Only your personal assets net of your current student loans do.

Pretty sure I've heard the opposite is true. That having some money in your savings account would be less important than what your w2 states as your wages for the previous year. Hence, when you have a 2L SA, your fin aid ends up lower during 3L.

From what I can tell there are three components that they use to calculate aid if you are a single individual (no spouse or dependents)

1. Resources from parents.
2. Resources from savings/assets.
3. Resources from income.

Resources from parents are the most difficult to calculate.

Resources from savings/assets are easy to determine. They take the value of all of your assets and divide them over the three years decreasing your grant by that amount. The exception is with retirement accounts they only expect you to contribute half of their value.

As far as I can tell, HLS only considers income earned during the summer in determining financial aid. Follow this link to see how they do it http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... ncome.html

In other words, it will not matter what your income was last year (or even the first five months of this year). They only care about what you earn the next three summers. Be careful though because they have a minimum expected summer income contribution...even if you don't have any income, they expect you to contribute a certain amount of money towards your education.

Holy shit I did not know about this regarding Harvard. That is awesomeeee. YES I might be able to go to Harvard...

edit: It's only how much assets I have at the time I fill out fafsa right? So what I accumulate between fafsa and starting 1L won't have any bearing until I do my fafsa for the following year?

[sasquatchsam]

I don't believe Harvard uses FAFSA except to calculate loan eligibility. Someone can correct me if I am wrong but they use a system similar to Need Access to calculate grant aid.

Also, they calculate it based on when you submit the application but I believe you have to update them if your assets increase by more than $3000.

[codyoneill]

And Harvard recalculates every year no matter what, don't forget that part.

[CyanIdes Of March]

I still don't think the good news has really sunk in yet.

How did/will everyone celebrate?

Beer + friends.

This for about 2 months and counting.

EDIT: Just realized this was from a month ago, but kind of still applies for the new guys and gals.

[TheMostDangerousLG]

hahhah. So um phone #s / facebooks? Or are we doing it like the olden days? I'll be wearing a (faux) dead furry animal on my head.

I'll be at Black and White by 8:30. You can call me at 646-708-4292 when you arrive if you don't want to walk up to random strangers and ask if they're going to Harvard.

I'll be the lanky, brown-haired, white guy picking up his phone and I'll be wearing a grey sweater with orange stripes.

And I'll the brown-haired girl standing around looking for the guy in a grey sweater with orange stripes.

I don't mean to perpetuate any gender stereotypes, but I can't tell you what I will be wearing because it will probably be a game-time decision.

And if anyone wants to pm me for facebook info (full disclosure: I am not an avid fb user), feel free!

I'll be the crazy pale girl (crazy pale, not crazy and pale*) with brown hair looking around super awkwardly for probably way longer than necessary. I think I'm also wearing a teal shirt.

*Okay, fine, also crazy and pale. But that's irrelevant. In this instance.