Harvard C/O 2019 Forum

[gamerish]

Are you supposed to be able to file for fin aid as soon as your get your HUID and set up your pin, or is there something else I have to wait for? I'd check for myself whether or not it would let me file but I'm not at a computer at the moment.

[curious bobcat]

Are you supposed to be able to file for fin aid as soon as your get your HUID and set up your pin, or is there something else I have to wait for? I'd check for myself whether or not it would let me file but I'm not at a computer at the moment.

Before you actually begin your app, you have to fill out the preliminary FA form that decides what docs/info they need from you. You can find these instructions and the app here: https://myfaid.law.harvard.edu/NetPartn ... nerStudent

Once that goes complete, a new tab opens up where you can start submitting things.

[gamerish]

Are you supposed to be able to file for fin aid as soon as your get your HUID and set up your pin, or is there something else I have to wait for? I'd check for myself whether or not it would let me file but I'm not at a computer at the moment.

Before you actually begin your app, you have to fill out the preliminary FA form that decides what docs/info they need from you. You can find these instructions and the app here: https://myfaid.law.harvard.edu/NetPartn ... nerStudent

Once that goes complete, a new tab opens up where you can start submitting things.

Can't activate the account so I guess I've got a bit more waiting to do.

Thank you!

[jasmine138]

Hello everyone, so thrilled to join this thread!

I hope this is the right place to ask, but I want to get some advice about deferring enrollment. I am hoping to defer a year before starting at HLS, but I am not sure about how to go about the timing of my deferral request. I know that in order to submit my defer request, I need to first commit to HLS and withdraw all my apps. I am still waiting on four law schools and would prefer to know all my results before I commit, although I am pretty sure I will be attending HLS. On the admitted student website, it says that I need to submit the request as soon as possible, although the deadline is May 1. I am wondering whether it would be a bad idea to wait until I know all my results and submit the request right around May 1, which may lower my chances of being granted a deferral. My reasons for deferring aren't that compelling (language studies, traveling, potentially an internship with a government/NGO organization) so I am not sure whether it would be a good idea to wait. Any advice would be appreciated!!

[gamerish]

Hello everyone, so thrilled to join this thread!

I hope this is the right place to ask, but I want to get some advice about deferring enrollment. I am hoping to defer a year before starting at HLS, but I am not sure about how to go about the timing of my deferral request. I know that in order to submit my defer request, I need to first commit to HLS and withdraw all my apps. I am still waiting on four law schools and would prefer to know all my results before I commit, although I am pretty sure I will be attending HLS. On the admitted student website, it says that I need to submit the request as soon as possible, although the deadline in May 1. I am wondering whether it would be a bad idea to wait until I know all my results and submit the request right around May 1, which may lower my chances of being granted a deferment. My reasons for deferring aren't that compelling (language studies, traveling, potentially an internship with a government/NGO organization) so I am not sure whether it would be a good idea to wait. Any advice would be appreciated!!

I'd imagine that you'd probably have all of your decisions before May 1st. A lot of schools have a self-imposed deadline for giving out all decisions (sans people already on a WL) by mid-April. So, were I you, I'd wait a couple more weeks. I would check each school's policy re: decisions dates before deciding either way though.

[earthabides]

Anyone seeing long processing times for documents? It would make sense just want to make sure my documents haven't been lost. According to US Post my college certification arrived at Harvard last wednesday but it isn't showing up on the status checker.

[jasmine138]

Hello everyone, so thrilled to join this thread!

I hope this is the right place to ask, but I want to get some advice about deferring enrollment. I am hoping to defer a year before starting at HLS, but I am not sure about how to go about the timing of my deferral request. I know that in order to submit my defer request, I need to first commit to HLS and withdraw all my apps. I am still waiting on four law schools and would prefer to know all my results before I commit, although I am pretty sure I will be attending HLS. On the admitted student website, it says that I need to submit the request as soon as possible, although the deadline in May 1. I am wondering whether it would be a bad idea to wait until I know all my results and submit the request right around May 1, which may lower my chances of being granted a deferment. My reasons for deferring aren't that compelling (language studies, traveling, potentially an internship with a government/NGO organization) so I am not sure whether it would be a good idea to wait. Any advice would be appreciated!!

I'd imagine that you'd probably have all of your decisions before May 1st. A lot of schools have a self-imposed deadline for giving out all decisions (sans people already on a WL) by mid-April. So, were I you, I'd wait a couple more weeks. I would check each school's policy re: decisions dates before deciding either way though.

Thanks for the reply! I think I will wait at least until early April and see if I hear back from most places by then. I should check on all the deadlines as you mentioned though - really appreciate it!

[Oskosh]

Also w/r/t travel stipends: I received a confirmation from sfs granting me a $300 travel stipend due to need and distance from cambridge.

[gamerish]

Also w/r/t travel stipends: I received a confirmation from sfs granting me a $300 travel stipend due to need and distance from cambridge.

How long did it take you to get a response? I emailed 1L2B and the admissions office almost a week ago and haven't heard anything back.

[maracuya]

.

[WinterComing]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

[curious bobcat]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

100%. I'm taking HLS over a Dillard, which seems to be starkly against TLS consensus. Will report back in 5 years whether it was a grave mistake.

[Hildegard15]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

[mdnyc]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

Agree. Also, one thing CCN doesn't do? Give admits free books signed by the author. Got mine today.

[grgregregre]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

Agree. Also, one thing CCN doesn't do? Give admires free books signed by the author. Got mine today.

Can someone give a synopsis of the anti-Harvard arguments being made?

[curious bobcat]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

Agree. Also, one thing CCN doesn't do? Give admires free books signed by the author. Got mine today.

Can someone give a synopsis of the anti-Harvard arguments being made?

Difference between HLS and other T14s is not worth giving up tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars of scholarship. 0Ls are bad judge of this value because they are blinded by lay prestige.

[mdnyc]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

Agree. Also, one thing CCN doesn't do? Give admires free books signed by the author. Got mine today.

Can someone give a synopsis of the anti-Harvard arguments being made?

The core of it is a significant scholarship at CCN gives you nearly the same chances at BigLaw and PI as a JD from HYS would, AND you come out with significantly less debt. So, say the critics, why pay thousands of dollars more for brand?

My counter is that HYS offer a much larger potential upside: SCOTUS clerkships, political/campaign gigs, other high profile opportunities. If you're good enough to get a Hamilton, say, then you're good enough to land one of these jobs. And if you do so, exceedingly high future income or LIPP will mitigate some of the additional debt.

[WinterComing]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

Agree. Also, one thing CCN doesn't do? Give admires free books signed by the author. Got mine today.

Can someone give a synopsis of the anti-Harvard arguments being made?

The basic argument is this: In probably 80 percent of cases, the person who pays $250,000 to go to Harvard and the person who pays nothing to go to CCN will end up with the same Big Law job anyway, but the CCN person will be $250,000 richer. Also, when they both realize they hate Big Law after two years, the CCN person can quit but the Harvard person can't because of loans. They'll have to keep slaving away just to get their net worth back to $0. Also, paying $3,000 a month on a loan payment makes a serious impact on your quality of life and mental health.

As for the additional "doors" that Harvard opens—clerkships, academia, other unicorn jobs—those are hugely dependent on grades. Somebody at the top of the class at Harvard or Columbia has a chance. Somebody at median at either probably doesn't. You can be slightly lower in the class at Harvard and still have a shot, but is that worth $250,000? And anyway, those things are easier to get from Yale.

[WinterComing]

This might open a can of worms, but does it seem to you guys like the Choosing forum is a little over the top in its anti-Harvard bias? I mean, I get the idea that if you have a full-ride to CCN, taking on the debt for H at sticker probably doesn't make sense. And sure, Y and S are often better choices than H, if you're lucky enough to get into all three. But having read through way too many threads (like five years' worth), it seems like the people on that board basically never recommend Harvard under any circumstances.

I agree that they can be a bit vehement in their anti Harvard advice, and it does put me off at times. However, I do appreciate it still, cuz if I end up picking Harvard, I will at least have been made aware of a lot of the consequences which I may not otherwise have realized.

Agree. Also, one thing CCN doesn't do? Give admires free books signed by the author. Got mine today.

Can someone give a synopsis of the anti-Harvard arguments being made?

The core of it is a significant scholarship at CCN gives you nearly the same chances at BigLaw and PI as a JD from HYS would, AND you come out with significantly less debt. So, say the critics, why pay thousands of dollars more for brand?

My counter is that HYS offer a much larger potential upside: SCOTUS clerkships, political/campaign gigs, other high profile opportunities. If you're good enough to get a Hamilton, say, then you're good enough to land one of these jobs. And if you do so, exceedingly high future income or LIPP will mitigate some of the additional debt.

To which the Choosing Forum lawyers would say:

1. Even at Harvard, your chance of getting a Supreme Court clerkship is less than 1 percent, so no one should make their law school decision based on that.
2. No one should go to law school to get into politics. Only go to law school if you want to be a lawyer.
3. Hamilton or no, it's impossible to predict your law school performance and you should assume you'll end up at median.

*I should say, I don't necessarily subscribe to all of these arguments. I'm just the messenger.

[mdnyc]

Can someone give a synopsis of the anti-Harvard arguments being made?

The core of it is a significant scholarship at CCN gives you nearly the same chances at BigLaw and PI as a JD from HYS would, AND you come out with significantly less debt. So, say the critics, why pay thousands of dollars more for brand?

My counter is that HYS offer a much larger potential upside: SCOTUS clerkships, political/campaign gigs, other high profile opportunities. If you're good enough to get a Hamilton, say, then you're good enough to land one of these jobs. And if you do so, exceedingly high future income or LIPP will mitigate some of the additional debt.

To which the Choosing Forum lawyers would say:

1. Even at Harvard, your chance of getting a Supreme Court clerkship is less than 1 percent, so no one should make their law school decision based on that.
2. No one should go to law school to get into politics. Only go to law school if you want to be a lawyer.
3. Hamilton or no, it's impossible to predict your law school performance and you should assume you'll end up at median.

*I should say, I don't necessarily subscribe to all of these arguments. I'm just the messenger.

(2) is correct. I fell into the "But Josh Lyman went to Harvard Law" trap. -5 TLS points from me.

As for 1 & 3, I had a rebuttal written, but I think it's more succinct to say those folks and the lucky few who turn down a named scholarship for HYS have different values, career goals and risk tolerances. Full disclosure: I am not one of those lucky few.

[tflan19]

Question - do we have the agenda for the ASWs anywhere yet? trying to figure out if I want to fly in on the morning of the 1st or the night before.

[Oskosh]

Question - do we have the agenda for the ASWs anywhere yet? trying to figure out if I want to fly in on the morning of the 1st or the night before.

They are online on the admitted students' website

[lawstud24]

Am I understanding LIPP correctly, that even if we do corporate law first for a couple of years and earn a significant amount of money, we can still switch to PI/gov and qualify for LIPP? I read in a different place that the best choice financially is to do corporate law, pay the minimum toward loans, save a nest egg, then go to PI/gov and eventually have your loans forgiven after ten years (assuming low enough income). Is this true, or am I missing some kind of catch?
On LIPP's website: "Graduates may enter LIPP at any time after graduation if their job, debt, and income qualify"

[Tls2016]

Am I understanding LIPP correctly, that even if we do corporate law first for a couple of years and earn a significant amount of money, we can still switch to PI/gov and qualify for LIPP? I read in a different place that the best choice financially is to do corporate law, pay the minimum toward loans, save a nest egg, then go to PI/gov and eventually have your loans forgiven after ten years (assuming low enough income). Is this true, or am I missing some kind of catch?
On LIPP's website: "Graduates may enter LIPP at any time after graduation if their job, debt, and income qualify"

Where did you read this? You are the second person I've seen suggest it.
Doesn't LIPP at Harvard consider your assets?
http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/sfs/lipp/assets-in-lipp/

How likely is it to go from biglaw corporate to PI/gov?
Edit to add:
At any event, ask the LIPP counselor. It's too complicated to guess at as a student and be wrong. The other student considering this was at Michigan and found out, apparently, her debt would be too low to qualify, though it isn't clear why.

http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/sfs/lipp/pa ... tribution/

[jtg21]

Am I understanding LIPP correctly, that even if we do corporate law first for a couple of years and earn a significant amount of money, we can still switch to PI/gov and qualify for LIPP? I read in a different place that the best choice financially is to do corporate law, pay the minimum toward loans, save a nest egg, then go to PI/gov and eventually have your loans forgiven after ten years (assuming low enough income). Is this true, or am I missing some kind of catch?
On LIPP's website: "Graduates may enter LIPP at any time after graduation if their job, debt, and income qualify"

Where did you read this?
Doesn't LIPP at Harvard consider your assets?
How likely is it to go from biglaw corporate to PI/gov?

LIPP considers assets above a certain threshold. I don't know the exact cutoff, but you can still qualify for LIPP after corporate law, depending on your income to loan debt ratio and whatever assets you have above the threshold.