Harvard, C/O 2017, Applicants Thread (2013-2014) Forum

[lawschool22]

kazooie says that he or she has a negative soft and maybe didn't have a good enough explanation for it in the interview? For the next month, I'm going to constantly come up with excuses for why that's not going to happen to me because I'm a special snowflake.

Sounds like a plan. I'll join you.

[applelover]

Whats going on with the spreadsheet. I can't see everyones stuff.

[lawschool22]

Whats going on with the spreadsheet. I can't see everyones stuff.

Someone had a filter on. Fixed.

[applelover]

Whats going on with the spreadsheet. I can't see everyones stuff.

Someone had a filter on. Fixed.

I wish people would change filters back when they're done.

[lawschool22]

Whats going on with the spreadsheet. I can't see everyones stuff.

Someone had a filter on. Fixed.

I wish people would change filters back when they're done.

You and me both .

[drawstring]

So, JS2's tomorrow or not?

[wtrc]

So, JS2's tomorrow or not?

I'm starting to think Friday or Monday...

[applelover]

So, JS2's tomorrow or not?

I'm starting to think Friday or Monday...

[turtles]

for the last three years a wave of decisions has come out on the monday two weeks from thanksgiving. i see no reason why this year would be dissimilar

[TheMostDangerousLG]

I'mma guess next Monday.

[applelover]

I hate that thanksgiving was so late

[ShrimpToastMasters]

i want to know if i'm getting a JS1

[dubster101]

Is there a thread where people discuss their JS1 experiences/questions and how to best prepare? I've been searching for a while but can't find it (if it exists). Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

[illyria]

Is there a thread where people discuss their JS1 experiences/questions and how to best prepare? I've been searching for a while but can't find it (if it exists). Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

I've looked through this thread and PM'ed a few people who already had their JS1, and they have all been very helpful!
I don't think there's a thread specifically about JS1, although there's one with general interview advice: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=200887

[crazyrobin]

I've looked through this thread and PM'ed a few people who already had their JS1, and they have all been very helpful!
I don't think there's a thread specifically about JS1, although there's one with general interview advice: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=200887

Yep it's scattered everywhere in last cycle's thread. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 7&t=191773

PM couple people and ask would be better.

[Morgan2012]

Is there a thread where people discuss their JS1 experiences/questions and how to best prepare? I've been searching for a while but can't find it (if it exists). Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

Not really, but feel free to PM.

[hcrimson2014]

Guess the poll is wrong

[HorseThief]

Is there a thread where people discuss their JS1 experiences/questions and how to best prepare? I've been searching for a while but can't find it (if it exists). Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

Not really, but feel free to PM.

Same, feel free to PM.

[CyanIdes Of March]

Is there a thread where people discuss their JS1 experiences/questions and how to best prepare? I've been searching for a while but can't find it (if it exists). Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

Not really, but feel free to PM.

Same, feel free to PM.

I've gotten quite a few PMs but I don't mind answering any questions people might have about my interview.

[tls2175]

Is there a thread where people discuss their JS1 experiences/questions and how to best prepare? I've been searching for a while but can't find it (if it exists). Any help/guidance would be appreciated!

Not really, but feel free to PM.

Same, feel free to PM.

I've gotten quite a few PMs but I don't mind answering any questions people might have about my interview.

Here are a few tips I think you should consider in terms of your JS1 (anyone who disagrees or would like to expand on any of these points, please do!).

I think it's very important that you answer honestly. If you are asked about what your biggest challenge at law school/Harvard will be, don't give an answer you think they want to hear. Be honest. You don't have to admit your deepest, darkest secrets (and you shouldn't) but you should stick relatively close to the truth so that you sound genuine. Be sure not to sound like you're giving catered, pandering responses.

Remember, law school is not undergrad. This is an institution for adults and professionals. When anticipating their questions and your responses, and when preparing questions of your own, take a step back and think if this is a mature answer/question. Is this something that might be more appropriate for an undergrad interview rather than a law school interview? Feel free to be lighthearted. This is more about content than tone.

Show that you are thinking about the long term, as well as the short term. In addition to preparing responses for questions like "What do you see yourself doing after law school?" and "What would constitute a successful career in law for you?" (these are different questions although your answers can be similar), demonstrate your thoughtfulness in your question time. How has the career services office adapted to the different reality of legal employment? What type of support is there for alumni? (Don'e fixate on the future, definitely ask questions about the school itself and the law student experience and lifestyle, but maybe have one or two thoughtful future-oriented questions prepped.)

Don't drag out your answers. You can take a beat after a question is asked to answer concisely and appropriately. You can tell your stories but don't let one narrative dominate your precious interview time (you can tell by this post that I have a major problem with this)!

Take a shot of your favorite liquor before the interview. NOT REALLY (unless you want to). But it's important that you don't seem too nervous or on edge. I honestly think Skype interviews are the hardest in this respect. When I have a phone interview, I'm able to pace and to gesticulate as wildly as I normally do (a characteristic that my friends always comment on). If I'm nervous during a phone interview, I can channel the nerves into my physical actions instead of my voice and answers. I knew a guy who told me that he rubs his stomach during phone interviews for college and jobs because the repetitive motion and sensation calms him down. He is a weird dude but it worked for him! Also, in in-person interviews you are much more able to read your interviewer's body language and react accordingly. With Skype, both you and the interviewer are in a pretty small defined space. I was very self-conscious about what she was able to see and if I was in the right spot, etc. During my alumni interviews for other schools, being in the same room and not feeling so confined to a 2'x2' area was a lot more comfortable for me. Skype is also hard because you do want to show your interest by emphasizing and conveying certain points with your body language. Skype gives the false impression that you should be able to do so, but I found it difficult to do without looking spastic in such a small window (why would I be emphasizing my point with my hands up by my face? and I don't want my hands flickering around at the bottom of the screen as a constant distraction). Just feel comfortable and try and frame yourself so that you are able to strike a good balance. And definitely don't sit there and stare at yourself. Look into the camera so that there is eye contact but feel free to glance at yourself or your interviewer at times.

I don't think I hit it out of the ballpark by any means during my interview. I didn't take any of my own advice^ but I've been thinking about it so I can learn from the experience and do better next time.

Most importantly, remember that you got an interview at Harvard! That's awesome! I was shocked when I got the interview request. Don't let it make you nervous, take it as encouragement!

TL;DR - Some advice. Be genuine. Content should be mature/law school appropriate. Show you are thinking about the long-term. Be concise. Don't be nervous. Understand the limits of Skype. And most importantly, you rock!
edit: a word

[HorseThief]

...[lot's of good stuff]...

This is solid advice, so I'll only comment on a few points.

I think it's very important that you answer honestly. If you are asked about what your biggest challenge at law school/Harvard will be, don't give an answer you think they want to hear. Be honest. You don't have to admit your deepest, darkest secrets (and you shouldn't) but you should stick relatively close to the truth so that you sound genuine. Be sure not to sound like you're giving catered, pandering responses.

Yes you need to tell the truth, but any challenge you choose to admit should have a positive side to it. I remember reading about the 'perfect personal statement' and the author roughly said, "If you've had an amazing life experience, but you aren't sure if it would be received in a positive or negative light, DON'T USE IT. You've have a myriad of topics to write about, so pick a good one, not one that might set you back."

You can always find something that will a) be a challenge, b) be relatable, and c) show a good quality about yourself. For example, there was a reddit thread about this a few months ago, and one of the answer that stood out to me was, "I really don't work out as much as I should. I try to get to the gym as often as possible, but it just doesn't happen. I've found a lifting buddy, though, so I'm hoping to turn this around." This is a good answer (that you shouldn't all use) because it addresses all of the above, and shows a solution.

You could twist this for HLS by saying, "I'm worried about finding time to exercise when I know that my academics will be my top priority. I'm hoping to find some friends with similar sentiments so that we can create a study group/running partners." Again, don't use that exact answer because JS will definitely catch on, but you should be able to find something with similar strengths by yourself.

Don't drag out your answers. You can take a beat after a question is asked to answer concisely and appropriately. You can tell your stories but don't let one narrative dominate your precious interview time (you can tell by this post that I have a major problem with this)!

+1 (and +1)

[ShrimpToastMasters]

They're sending out JS1s!!!!

[barrelofmonkeys]

They're sending out JS1s!!!!

As in, you got one, so you know?

[ShrimpToastMasters]

They're sending out JS1s!!!!

As in, you got one, so you know?

Yuppers

[neprep]

They're sending out JS1s!!!!

As in, you got one, so you know?

And if so, what was your complete date?

PSA To all those reporting JS1s: We're really happy for you, and we're going to let you finish, but you have to tell us your stats and complete dates. Pretty please!