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

[andapieceoftoast]

I'm still going back to my theory that they are somewhat disappointed with applicant quality and are waiting to pull the trigger to be doubly sure they want to lower that GPA floor.

Oh man, I hope they're disappointed and will therefore slum it with the likes of me...

[chneyo]

...

[applelover]

I'm still going back to my theory that they are somewhat disappointed with applicant quality and are waiting to pull the trigger to be doubly sure they want to lower that GPA floor.

Or they could accept me and you BOTH and use my GPA to balance out yours and your LSAT score to balance out mines. Ha! Lol I know this makes no sense.

[lawschool22]

I'm still going back to my theory that they are somewhat disappointed with applicant quality and are waiting to pull the trigger to be doubly sure they want to lower that GPA floor.

Or they could accept me and you BOTH and use my GPA to balance out yours and your LSAT score to balance out mines. Ha! Lol I know this makes no sense.

It makes perfect sense. JS are you there? Are you cool with this?

[TheMostDangerousLG]

It's a Tuesday night and I'm sitting alone in my apartment with the TLS forums and a bottle of red listening to Foreigner on loop.

For those of you in a similar spot...
I Wanna Know What Love Is - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OGfBGOCpk

This was basically me all of last week.

I WANNA KNOW WHAT JS2 ISSSSSSS.

[edwardt1988]

Heard this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8cbak34DR0 on the radio and thought of all of you waiting for JS2s. Seems to fit.

I also feel very manly posting this

[chneyo]

...

[wtrc]

I'm still going back to my theory that they are somewhat disappointed with applicant quality and are waiting to pull the trigger to be doubly sure they want to lower that GPA floor.

I hear that, but there are people that have applied, had JS1's, and are above the GPA and/or LSAT medians, and if they are only above one, they are very close to the other. I can see a lot of holds and waitlists for people at or below both medians (someone at 173/3.5; or 3.9 but 170)- people that may have been outright rejected in past years-- but still, I would expect some movement over the next few days, at least for highly qualified candidates, no?

[lawschool22]

I'm still going back to my theory that they are somewhat disappointed with applicant quality and are waiting to pull the trigger to be doubly sure they want to lower that GPA floor.

I hear that, but there are people that have applied, had JS1's, and are above the GPA and/or LSAT medians, and if they are only above one, they are very close to the other. I can see a lot of holds and waitlists for people at or below both medians (someone at 173/3.5; or 3.9 but 170)- people that may have been outright rejected in past years-- but still, I would expect some movement over the next few days, at least for highly qualified candidates, no?

I definitely think there will be movement soon. I just expect to see some a bit more favorable results for admissions than we have seen in years past. This theory is based on Spivey's comments regarding top score shortages as well as the JS1s we have seen given out this far. HLS has a big class to fill. Obviously there are plenty of well qualified applicants waiting to hear back and they will get good news on the whole. I just bet we will see some surprises sprinkled in.

[lawschool22]

Just realized I forgot to send a follow-up/thank you email after my JS1. Does it matter? Should I send one in at this point? Thanks, work, for making me forget

[Pancakes12]

Just realized I forgot to send a follow-up/thank you email after my JS1. Does it matter? Should I send one in at this point? Thanks, work, for making me forget

I didn't. I don't think it makes any difference.

[CyanIdes Of March]

Just realized I forgot to send a follow-up/thank you email after my JS1. Does it matter? Should I send one in at this point? Thanks, work, for making me forget

I didn't. I don't think it makes any difference.

I didn't and I never thought about doing it.

[Javert]

Edited: Thanks.

[lastsamurai]

Jessica...why??????

Loving your tar, toast!!!

[lastsamurai]

Okay gang. JS1 tomorrow at noon. Any last-minute wisdom?

Be you. Take your time. Work your questions in well.

[luckystar84]

deleted

[Howl]

Okay gang. JS1 tomorrow at noon. Any last-minute wisdom?

Edited: Was catty, should have kept that kind of stuff to a PM or something. Please carry on

[CyanIdes Of March]

[Howl]

I'm bitter because I really do put a lot of time and thought into reviewing people's PS, and I don't like people who don't take time to reciprocate/even thank. That's prob the real world though, and something I should have expected from TLS. I'm sorry if I turned the mood sour, and looking back, that kind of stuff doesn't belong on a thread like this.

[Howl]

But in all seriousness, here's lawschool22's guide for lighting for those having JS1s soon.

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.

[crazyrobin]

^ professional!!!!
I'll use the setting for my Chicago interview.

[andapieceoftoast]

Jessica...why??????

Loving your tar, toast!!!

Thanks samurai! I thought it adequately displayed my complete loss of sanity without a call from Jessica!

[Ren]

My status checker has said "complete" for a few days now, but I have not received any emails from them about going complete. Is this normal? Should I call? WHAT'S GOING ON?!

[NoDayButToday]

.

[edwardt1988]

My status checker has said "complete" for a few days now, but I have not received any emails from them about going complete. Is this normal? Should I call? WHAT'S GOING ON?!

FWIW, I went complete on 11/19 and only got an email about it on 11/21