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

[binary_theatrics]

She asked me questions almost entirely about my resume and personal statement, with the exception of the usual 'Why Now' and 'Why Harvard' questions.

I think I would burst into laughter after being asked 'Why Harvard'

+1 . Though she phrased it something along the lines of, "I'm sure you will get offers from a number of law schools, what factors will lead you to make your final decision?" ... and I answered it in a way that made it clear Harvard exceeded every factor I desired.

[luckystar84]

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[t-14orbust]

So what's the story on the completion email? I submitted another app and it already says complete. It's the same gray status checker every school has. Does HLS work the same way? Or do you have to receive their completion email before you know it's been forwarded to review? I remember reading earlier in the thread that about 2 weeks separate the completion status checker and the email, but someone said they went complete within hours of submitting. Which one are they talking about?

Can I expect a JS1 in the next 2 weeks? >=50% on both scores

You can't really expect anything lol. Just buckle up and enjoy the ride

[Sourrudedude]

So what's the story on the completion email? I submitted another app and it already says complete. It's the same gray status checker every school has. Does HLS work the same way? Or do you have to receive their completion email before you know it's been forwarded to review? I remember reading earlier in the thread that about 2 weeks separate the completion status checker and the email, but someone said they went complete within hours of submitting. Which one are they talking about?

Can I expect a JS1 in the next 2 weeks? >=median on both scores

Completion email comes after complete on status checker, but there's no real rhyme or reason to how long after. JS1s have gone to a variety of numbers so don't hold your breath but hopefully you get one in November.

[crazyrobin]

Seems like almost everyone is interviewing with JS, no?

I did not, I interviewed with one of the other admissions folks. Hoping that doesn't necessarily mean anything bad...

Mine was not either.
I think we shall have our decisions around thanksgiving week.

[drawstring]

Seems like almost everyone is interviewing with JS, no?

I did not, I interviewed with one of the other admissions folks. Hoping that doesn't necessarily mean anything bad...

Mine was not neither.
I think we shall have our decisions around thanksgiving week.

Did your interview also seem to be along the lines of the typical JS interview?

[crazyrobin]

Seems like almost everyone is interviewing with JS, no?

I did not, I interviewed with one of the other admissions folks. Hoping that doesn't necessarily mean anything bad...

Mine was not neither.
I think we shall have our decisions around thanksgiving week.

Did your interview also seem to be along the lines of the typical JS interview?

Yep, it's pretty much all about my PS and CV. But no "why Harvard" nor "why now" questions.

[AvatarEyes08]

Also had mine with JS, though mine seems to have been a bit different than most. She didn't ask really any questions about my resume or PS. None of the questions were too tricky or anything, but I would also say it wasn't as straightforward as I thought it would be. Not sure if I should read into that at all. I doubt it.

[bbkk]

People have started with interviews and I'm still struggling with the LSAT...

Well, just stopped by to say good luck! Will come back after Dec LSAT!

[scifiguy]

newbie to thread: are interviews required for HLS admissions?

[HorseThief]

newbie to thread: are interviews required for HLS admissions?

Technically, no, but most everyone does get an interview. As someone mentioned before, around 1200 people are invited to interview and 800 get in, and none of us have heard of someone getting in without the interview.

[AvatarEyes08]

newbie to thread: are interviews required for HLS admissions?

Yes

[wtrc]

newbie to thread: are interviews required for HLS admissions?

Technically, no, but most everyone does get an interview. As someone mentioned before, around 1200 people are invited to interview and 800 get in, and none of us have heard of someone getting in without the interview.

I've heard of someone. In the HLS thread last year, someone who was from HLS legacy (father and grandfather both went), and was third generation Exeter--> Princeton--> HLS with a 177 didn't have one. People were unsure if he was flame or not, but I think he convinced.

ETA: but to answer the question, for all intents and purposes, yes, everyone that gets admitted gets one

[sasquatchsam]

In general, HLS will interview more people than they will admit, so not everyone who is interviewed will be admitted. But you need to have an interview before you are admitted, so getting invited to interview will exponentially increase your chances of being admitted over someone who is not invited to interview.

If you are invited to interview, it means there is something in your application that they like. The interview is really just another element of the application that can be for you, against you, or neutral.

Cheers,
Karen

This should shed some light on the issue...you cannot be accepted without interviewing (or at least that is what the bolded suggests).

[Lavitz]

newbie to thread: are interviews required for HLS admissions?

Technically, no, but most everyone does get an interview. As someone mentioned before, around 1200 people are invited to interview and 800 get in, and none of us have heard of someone getting in without the interview.

I've heard of someone. In the HLS thread last year, someone who was from HLS legacy (father and grandfather both went), and was third generation Exeter--> Princeton--> HLS with a 177 didn't have one. People were unsure if he was flame or not, but I think he convinced.

ETA: but to answer the question, for all intents and purposes, yes, everyone that gets admitted gets one

I still say that was a flame.

But don't take my word for it.

Karen - can you talk a bit about the Harvard interview? Namely, if you got one, what it means for your chances, what will they be looking for, how important it is vis-a-vis your numbers (especially if they are below median), etc.

Thanks!

In general, HLS will interview more people than they will admit, so not everyone who is interviewed will be admitted. But you need to have an interview before you are admitted, so getting invited to interview will exponentially increase your chances of being admitted over someone who is not invited to interview.

If you are invited to interview, it means there is something in your application that they like. The interview is really just another element of the application that can be for you, against you, or neutral.

Cheers,
Karen

[sonyvaio18]

for the JS1-ers, how positive did the interviewers seem about you during the interview?

[04102014]

At the info session I attended, the Associate Director said: "If you want to go to Harvard, I would suggest you not turn down the interview. You won't get in without one."

[flippacious]

Good luck to anyone with interviews today!

[HorseThief]

for the JS1-ers, how positive did the interviewers seem about you during the interview?

Positive isn't the right word. I sensed upbeat and enthusiastic, but I never got any hint of 'yes you have a good shot' or 'nope, you have no shot.' JS remained very neutral during my interview.

[Sourrudedude]

for the JS1-ers, how positive did the interviewers seem about you during the interview?

Positive isn't the right word. I sensed upbeat and enthusiastic, but I never got any hint of 'yes you have a good shot' or 'nope, you have no shot.' JS remained very neutral during my interview.

This 100%

[supersonicfast]

.

[applelover]

..

[Noodlebrain]

for the JS1-ers, how positive did the interviewers seem about you during the interview?

Positive isn't the right word. I sensed upbeat and enthusiastic, but I never got any hint of 'yes you have a good shot' or 'nope, you have no shot.' JS remained very neutral during my interview.

I interviewed with Danielle and I thought she was definitely positive. Then again, she does have a master's in communication so maybe she is just a master manipulator

[luckystar84]

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[HorseThief]

another one of my Apps went like this:
submit after 5PM on Monday
complete in status checker Tuesday morning
complete email sent Wednesday morning @ 4AM (lol).

HLS: status checker still not complete. submitted Thurs after 5PM.
be patient? Am I correct though that I need that complete email before JS1?

It took me 2 weeks to go complete, and then the JS1 came the next day.