Harvard Student(s) Answering Your Questions Forum

[boslaw56]

Does anyone have any tips for cheap monthly parking in the area? I live in somerville, but not in an area where taking the T is convenient (would have to take 2 different buses, 40min+ vs. <10min driving).

It isn't unheard of to drive and then park on the Somerville side of the Somerville/Cambridge border. From the border, it's about a 10–12 minute walk.

ETA: Another idea is to find someone from the residential building that is directly across from WCC to rent you a spot.

Thanks! Any idea what the going rate is for the spots you mentioned?

[merrick_garland]

I'm interested in both the transactional law and cyberlaw clinics. I'm thinking I'd like to do one each semester of 2L, but I'm not sure how they stack up in terms of desirability, which could obviously affect my rankings. Anyone know anything about this? Also, is one clinic per semester in 2L a bad idea?

I really want to do both, but if I absolutley had to choose I'd probably go with cyberlaw, so I'm thinking I'll rank like this:
1. Cyb F
2. Trans S
3. Cyb S
4. Trans F

But I'm wondering if it would it make more sense to go:
1. Cyb F
2. Cyb S
3. Trans F
4. Trans S

Any input is appreciated

[blueberrycrumble]

I'm interested in both the transactional law and cyberlaw clinics. I'm thinking I'd like to do one each semester of 2L, but I'm not sure how they stack up in terms of desirability, which could obviously affect my rankings. Anyone know anything about this? Also, is one clinic per semester in 2L a bad idea?

I really want to do both, but if I absolutley had to choose I'd probably go with cyberlaw, so I'm thinking I'll rank like this:
1. Cyb F
2. Trans S
3. Cyb S
4. Trans F

But I'm wondering if it would it make more sense to go:
1. Cyb F
2. Cyb S
3. Trans F
4. Trans S

Any input is appreciated

I'm also interested in how popular the transactional clinic is. Do you have to put it #1 to have a chance of getting it? If you put it #1, is there a chance you still won't get it? Is Fall or Spring more popular than the other, or about the same in popularity?

Thanks!

[in the process]

Sorry to interrupt the clinics conversations.

Just a quick question re visiting profs and LPs-Do they give them?

Trip or anyone else have solid info on this?

[TripTrip]

Sorry to interrupt the clinics conversations.

Just a quick question re visiting profs and LPs-Do they give them?

Trip or anyone else have solid info on this?

Yes, at approximately the same distribution as other professors.

Depending on what section you're in, the conventional wisdom will either be that they give more LPs so Academic Affairs likes them or fewer because they need special DOS permission to give LPs. However, in 1L classes the curve is pretty set regardless of the professor; the conventional wisdom is misleading.

[foxes]

some clinics say that you can pick either 3, 4, or 5 clinical credits...what does that mean, exactly? you have to commit more hours to the clinic? pros/cons?

[robotrick]

Clinics are meant to be 1 credit per (now) 4 hours of work per week. From what I've heard, choosing a lower credit amount may be a disservice because students often end up working more hours than intended. This might either be because they're bad at turning down work, they can't get anything meaningful done in 10 or 12 hours/week, or because they like it and are willing to spend more time on it.

I think 4 credits is the sweet spot if you can allocate 2 full days to it in your schedule, and especially if you need to travel. 3 credits would require at least 2 days of work/travel anyway and 5 would push you to a third day. I might make a different call if I could work remotely.

[ValeVale]

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[ValeVale]

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[wwwcol]

Curious question about EIP- if your grades are around median (3H-7P) how unlikely/likely is it that you'll secure a DC job at EIP?

Are the firms with bigger class sizes more accessible to people with more median-like grades, or are they simply more popular and competitive?

You should read the EIP threads for a fuller discussion but my first reaction is there arn't really any DC firms with large classes (other than Covington, which is very selective). the distribution of class sizes is bimodal with a lot of firms around 25 and a lot aeound 10. They all tend to be grade conscious (to varying degrees, but 3H is probably not gonna cut it anywhere). In other words there arnt really any firms where large class will let you slip in as a mediocre applicant.

Others may have more thoughts on this

[TripTrip]

If I were manually writing an algorithm to predict students who would leave EIP with zero offers from the regression analysis I have, one specific risk category would be students with fewer than 5 Hs bidding exclusively DC.

If you do bid DC, at least reserve half your bids for safeties in another city.

[ValeVale]

Well, thanks for the advice. A little discouraging to say the least.

[TripTrip]

Well, thanks for the advice. A little discouraging to say the least.

That isn't to say don't bid DC if that's what you want! Just be aware that it's competitive. Students with mediocre grades still get DC, it's just more of an uphill battle.

[Indifference]

So this is for TripTrip, and not meant to be pushy, just echoing an earlier question wondering when (if at all) a course catalog update for next year might be coming.

[-lemonlyman-]

Prospective student for Class of 2019 here. After some discussion in the Class of 2019 thread, it was suggested that with the first admitted student weekend about to take place and the next just a couple weeks away, we should try to gather some different perspectives to round out what we will be hearing about at these events.

So, to get the conversation going: current students, what should we know about HLS that we probably won't hear at ASW?
What advice can you give for those who decide to attend HLS that we won't hear at ASW?
What classes would be best to sit in on if we get the chance after HLS weekend? What should we look out for? (I heard good advice from someone in another thread - you won't understand what the class if covering, so pay attention to the students themselves and their engagement with the class / material - do you agree with this?)
Are we going to annoy you by observing classes this close to the end of semester / what can we do to make sure we disrupt you guys as little as possible? (Obviously don't be the 0L who volunteers to answer a question I'm guessing...)

[foxes]

Prospective student for Class of 2019 here. After some discussion in the Class of 2019 thread, it was suggested that with the first admitted student weekend about to take place and the next just a couple weeks away, we should try to gather some different perspectives to round out what we will be hearing about at these events.

So, to get the conversation going: current students, what should we know about HLS that we probably won't hear at ASW?
What advice can you give for those who decide to attend HLS that we won't hear at ASW?
What classes would be best to sit in on if we get the chance after HLS weekend? What should we look out for? (I heard good advice from someone in another thread - you won't understand what the class if covering, so pay attention to the students themselves and their engagement with the class / material - do you agree with this?)
Are we going to annoy you by observing classes this close to the end of semester / what can we do to make sure we disrupt you guys as little as possible? (Obviously don't be the 0L who volunteers to answer a question I'm guessing...)

the first two questions are really broad and i for one can't remember a thing about asw anyway. i'd suggest coming back with any specific q's you have after asw.

i'd sit in on a core 1L class e.g. torts, leg reg, crim, contracts, civ pro, etc. if you want to get an overview of what the vast majority of your 1L will look like. tbh though im not sure how valuable this is as the quality of the class and the engagement of the students is basically 100% dependent on the prof.

um i dont see why you'd annoy anyone unless you do something obnoxious like yes, raising your hand to answer a question, or talking in class. also, try to sit in the last row towards the doors if you can, so a) you can avoid sitting in someone elses seat and b) everyone doesn't whip around to stare at you when you go to the bathroom etc.

to be honest, take it easy...you guys sound a little wound up lol. you'll have so much to stress about during 1L i'd just kick back and enjoy the free shit for now. you're not going to hear anything groundbreaking at asw.

eta: one thing you won't hear about is the ice cream vending machine under lewis...it is glorious. i wish i'd discovered it way sooner. though i can't find the one everyone talks about under pound.

eta2: i just had a look at your class of 2019 thread and see that a few current students were in there alluding to what's going on on campus right now w/r/t reclaim etc. if that's what you meant by "what we won't hear at asw," then i echo their suggestion that you make the time to talk to a some current students about it. to answer a question i saw in the other thread, though, no, i don't think it's something that should actively dissuade you from coming here.

[TripTrip]

So this is for TripTrip, and not meant to be pushy, just echoing an earlier question wondering when (if at all) a course catalog update for next year might be coming.

I know I'm a little behind. I've been working with the administration to help phase myself out. Catherine Claypoole and Lisa Burns have done (and are still doing) a lot of work to make the actual course registration and feedback tools more like HLS Dope. For example: the official course catalog now contains exam mode information and is easier to search by date and time, and course evaluations are supposed to be replaced next year with something more logical and easier to use.

For this registration term, I'm just going to make the survey results searchable instead of releasing a catalog. I plan to do that this weekend.

[MyNameIsFlynn!]

foxes, lemon's post was prompted in part by a discussion in the ASW thread about how the pro/anti-Reclaim activity on campus should factor into prospective students' decision-making process if at all. A couple opinions were voiced there but I'm sure prospective students are looking for more, and fuller, perspectives on what is going on.

[foxes]

foxes, lemon's post was prompted in part by a discussion in the ASW thread about how the pro/anti-Reclaim activity on campus should factor into prospective students' decision-making process if at all. A couple opinions were voiced there but I'm sure prospective students are looking for more, and fuller, perspectives on what is going on.

Yeah i belatedly realized this is what he was alluding to my bad

[robotrick]

Prospective student for Class of 2019 here. After some discussion in the Class of 2019 thread, it was suggested that with the first admitted student weekend about to take place and the next just a couple weeks away, we should try to gather some different perspectives to round out what we will be hearing about at these events.

So, to get the conversation going: current students, what should we know about HLS that we probably won't hear at ASW?
What advice can you give for those who decide to attend HLS that we won't hear at ASW?
What classes would be best to sit in on if we get the chance after HLS weekend? What should we look out for? (I heard good advice from someone in another thread - you won't understand what the class if covering, so pay attention to the students themselves and their engagement with the class / material - do you agree with this?)
Are we going to annoy you by observing classes this close to the end of semester / what can we do to make sure we disrupt you guys as little as possible? (Obviously don't be the 0L who volunteers to answer a question I'm guessing...)

Generally, I think the value of ASW is more of a subjective, gut-feeling thing. See if students seem happy and if they're the kind of people you could be friends with; see if the campus and surrounding area feels like a place you could spend 3 years. No specific questions will reveal these things, nor will observation of any class. One specific warning I could give would be not to discount money from other schools too heavily. At my ASW - I don't know if they still do this - the fin aid office put on some insanely facile presentation on how Harvard is the best financial choice even if you get a scholarship at a lower ranked school. It was gross. Don't be hoodwinked by that.

As for the Reclaim movement and it's opposition, I don't think it should matter at all unless you're really interested in joining them or you believe that somehow the culture here toward people of color is appreciably worse than at other top schools (I would doubt this). Otherwise it's a non-factor in my book.

[Single-Malt-Liquor]

The most telling factor about whether or not you'll like HLS is how you feel the morning after a couple of scorpion bowls at the Kong. You should feel regret and pain. Also, dont just ask about law review and stuff like that. You're already in and there will be time to gun later. Your time is much better spent finding out what the burn-outs are doing with their 2/3L years. Because I promise you, there's like a 95% chance that by the time 3L hits you'll be over law school and trying to figure out how to chill you're way to the finish line.

With that said, try to meet Professor Nesson, he will show you the path, but you my friends must have the courage to take it.

When is ASW BTW? I've yet to receive the "There will be a lot of lost people around this weekend" email from the dean.

[foxes]

Lol I think it's going on literally right now judging by the tons of ppl wandering around the wcc. Also wtf theyre giving away free totes by the coop, I did not get a free tote :/

[-lemonlyman-]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond so far.

There is an ASW going on right now, there is also a second one on the 16th-17th with class observation on the schedule for the 18th (they haven't given us any specific choices yet).

My post was prompted by the discussion in the C/O 2019 thread, it's good to hear all your thoughts on it. I agree it shouldn't dissuade anyone from going to HLS. Also glad that it seems you can avoid it if you want, but that a conversation is happening at all and you can be engaged with it if you choose. My undergrad had a few similar issues come up when I was there, but the administration basically just tried to squash any conversation whatsoever...which went about as well as you'd expect and just created more controversy...

I didn't mean for my question to be limited to that issue though. Like robotrick brought up with the financial aid presentation and single-malt-liquor brought up more generally, I think it is important to go into ASW aware that Harvard is trying to sell you on the school, so we're really only going to hear the positives. So, I think besides asking other students during the rush of ASW, you guys might be able to give me and any other prospective students who may chime in with their own questions a much more balanced portrayal of your experiences so far.

Thanks again for those already posting and anyone else who gives their own thoughts.

[throwaway_]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond so far.

There is an ASW going on right now, there is also a second one on the 16th-17th with class observation on the schedule for the 18th (they haven't given us any specific choices yet).

My post was prompted by the discussion in the C/O 2019 thread, it's good to hear all your thoughts on it. I agree it shouldn't dissuade anyone from going to HLS. Also glad that it seems you can avoid it if you want, but that a conversation is happening at all and you can be engaged with it if you choose. My undergrad had a few similar issues come up when I was there, but the administration basically just tried to squash any conversation whatsoever...which went about as well as you'd expect and just created more controversy...

I didn't mean for my question to be limited to that issue though. Like robotrick brought up with the financial aid presentation and single-malt-liquor brought up more generally, I think it is important to go into ASW aware that Harvard is trying to sell you on the school, so we're really only going to hear the positives. So, I think besides asking other students during the rush of ASW, you guys might be able to give me and any other prospective students who may chime in with their own questions a much more balanced portrayal of your experiences so far.

Thanks again for those already posting and anyone else who gives their own thoughts.

Having spoken to a bunch of 0Ls about HLS recently, my sincere advice really is to take the effort to come up with actual, meaningful questions.

When I've been open-endedly asked about my time at HLS, I give the honest response that I really like it and don't regret the decision at all. I realize that that's not helpful at all, but I can't give a specific response if I don't know what your specific concerns are, or at least where you're coming from prior to law school. You probably have an instinct about what issues matter to you when picking a law school (or whether to go to law school at all) -- cost? location? size? actual job outcomes? But asking broadly about "things I wouldn't otherwise be told," IMO, is either going to elicit responses that are banal (basement ice cream machines, although they are awesome) or, worse still, off-the-cuff responses that are probably unrepresentative of the actual HLS experience.

[leslieknope]

What's realistic to pay for a 2br? I'm willing to live up to a mile away from campus- is 2400-2500 about what I should expect to pay?