Harvard 2011 Applicants Forum

[DoubleChecks]

also to try to make the current applicants feel better...

...i have/had no real WE, but i did like my overall package. no actual stated interest (in fact, i barely talked about law haha)...though i did try to help them get to know ME better as a person. have a cohesive app package that you are proud of and thats the best you can do.

besides the obvious uptick in WE acceptees, another thing JR seems to harp on is GPA. at least for TLSers, a 3.7/175+ had worse chances under JR than TS...yet a lot of people w/ under-median LSATs but high GPAs got in. /shrugs, maybe just sample size error or an emphasis on GPA lol.

[hellome]

ugh i just got really nervous reading this
i didn't know it was so soon...

[dooterdude11]

What the hell:

does JR1 mean?

does JR2 mean?

haha.

[matt2010]

Purely anecdotal, but I got in last year with 0 WE. Relax, and you'll be fine. I also thought I bombed my phone interview so I'm pretty sure it doesn't carry much weight.

[rundoxierun]

What do you guys mean by app package?? Did all of you submit additional statements as well? All I sent was a PS. A DS seemed repetitive since my PS told a story about something I did that related to my background.

[r6_philly]

What do you guys mean by app package?? Did all of you submit additional statements as well? All I sent was a PS. A DS seemed repetitive since my PS told a story about something I did that related to my background.

Apparently almost everyone send a DS because they stressed at the information session it could be "any kind of diversity".

[r6_philly]

Purely anecdotal, but I got in last year with 0 WE. Relax, and you'll be fine. I also thought I bombed my phone interview so I'm pretty sure it doesn't carry much weight.

I remember someone said if you don't contradict yourself you would be fine. It's like fact checking.

[mcdonrb]

What the hell:

does JR1 mean?

does JR2 mean?

haha.

I second this...

[invisiblesun]

What the hell:

does JR1 mean?

does JR2 mean?

haha.

I second this...

JR1 = Invitation to interview

JR2 = Acceptance phone call

HTH

[Na_Swatch]

What do you guys mean by app package?? Did all of you submit additional statements as well? All I sent was a PS. A DS seemed repetitive since my PS told a story about something I did that related to my background.

Apparently almost everyone send a DS because they stressed at the information session it could be "any kind of diversity".

Actually I don't think it's necessary to send in a diversity statement unless you truly are a non traditional or a URM... By coherent package we just mean making your PS and resume paint a picture of a strong applicant however you want to do it.

And to clarify about jr1 and jr2, about 1100 people get jr1s and out of those around 750 to 800 get accepted, so once you have an initial phone call your odds are fairly decent, but not guaranteed

[pace]

Forgive my ignorance, but does JR just call you out of the blue for a JR1 or JR2? Or does he email you to set an appointment? Also, does anyone know what these conversations entail? Thanks.

[r6_philly]

Actually I don't think it's necessary to send in a diversity statement unless you truly are a non traditional or a URM... By coherent package we just mean making your PS and resume paint a picture of a strong applicant however you want to do it.

Since there is no set definition of non-traditional, many people feel the need to write about what they perceive as non-traditional. Others want to differentiate themselves by stating something unique about them. For the majority of people, it probably just serves as an additional page. Since many people choose to write about academic or professional experiences and aspirations in their PS, the DS can be written about a personal anecdote.

[DoubleChecks]

DS could be useful; i wouldnt know, i didnt send one

by app package, i mean get two LORs from professors (assuming you havent been out for many yrs) who really know you (mine were from seminars or close 1-on-1 interactions)...a PS that really lets them know YOU, and a resume that kind of ties a coherent picture together (doesnt have to be geared toward something; the ideas of 'hey look, i have leadership skills and work hard!' are prob enough lol)

unlike TS, JR actually tells you in a pre-JR1 email what questions he'll be asking (resume questions/what have you been up to....why law school?...why harvard law school?)

[slax]

Does anyone know if WE while in undergrad holds any weight? Not a one summer internship, but substantial employment. I have a grownup job that I've had for 3 years (while in undergrad) and am wondering if JR would consider this as legit WE. Anecdotal evidence or stats?

[SullaFelix]

JR1 e-mail this morning. So if you had Oct. 8 in the pool, congratulations, you're a winner.

[rundoxierun]

JR1 e-mail this morning. So if you had Oct. 8 in the pool, congratulations, you're a winner.

Congrats.. When did u go complete?

[SullaFelix]

under review as of 10/6.

i'll answer any questions about numbers via pm.

[pocketwatcher]

Anyone know how long it usually takes between going under review and getting the JR1 email?

Under review 10/5, but no email

[WestOfTheRest]

under review as of 10/6.

i'll answer any questions about numbers via pm.

When did you submit and did your status checker change?

[WestOfTheRest]

Reviewed threads from last yr. General pattern seems to be that if you get a pre-Thxgiving interview and aren't accepted pre-Thxgiving, chances of getting in later are low.

Don't think about that yet.

[vsl89]

I'm a little confused as to what is going on w/ my Harvard app. I applied in mid-September and assigned 3 LORs to HLS. I checked my status today and it says application under review, but I never received an email saying my application was complete. Only 2 of my letters have been sent in so far and I am waiting on my third letter. Does this mean they will see my third letter if it gets there in time, otherwise they will assess me on the basis of whatever I already have?

[shanemahsa]

UR 10/6, no JR1 email. Of course, my numbers not very competitive....at all. lol.

[WestOfTheRest]

I'm a little confused as to what is going on w/ my Harvard app. I applied in mid-September and assigned 3 LORs to HLS. I checked my status today and it says application under review, but I never received an email saying my application was complete. Only 2 of my letters have been sent in so far and I am waiting on my third letter. Does this mean they will see my third letter if it gets there in time, otherwise they will assess me on the basis of whatever I already have?

They will assess you based on the two letters as their admission policy states that they will consider your file complete once they have received two lors. As for the complete email, Harvard seems notoriously slow for sending them out. Most people from past cycles seem to receive their JR1s before they receive their complete emails.

[vsl89]

I'm a little confused as to what is going on w/ my Harvard app. I applied in mid-September and assigned 3 LORs to HLS. I checked my status today and it says application under review, but I never received an email saying my application was complete. Only 2 of my letters have been sent in so far and I am waiting on my third letter. Does this mean they will see my third letter if it gets there in time, otherwise they will assess me on the basis of whatever I already have?

They will assess you based on the two letters as their admission policy states that they will consider your file complete once they have received two lors. As for the complete email, Harvard seems notoriously slow for sending them out. Most people from past cycles seem to receive their JR1s before they receive their complete emails.

Thanks! This helps a bunch

[DoubleChecks]

Does anyone know if WE while in undergrad holds any weight? Not a one summer internship, but substantial employment. I have a grownup job that I've had for 3 years (while in undergrad) and am wondering if JR would consider this as legit WE. Anecdotal evidence or stats?

not sure why it would be treated any differently than WE after ugrad...assuming the hours are comparable.