Harvard 2010! Forum

[blue5385]

Weird, but I feel this is the last chance for me to have an acceptance this year. (yes I am still dreaming) My other pendings are surely going to be WL's since they are past the deposit deadlines.

huh? aren't you pending at Columbia and NYU? Their deposit deadlines are May 1st.

They are? I guess I am wrong. Still not feeling good about those two. I haven't heard anything since I applied.

CLS's is definitely 5/1 -- I keep rechecking every day just to make sure I'm not going to miss it. imo you definitely have a shot, especially because you weren't held.

[Core]

Harvard is definitely open today. I'm a current student and I'm heading to class now.

I hate you.

Oh, don't misunderstand. I'm not a current law student. I'm in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. I'm applying to the law school and I don't expect to get in.

Do you like me better now?

Yes .

[swampthang]

I wonder what preference an Admissions office like Harvard would give to grad school v. WE, cet. par., of course. Or rather just as an abstract question, if you had two candidates with the exact same profile, except one went to grad school for 1-4 years out of undergrad and the other went and worked (in an interesting/pretigous enough job, I'm not talking about using your BA to land you a job at the local McD's) for 1-4 years out of undergrad, which do you think would be more interesting or attractive to a law school? I think it would depend on the school to some extent, say WE at Northwestern vs. grad at Yale, but I'd interested what y'all think which would be more advantageous at other schools. Again, I know this highly theoretical speculation, but I'm curious to see what the consensus is. Oh, and to identify an potential bias, please list your work/school status.

I'm 2 years out of undergrad, so you know which way I lean.

[macunaima]

Why in JR's name are you applying to law school? Is it the currently miserable job prospects for philosophy profs?

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

[neimanmarxist]

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

this. oh, this. a thousand times this.

[lta]

Why in JR's name are you applying to law school? Is it the currently miserable job prospects for philosophy profs?

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

I loved this: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/educa ... phy&st=cse

[macunaima]

Why in JR's name are you applying to law school? Is it the currently miserable job prospects for philosophy profs?

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

I loved this: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/educa ... phy&st=cse

Yeah, I saw that. I think that's great. I think having a philosophical orientation - i.e. thinking below the surface, articulating your reasons, etc. - is really important. I just hope that none of those kids become a professional philosopher.

[r6_philly]

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

this. oh, this. a thousand times this.

I was interested in philosphy for a time too. Then I realized that I don't need abstract ideas and theories to guide me in understanding the world around me. The goal is important, but I don't need to study to achieve it. I think philosophy should be taught in the home at an early age so people learn to approach the world meaningfully from the get go. If you have to wait until college to learn how to think efficiently it is probably too late.

[r6_philly]

CLS's is definitely 5/1 -- I keep rechecking every day just to make sure I'm not going to miss it. imo you definitely have a shot, especially because you weren't held.

Thanks Although I am just the regular HYS whore so I don't know if it will make any difference at this point!

[Consigliere]

What's the consensus on a response from HLS today? Another wave of WL's and/or rejects?

another round of WLs could very well be coming today, since it seems from LSN like they have a bunch still left to give out. not sure if they'll get around to dings, though.

Looking at LSN it looks like the Waitlist notifications have started up again today.

Crossing my fingers...

[r6_philly]

Looking at LSN it looks like the Waitlist notifications have started up again today.

Crossing my fingers...

This time from a Jan. applicant. It does indeed look like they are getting to the rest of the pile.

So what should one hope for? If you don't get WL are you more likely to get dinged?

[somewhatwayward]

you think there's a chronology to this? i tried to detect a pattern, but it didn't seem too strong.

ps i definitely think you're in at NYU, maybe CLS, but they're so LSAT-focused...why'd you apply so late?

[Consigliere]

This time from a Jan. applicant. It does indeed look like they are getting to the rest of the pile.

So what should one hope for? If you don't get WL are you more likely to get dinged?

I think your hoping for a WL at this point. Doesnt look like anyone got in after this point last year without being put on the WL.

Although part of me just wants the ding so I can send the deposit to Chicago and not look back.

[gmichaelbluth]

Oct. applicant/held in January applicant here, so I don't think they're going entirely chronologically. Expecting rejection, but just ready for some news already!

[r6_philly]

you think there's a chronology to this? i tried to detect a pattern, but it didn't seem too strong.

ps i definitely think you're in at NYU, maybe CLS, but they're so LSAT-focused...why'd you apply so late?

I got the ok to graduate a year early in Dec. so the earliest possible LSAT was Feb. Then I end up taking it on2/27 because of all the snow. It's ok though, if it doesn't work out I would be right back on my originial schedule but will get a masters degree out of it.

[odiero]

Why in JR's name are you applying to law school? Is it the currently miserable job prospects for philosophy profs?

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

I don't think the level of abstraction/generality is the main problem. In fact, IMO practitioners in a number of fields should be abstracting a lot more than they are. I have in mind, here, people who work in cross-cultural contexts, where what we might consider to be ridiculously abstract questions (e.g. about communicative presuppositions, à la Habermasienne) are often the most urgent, practical questions you can ask. I think the main problem is an institutional one. You can't get anywhere in western academic philosophy unless you devote every waking moment to research and publication in "reputable" journals. In my ideal world, one could advance one's academic philosophy career while also working "on the ground" to address serious social problems. I think this would also help make philosophy more accessible to non-philosophers working in cross-cultural contexts -- although there's a-whole-nother slew of institutional issues in the fields of int'l dev, humanitarian aid, etc.

I totally back your decision to go into law, though. I think it should help you find meaningful work to do... I certainly hope so, anyway, since that's the main reason I've applied to law school.

[lta]

Why in JR's name are you applying to law school? Is it the currently miserable job prospects for philosophy profs?

Well, the job market for philosophers is quite bad, but that's not why I'm switching over to law.

I came to grad school to study philosophy because I thought it was important. I thought that I as an individual and human beings as social creatures had to address philosophical questions about how to live well and act rightly. But after almost a decade of working in philosophy, I've come to the conclusion that the level of abstraction and generality at which those sorts of questions are addressed by professional philosophers is not conducive to helpful, meaningful answers.

I don't think the level of abstraction/generality is the main problem. In fact, IMO practitioners in a number of fields should be abstracting a lot more than they are. I have in mind, here, people who work in cross-cultural contexts, where what we might consider to be ridiculously abstract questions (e.g. about communicative presuppositions, à la Habermasienne) are often the most urgent, practical questions you can ask. I think the main problem is an institutional one. You can't get anywhere in western academic philosophy unless you devote every waking moment to research and publication in "reputable" journals. In my ideal world, one could advance one's academic philosophy career while also working "on the ground" to address serious social problems. I think this would also help make philosophy more accessible to non-philosophers working in cross-cultural contexts -- although there's a-whole-nother slew of institutional issues in the fields of int'l dev, humanitarian aid, etc.

I totally back your decision to go into law, though. I think it should help you find meaningful work to do... I certainly hope so, anyway, since that's the main reason I've applied to law school.

Yes.

[of Benito Cereno]

,.,

[r6_philly]

They do look more hollistic and not all about the numbers if they send the emails one at a time don't they? Especially in no apparent pattern.

[of Benito Cereno]

They do look more hollistic and not all about the numbers if they send the emails one at a time don't they? Especially in no apparent pattern.

maybe the order has to do with when the files were last updated (loci, transcripts, letter of rec). Mine was last updated in march... Anyways, I can kinda imagine them going over each file one last time before they send a waitlist email.
I really do think, actually, that the order is related to when the files were last updated.

[somewhatwayward]

damnit harvard. if you're going to just waitlist pretty much all the nojr1 holds couldn't you have just waitlised us in january? ok if you can't do that can you maybe just send them all out in one day? ok, if you're going to do it over multiple days can they please be consecutive? ok, so you can't work on Sunday but when you start sending waitlist email again can you try to not spread them out over the entire day? no, apparently not. its like they're conspiring to cut my productivity for as long as possible. And on those days when they are sending out waitlists (thus totally destroying my ability to work) they send them out quite intermittently so as to really just eat up as much of my day as possible. ugh.

Just kidding Harvard. I love you. Can I come to your school please?

i'm having a very similar love-hate dialogue in my head....also not getting anything done...

i'm glad they're not closed on patriot's day...that would've been cruel.

[of Benito Cereno]

damnit harvard. if you're going to just waitlist pretty much all the nojr1 holds couldn't you have just waitlised us in january? ok if you can't do that can you maybe just send them all out in one day? ok, if you're going to do it over multiple days can they please be consecutive? ok, so you can't work on Sunday but when you start sending waitlist email again can you try to not spread them out over the entire day? no, apparently not. its like they're conspiring to cut my productivity for as long as possible. And on those days when they are sending out waitlists (thus totally destroying my ability to work) they send them out quite intermittently so as to really just eat up as much of my day as possible. ugh.

Just kidding Harvard. I love you. Can I come to your school please?

i'm having a very similar love-hate dialogue in my head....also not getting anything done...

i'm glad they're not closed on patriot's day...that would've been cruel.

why would they be. don't you know that all those pinko-commie ivory tower types hate america? what do they care about patriots.

[Consigliere]

now im freaking out that there's only been one waitlist so far today. Maybe that was actually a saturday waitlist and they just didnt check their email or update their LSN until today.

Thank god I was out on friday and saturday and did not waste my entire day refreshing my email.

[blue5385]

If I had to get a WL instead of (or before ) an acceptance, I'm glad it was on a Saturday. I was definitely not expecting it and/or freaking out while refreshing my gmail.

[Jericwithers]

They do look more hollistic and not all about the numbers if they send the emails one at a time don't they? Especially in no apparent pattern.

maybe the order has to do with when the files were last updated (loci, transcripts, letter of rec). Mine was last updated in march... Anyways, I can kinda imagine them going over each file one last time before they send a waitlist email.
I really do think, actually, that the order is related to when the files were last updated.

That would help me to rationalize why my waitlist hasn't come either, updated in March.