Harvard Student(s) Answering Your Questions Forum

[pupshaw]

How do DS's affect this analysis? Obviously, say, 3H+2DS beats 5H, but does it beat 6H? (It does, of course, for the purposes of internal gpa calculation...)

the part in parenthesis is not necessarily true.

Can you explain in what case it wouldn't be true? I'm not challenging you, I'm just not sure I understand. Would it just be if the 2 DSs were in LRW (only two credits) but the 6 Hs were in substantive classes? Or am I missing something else?

As I understand it, for GPA purposes H = 4, DS = 5.

So 3H + 2DS = 12 + 10 = 22
6H = 24

So I think you're right, cerealdan, that some of those grades would have to be LRW (weighted by 0.5?) in order for 6H to be lower than 3H+2DS for GPA purposes. For example:

3H + 2DS (not LRW) = 22
4H + 2H (in each semester of LRW, so GPA equivalent of 1H) = 16 + 4 = 20

I actually meant that the DSs would have to be in LRW for the 3+2 not to beat 6H.

You're forgetting to factor in the 6th class, a P, in the first example. So it's actually
3H+2DS+1P=12+10+3=25 vs the 24 for 6H.

[Blessedassurance]

There are two-credit electives available second semester of 1L.

[DoubleChecks]

I think that's right, 3-4 H's is probably median because there are ten classes and 1/3 get H supposedly. Bear in mind what OCS says about bidding though, because I think it's generally true. The question isn't really median or not but rather whether you fall into

Straight P's
Couple H's (1-2)
Several H's (3-5)
Lot's of H's (6-8)
Holy Shit (8-10 with DS's in there)

They will talk about before EIP what those various bins mean. Anyway, congrats on finishing 1L; it's the worst of the three.

How do DS's affect this analysis? Obviously, say, 3H+2DS beats 5H, but does it beat 6H? (It does, of course, for the purposes of internal gpa calculation, but what about for employers?)

Most firms are just as confused as you are. They'll see 3H + 2DS vs. 6H and shrug. Oh, great student, goes in the 'good student grades' pile. That's about it lol. Not sure how much scrutiny the most selective firms give to grades like this (ex: W&C, Wachtell, etc.), but the other 90% of firms really won't care (or at least it won't hold you back to have worse grades).

[Blessedassurance]

I actually meant that the DSs would have to be in LRW for the 3+2 not to beat 6H.

#1: 2DS(4), 3H(2), 1P(4) = 76
#2: 2DS(4), 1H(4), 2H(2), 1P(2) = 78
#3: 6H(4) = 96

Number 3 beats numbers 1 and 2. The number in parenthesis represents the number of credits in the class.

Maybe my math is wrong...but I'm sure there are different scenarios where the DS's don't have to be in 2-credit classes to lose to 6H's.

I was going to proffer more scenarios but come to think of it, it's probably in our best interest to leave it as murky as it currently is. I think they simply count H's and P's anyways.

[pupshaw]

I actually meant that the DSs would have to be in LRW for the 3+2 not to beat 6H.

#1: 2DS(4), 3H(2), 1P(4) = 76
#2: 2DS(4), 1H(4), 2H(2), 1P(2) = 78
#3: 6H(4) = 96

Number 3 beats numbers 1 and 2. The number in parenthesis represents the number of credits in the class.

Maybe my math is wrong...but I'm sure there are different scenarios where the DS's don't have to be in 2-credit classes to lose to 6H's.

I was going to proffer more scenarios but come to think of it, it's probably in our best interest to leave it as murky as it currently is. I think they simply count H's and P's anyways.

Gotcha, yeah, I forgot to account for lower credit courses.

[GertrudePerkins]

I don't really know how firms look at DS's, but they definitely matter for clerkships.

[094320]

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[Mista Bojangles]

Anyone have experience with cross-registration (I'm looking specifically at doing a language class at the college)? Would be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts, both on the aspect of navigating the registration process, and also whether the experience of the class itself was a) manageable logistically and b) valuable/worthwhile.

[094320]

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[Eichörnchen]

Chiming in to say I don't quite agree with this. Yes, a lot of people meet a chunk of their friends in the beginning of 1L and I would encourage you to make sure to still go out to events instead of staying in studying in the beginning. That being said, I continue to make new friends all the time. Some of my current close friends I didn't meet until 2L, and there's a couple friends I only really started talking to this past semester. Most people are pretty open to making new friends-they can just be a bit busy and not necessarily proactive about it. If you reach out, it's pretty easy to make new ones.

I'm glad to hear this. I was getting fearful that it's really cliquey. I'm also interested in the cross registration in foreign languages. I am feeling really rusty in my second language and wondered if I could take a class in it to keep current. I've also thought of taking one to pick up a third language, but I don't think that would be too fruitful since getting to a point of usefulness in a language take so much time.

[Mista Bojangles]

my friends and I agree that classes at the college (whether language or otherwise) usually take up more time than law school classes.

This was a little surprising (given that I feel like I do 5x more work in LS than I ever did in college), but everything else sounds awesome. Very helpful, thanks

[DoubleChecks]

my friends and I agree that classes at the college (whether language or otherwise) usually take up more time than law school classes.

This was a little surprising (given that I feel like I do 5x more work in LS than I ever did in college), but everything else sounds awesome. Very helpful, thanks

Greatly varies from person to person. I thought law school in general took up slightly more time than college, but that is just me personally. Both took up very little time imo outside of the first couple months of 1L yr though.

Which makes studying for the bar such a grueling task for me...

[wert3813]

Anyone do the joint with HKS? What jobs could you get that you couldn't get with just an HLS degree?

[Blessedassurance]

Anyone do the joint with HKS? What jobs could you get that you couldn't get with just an HLS degree?

I think there's one guy doing that in this thread...

[tomwatts]

Anyone do the joint with HKS? What jobs could you get that you couldn't get with just an HLS degree?

I'm doing it. You're asking a question that's not going to get you much of an answer. There are some jobs that you actually need an MPP for, but they're pretty unusual. California's LAO wants MPPs (or MAs in Econ, or the like). There are a few others. There are pretty much no jobs that you need a JD/MPP for, although it probably helps if you're looking to do certain kinds of public interest work. But, while I guess this is shocking to most people who consider the program, I'm doing it for the education and the experience, not for the credential.

My favorite line from a JD/MPP about the combination: I got my job because of my JD, but I knew how to do my job because of my MPP. (I'm paraphrasing; he said it snappier.) That's how I'm approaching it.

The main reasons to do the JD/MPP are the greater access to HKS generally (the centers, the student life, the alumni network, the professors — there are some networking possibilities here that can lead to jobs, but that's not the main thing) and the greater access to the very best HKS electives, which are extremely good. There are some other nice things that come along with it, but I think those are the two great benefits.

[abcdefghijkl]

What would it be like for a married student? I will be married by the time I attend law school and am researching which schools have a good environment for couples.

[Eichörnchen]

Hey everyone, I've been meaning to ask if anyone knows of any good cycling in the area. I obviously saw lots of commuters and roadies around the area, but is there any close mountain or cross stuff? Or even some quiet rail trail types of things? I'm also getting pretty curious about rock climbing (I'm ignoring the fact that I have no upper body strength). Is there anything good for that nearby?

On a semi-related note, I just looked into the gym and all I have to say is that I am a bit wary after reading about reservations for ellipticals, etc and that the reservations are for 30 minutes (!). Is the gym really crowded in the morning?

[Doorkeeper]

What would it be like for a married student? I will be married by the time I attend law school and am researching which schools have a good environment for couples.

There are a lot of couples, and some married couples, at Harvard Law. It's not a problem for married couples to socialize with students if they want to do so.

[despina]

What would it be like for a married student? I will be married by the time I attend law school and am researching which schools have a good environment for couples.

I'm not sure how I would compare schools on this, but I know a number of married students at HLS, including several in my section. There are also quite a lot of people who are living with a partner, or engaged. All manage to be well-integrated into the social life of the campus, but I know it's certainly challenging to balance a serious partner with 1L, no matter where you go to school. HLS has a Couples Association which I think is aimed at helping partners of HLS students socialize and adjust, though I don't know much about it.

Hey everyone, I've been meaning to ask if anyone knows of any good cycling in the area. I obviously saw lots of commuters and roadies around the area, but is there any close mountain or cross stuff? Or even some quiet rail trail types of things? I'm also getting pretty curious about rock climbing (I'm ignoring the fact that I have no upper body strength). Is there anything good for that nearby?

There's a lovely rail trail called the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway that starts at Alewife (the last T stop on the red line, in Cambridge) and goes all the way out to Lexington. It also connects with several other bike paths. http://www.minutemanbikeway.org

Blue Hills Reservation is the closest place I know for mountain biking. It's just south of Boston, and you'd need a car to get there. --LinkRemoved--

A new climbing gym just opened in Somerville: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/bl ... is-spring/

Anyone do the joint with HKS? What jobs could you get that you couldn't get with just an HLS degree?

This also depends on your own background. If you already have a policy background, including some quantitative skills, then my understanding is that the HKS degree doesn't add much above the JD.

You should also keep in mind, if you're looking for LIPP-eligible jobs, that LIPP won't cover the entire cost of tuition and living for the extra year that you would be in school. LIPP will only cover $30,000 of undergrad debt AND extra joint-degree debt. Grant aid at HKS is very limited, so you would likely be looking at taking out a lot of non-LIPP-eligible loans.

[Searchparty]

What would it be like for a married student? I will be married by the time I attend law school and am researching which schools have a good environment for couples.

Hopefully it won't leave you with less financial aid and/or less LIPP assistance.

[Eichörnchen]

Hey everyone, I've been meaning to ask if anyone knows of any good cycling in the area. I obviously saw lots of commuters and roadies around the area, but is there any close mountain or cross stuff? Or even some quiet rail trail types of things? I'm also getting pretty curious about rock climbing (I'm ignoring the fact that I have no upper body strength). Is there anything good for that nearby?

There's a lovely rail trail called the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway that starts at Alewife (the last T stop on the red line, in Cambridge) and goes all the way out to Lexington. It also connects with several other bike paths. http://www.minutemanbikeway.org

Blue Hills Reservation is the closest place I know for mountain biking. It's just south of Boston, and you'd need a car to get there. --LinkRemoved--

A new climbing gym just opened in Somerville: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/bl ... is-spring/

Thanks for this info! Damn I wish that I could join that climbing gym but...I don't know if $100/month membership paid for with my loans would fall into the category of a "wise financial decision".

[gertie]

When do most students receive their refund? August or after classes start in September?

[Blessedassurance]

When do most students receive their refund? August or after classes start in September?

Early September.

[o0o0o0o]

When do most students receive their refund? August or after classes start in September?

Early September.

It'll be "around" September 6th according to the SFS person I asked.

[BelugaWhale]

median grades im pretty sure, any shot at quinn in DC? Pretty set on litigation, no spectacular softs.

For what its worth i think im decent at interviewing, just that not sure ill even be offered one.

on a related note: what should i be bidding on in terms of vault rankings for dc firms?