Harvard Student(s) Answering Your Questions Forum

[tomwatts]

Which dorm is the best? North seems ideal since it's newer than the others (right?) and you can have your own bathroom, but are the smaller rooms in North really small? Are the rooms in Gropius and Hastings really old? What is the social scene like in each of the dorms? Thanks!

The only unqualified disadvantage of North is the price (it's significantly more expensive than Gropius and somewhat more than Hastings).

North is, I'm told, less social than Gropius or Hastings. You do get your own bathroom, and there's not much in the way of common study area (except in the bottom floor), so you have very little reason to interact with others in your building, whereas in Gropius, just about everything is communal.

The rooms in North are relatively big and nice. They look exactly like converted economy hotel rooms, because they are. It's a couple of blocks off campus, whereas Hastings and Gropius are literally seconds from class. There are more LL.M.s and S.J.D.s (mostly foreign students doing Masters or doctoral degrees here); Gropius at least is dominated by 1Ls, with a handful of 2Ls/3Ls and LL.M.s/S.J.D.s.

There are various other comments about the dorms on pages 15-17 of this topic.

[sarahh]

Can someone comment on TF-ing undergrad classes? How common is it? Is it a pretty easy job to get? What classes do people most frequently TF? Etc....

I have seen a few postings in the administrative updates. I don't know anyone who does it. Not sure if it is common. Starting as a 2L, you can be a BSA (basically a TF for LRW class) and get paid for that.

[dean159]

I'm almost certainly going to be attending Harvard in the fall and lately I've been considering possibly applying for the joint degree with the KSG in my 1L year. I'm interested as to how most students view the joint degree as I've read in a few places that an MPP doesn't really open any more doors that you couldn't already access with a JD, especially from somewhere like Harvard. I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

[splbagel]

I'm almost certainly going to be attending Harvard in the fall and lately I've been considering possibly applying for the joint degree with the KSG in my 1L year. I'm interested as to how most students view the joint degree as I've read in a few places that an MPP doesn't really open any more doors that you couldn't already access with a JD, especially from somewhere like Harvard. I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

I'm considering a dual JD/MPP as well. In the process of researching this, I've spoken with a number of professors and professionals. It seems like if you want to be a private sector attorney, there's probably no point in doing the MPP. But it might be advantageous in the public/non-profit sector and academia, especially for positions involving policy analysis and or legislative advocacy.

[concurrent fork]

I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

If you are interested in going to a firm, I don't see how a dual JD/MPP will be of any value. I expect that it could actually hurt you at OCI, since it suggests you may not be interested in going to a firm after graduation (granted, this is speculation as I don't know any JD/MPP candidates who participated in OCI).

[094320]

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[tomwatts]

I'm almost certainly going to be attending Harvard in the fall and lately I've been considering possibly applying for the joint degree with the KSG in my 1L year. I'm interested as to how most students view the joint degree as I've read in a few places that an MPP doesn't really open any more doors that you couldn't already access with a JD, especially from somewhere like Harvard. I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

The direct "why on earth would you do that if you were going to work at a firm?" answer has already been given, but I'd add that if you want to do public interest (especially government), it may confer some benefit. Notably, you get three summers, so you have to chance to get more work experience. You have four years of classes and extracurriculars to develop expertise in some subject area, which can help.

More specific things could be said by someone more knowledgeable than I.

[dean159]

I'm almost certainly going to be attending Harvard in the fall and lately I've been considering possibly applying for the joint degree with the KSG in my 1L year. I'm interested as to how most students view the joint degree as I've read in a few places that an MPP doesn't really open any more doors that you couldn't already access with a JD, especially from somewhere like Harvard. I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

The direct "why on earth would you do that if you were going to work at a firm?" answer has already been given, but I'd add that if you want to do public interest (especially government), it may confer some benefit. Notably, you get three summers, so you have to chance to get more work experience. You have four years of classes and extracurriculars to develop expertise in some subject area, which can help.

More specific things could be said by someone more knowledgeable than I.

I probably should have been a bit clearer with my initial question and I'm sorry for any confusion. I definitely get that there's no point getting an MPP for work in a firm and I am interested in possibly doing work for a national or international governmental organization. My question about OCI was more a general question about how doing an extra year would work in regards to applying for summer positions in my second summer, not just firms. I assume you'd do a similar type of internship to a 1L internship in that summer and then apply for the SA positions (or their public service equivalent) in the summer after your 3rd year.

The reason for some of my concerns about the usefulness of the MPP comes from what I've read in articles like this http://drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/ ... ing_a_list which seem to suggest that the KSG is perceived as not particularly rigorous relative to a JD. If that's the case and I would have a similar chance of getting some of these public service positions with just the JD, then it wouldn't be worth spending the extra time and accruing all the extra debt just for a few extra letters after my name.

[XxMVPxX]

I'm almost certainly going to be attending Harvard in the fall and lately I've been considering possibly applying for the joint degree with the KSG in my 1L year. I'm interested as to how most students view the joint degree as I've read in a few places that an MPP doesn't really open any more doors that you couldn't already access with a JD, especially from somewhere like Harvard. I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

Assuming you already got in, I'm just wondering, how are you perceived by your friends and family now that you are going to Harvard law school? I feel like if I were to get in there I'd feel like a local celebrity of sorts, do you mention it a lot to people you meet or use it when arguing with friends once in a while? I feel like it would quadruple the size of my ego.

EDIT - anyone who has been admitted, is a current student, or an alum can feel free to answer as well.

[englawyer]

I'm almost certainly going to be attending Harvard in the fall and lately I've been considering possibly applying for the joint degree with the KSG in my 1L year. I'm interested as to how most students view the joint degree as I've read in a few places that an MPP doesn't really open any more doors that you couldn't already access with a JD, especially from somewhere like Harvard. I'd also be interested to know whether any of you are aware as to how the joint degree would affect chances at OCI etc.

Assuming you already got in, I'm just wondering, how are you perceived by your friends and family now that you are going to Harvard law school? I feel like if I were to get in there I'd feel like a local celebrity of sorts, do you mention it a lot to people you meet or use it when arguing with friends once in a while? I feel like it would quadruple the size of my ego.

EDIT - anyone who has been admitted, is a current student, or an alum can feel free to answer as well.

no. there is some kind of "success" vibe/image you get but you will not mention it a lot and would certainly never cite your Harvard status to win an argument. you would quickly lose those friends for being a douche

[094320]

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[XxMVPxX]

If you need to cite going to hls to win an argument you must either have a horrible argument or weak persuasive skills.

I mean more like in a joking matter like "sorry, I go to Harvard law so I think I would know" or something stupid like that.

I just feel like going to Harvard law would give you bragging rights over everyone you know. Not saying you would ever rub it in anyone's face but that you could if you wanted and they'd have no argument.

[kulshan]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

[094320]

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[thederangedwang]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

+1...it sucks now actually cause whenever i screw up and/or say something stupid my friends will say "and YOU got into harvard" followed by a

[XxMVPxX]

Harvard has, in my opinion, a very undeserved reputation for being full of people who are full of themselves. In reality, a lot of people are down to earth and humble, though there is an annoying minority who reinforces that reputation. I think it's wise to be cognizant of that reputation, and to make an effort to defray it.

I used to get really upset in undergrad on the rare occasion where I heard of someone making really rather elitist remarks ("He suggested I was jealous of her, but why would I be jealous? I go to an Ivy and she went to a state school"). It ruins it for the rest of us. So, while I suppose it depends somewhat on the context, I'd be rather disapproving of HLS students who took that attitude.

True, I think most people assume Harvard students are something like the Winklevoss twins in Social Network. If the people like that are a small minority than it's a shame such a small number of people give thousands a bad name.

[kulshan]

+1...it sucks now actually cause whenever i screw up and/or say something stupid my friends will say "and YOU got into harvard" followed by a

This.

[freestallion]

+1...it sucks now actually cause whenever i screw up and/or say something stupid my friends will say "and YOU got into harvard" followed by a

This.

+1000

[ignatiusr]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

Yeah, I've been surprised by how sheepish I am about going to HLS when someone prods me about it. I think, because of the (pre-)(mis-)conceptions about Harvard students being elitist/condescending, there is a certain faction of people--usually acquaintances rather than close friends--who measure your words very carefully when you talk about Harvard, just waiting for you to say something that they can construe as smug or bragging. Or, alternatively, I may just be paranoid.

[splbagel]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

Yeah, I've been surprised by how sheepish I am about going to HLS when someone prods me about it. I think, because of the (pre-)(mis-)conceptions about Harvard students being elitist/condescending, there is a certain faction of people--usually acquaintances rather than close friends--who measure your words very carefully when you talk about Harvard, just waiting for you to say something that they can construe as smug or bragging. Or, alternatively, I may just be paranoid.

I'm totally with you on this.

[euskadi]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

Yeah, I've been surprised by how sheepish I am about going to HLS when someone prods me about it. I think, because of the (pre-)(mis-)conceptions about Harvard students being elitist/condescending, there is a certain faction of people--usually acquaintances rather than close friends--who measure your words very carefully when you talk about Harvard, just waiting for you to say something that they can construe as smug or bragging. Or, alternatively, I may just be paranoid.

I'm totally with you on this.

Add one more to the group. Ignatiusr couldn't have said it any better, and (s)he explains perfectly how I've felt since being admitted. I don't much appreciate the conclusions that people draw off of one minor accomplishment (admission) - I'd like for people to be interested in me for being a decent guy.

[kilgoretrout66]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

Yeah, I've been surprised by how sheepish I am about going to HLS when someone prods me about it. I think, because of the (pre-)(mis-)conceptions about Harvard students being elitist/condescending, there is a certain faction of people--usually acquaintances rather than close friends--who measure your words very carefully when you talk about Harvard, just waiting for you to say something that they can construe as smug or bragging. Or, alternatively, I may just be paranoid.

Same here, though I`ve realized that in many instances the only thing douchier than dropping the `H-bomb` is trying too hard to avoid saying the words `Harvard Law School.` Excessive embarrassment can come across as another form braggery

All in all a good problem to have, though

[ignatiusr]

I've had the opposite happen a few times now. I'll be discussing something and other people jokingly say, "oh, well you got into Harvard, so..." It's sort of embarrassing :S

Yeah, I've been surprised by how sheepish I am about going to HLS when someone prods me about it. I think, because of the (pre-)(mis-)conceptions about Harvard students being elitist/condescending, there is a certain faction of people--usually acquaintances rather than close friends--who measure your words very carefully when you talk about Harvard, just waiting for you to say something that they can construe as smug or bragging. Or, alternatively, I may just be paranoid.

Same here, though I`ve realized that in many instances the only thing douchier than dropping the `H-bomb` is trying too hard to avoid saying the words `Harvard Law School.` Excessive embarrassment can come across as another form braggery

All in all a good problem to have, though

I heard second-hand that, when one of the attorneys in my office heard I'd gotten into HLS, he shouted across the room "He got into Harvard? That DOUCHEBAG." I think he was at least partially joking, but it's still more evidence of why I'm reluctant to broach the subject.

[sharktankdean]

I was wondering if any of the current students have had a talk with some of the dean sand know how the HELD process works.

Do they really just put our files aside until a certain time or do they continue to evaluate the group and divide the group into its various subgroups (held-admit, held-WL, etc)
Also when it comes to LOCIs are they read when they come in or do they just put them in your file until they are ready to look into the hold pile?

Any successful held-admit people out there? What do you think you did that helped your app?

Thanks!

[094320]

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