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

[HorseThief]

I used an external, although I don't think it would matter much. It's far more important that you use headphones so you don't get feedback.

[ShrimpToastMasters]

I used an external, although I don't think it would matter much. It's far more important that you use headphones so you don't get feedback.

interesting - i hadn't even considered using headphones. thanks for the tip!

[Instinctive]

I just used my Macbook. Nothing external. JS1 went well I thought.



I did plug in physically to an ethernet cable though, rather than trust WiFi.

[ShrimpToastMasters]

hmm - would it be a terrible use of work resources if i asked them to set up videoconferencing in a conference room for my js1?

[lawschool22]

Being between my JS1 invite and my JS1 interview is really keeping me sane.

I felt the same way. I am now no longer in the category Now begins the worst wait of the cycle...

did you get external mic for the interview or just used what was on your comp?

I am a musician so I already had a nice USB condenser mic that I used. A mic can definitely help, but as a former photography student I can say the most important thing to make sure you have correct is the lighting. See below:

Professional lighting on the cheap for Skype interviews:
Change your computer background to a nice amber/orange color so your face looks warm and isn't washed out by the blue LED backlight. Get a lamp, take the lamp shade off, and position it to your left (about 10 o'clock position) and about three feet away - a 40-60 watt bulb is best for this. Turn on the overhead light in the room you're in (it will act as a "hair light" (technical term) and illuminate the top of your head with some shine to give depth). Then get a floor lamp (or put it on a shelf or something) with, preferably, a brighter bulb than the lamp on your desk (75 watts is good). Place it in the 4 or 5 o'clock position, about 5 feet away from where you are seated. For the best effect, place a white poster board or sheet behind the lamp pointed towards the back right of your head.

If you can do this setup in a room with window (covered w/ blinds or a light curtain) that is even better. Set it up so the window is to the right of you. This will give a pleasing contrast, as the lamp to your left will read on screen as a warm color, and the window will read as a cool color. This provides good definition to your face and is a pleasing set up. It is also important to only use one "type" of light in the room. By that I mean, mixing fluorescent with regular tungsten bulbs will cause color issues, as Skype cannot set the white balance properly. I would recommend using all tungsten (or "warm" CFL's) bulbs, plus the window, and you will get a nice contrast but proper color.

Keep your chin slightly up, with your face turned just ever so slightly to the right. But then relax and be natural . You should always have a slight smile, and you should appear engaged, happy, enthusiastic, etc.

Also - make sure your background is free of clutter. This is very important. A simple, clean room as a backdrop is best. And by setting up the lighting as described above, the room will appear slightly dimmer than you, making you the part that stands out, and causing the background to be less distracting.

Finally, feel free to experiment! All rooms are different. Go to the preferences of Skype and you can see how you will appear. Play around with the angle and distance of the lights until it looks good to you.

Edit: Added a few extra tips.

[lawschool22]

I used an external, although I don't think it would matter much. It's far more important that you use headphones so you don't get feedback.

This also

[ShrimpToastMasters]

Being between my JS1 invite and my JS1 interview is really keeping me sane.

I felt the same way. I am now no longer in the category Now begins the worst wait of the cycle...

did you get external mic for the interview or just used what was on your comp?

I am a musician so I already had a nice USB condenser mic that I used. A mic can definitely help, but as a former photography student I can say the most important thing to make sure you have correct is the lighting. See below:

Professional lighting on the cheap for Skype interviews:
Change your computer background to a nice amber/orange color so your face looks warm and isn't washed out by the blue LED backlight. Get a lamp, take the lamp shade off, and position it to your left (about 10 o'clock position) and about three feet away - a 40-60 watt bulb is best for this. Turn on the overhead light in the room you're in (it will act as a "hair light" (technical term) and illuminate the top of your head with some shine to give depth). Then get a floor lamp (or put it on a shelf or something) with, preferably, a brighter bulb than the lamp on your desk (75 watts is good). Place it in the 4 or 5 o'clock position, about 5 feet away from where you are seated. For the best effect, place a white poster board or sheet behind the lamp pointed towards the back right of your head.

If you can do this setup in a room with window (covered w/ blinds or a light curtain) that is even better. Set it up so the window is to the right of you. This will give a pleasing contrast, as the lamp to your left will read on screen as a warm color, and the window will read a color. This provides good definition to your face and is a pleasing set up.

Keep your chin slightly up, with your face turned just ever so slightly to the right. But then relax and be natural . You should always have a slight smile, and you should appear engaged, happy, enthusiastic, etc.

Also - make sure your background is free of clutter. This is very important. A simple, clean room as a backdrop is best. And by setting up the lighting as described above, the room will appear slightly dimmer than you, making you the part that stands out, and causing the background to be less distracting.

omg ls22 - you are so helpful! and know everything!

[lawschool22]

omg ls22 - you are so helpful! and know everything!

I am just a humble servant of TLS trying to do my part for all you wonderful applicants When everyone is admitted, you can buy me a beer at the ASW for the spreadsheet and lighting help

[neprep]

omg ls22 - you are so helpful! and know everything!

I am just a humble servant of TLS trying to do my part for all you wonderful applicants

He's Vishnu's tenth avatar.

[lawschool22]

omg ls22 - you are so helpful! and know everything!

I am just a humble servant of TLS trying to do my part for all you wonderful applicants

He's Vishnu's tenth avatar.

Sounds like an idea for a new tar...

[taffy877]

Just had my JS1, which went fairly well (I think...lol). But the questions were a bit different from the stuff I've seen floating around here, so PM me if you want a heads-up on anything.

[applelover]

I gave up on JS making calls anytime soon. On an unrelated note, Im almost done with finals!!

[wtrc]

New poll. Happy lunch break.

[applelover]

There's a private Facebook group

[lawschool22]

Okay for all of you JS2 people...how did you survive the wait? I am already going crazy...

[t-14orbust]

Okay for all of you JS2 people...how did you survive the wait? I am already going crazy...

At least you haven't had to sit through a round of JS2s without hearing your number called

[tls2175]

New poll. Happy lunch break.

Thanks! Ideally I would tell my parents first. Although, if I'm lucky enough to get a JS2 and it comes around the same time I got the call from NYU, then the girl I sit next to in the office will be the first to know...

[applelover]

Okay for all of you JS2 people...how did you survive the wait? I am already going crazy...

At least you haven't had to sit through a round of JS2s without hearing your number called

+1

[tls2175]

I gave up on JS making calls anytime soon. On an unrelated note, Im almost done with finals!!

Also, this^

[tls2175]

I gave up on JS making calls anytime soon. On an unrelated note, Im almost done with finals!!

Also, this^

I am not good at this. I quoted the wrong applelover post. What I meant to respond to was the super secret Facebook group of TLSers.

[lawschool22]

Okay for all of you JS2 people...how did you survive the wait? I am already going crazy...

At least you haven't had to sit through a round of JS2s without hearing your number called

Thanks for the perspective... Although this will most likely happen to me during the next round of them. I doubt they can give me a decision in time for the next round.

[lawbeahs]

Are we still in agreement that there have been no post-11/12 JS1s offered JS2 (i.e., post-11/12 JS1s should not yet freak out about missing the boat)?

[t-14orbust]

Are we still in agreement that there have been no post-11/12 JS1s offered JS2 (i.e., post-11/12 JS1s should not yet freak out about missing the boat)?

Yes

[andapieceoftoast]

Okay for all of you JS2 people...how did you survive the wait? I am already going crazy...

At least you haven't had to sit through a round of JS2s without hearing your number called

+1

Using my 100th post to say +1 and PLEASE JESSICA CALL ME PLEASE.

PLEASE.










But for real though.

[edwardt1988]

Are they gonna do new JS1s on the same day(s) they're doing JS2s? I WANT A JS1