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

[Humbert Humbert]

Anyone else go to the info session in New York last night? I thought JS was super impressive.

I went to the session hosted at the NYC Bar Association. JS certainly gave me the impression that they value some type of experience after graduation. She mentioned that she places weight on the resume, followed by the personal statement and recommendations. I guess this confirms discussion on TLS about Harvard's attempt to attract/recruit applicants with more post-grad experience.

Also noteworthy was when she stated that the further removed from undergrad, the less weighted the GPA.

She stressed this last night as well, citing her own personal decision to spend 2 years between UG and law school and how valuable that experience was for her. According to her numbers, 75% of incoming 1Ls at Harvard have taken at least 1 year off between, and almost 50% have taken 2 or more. I was surprised the #s were that high.

[lastsamurai]

Anyone else go to the info session in New York last night? I thought JS was super impressive.

Yeah I was there last night and was very impressed by JS. I would have liked to hear from alumni with different career paths, but she covered everything herself anyway.

Some takeaways for me:
-The average amount of pro bono work at Harvard is really staggering
-There are no merit scholarships, so don't bother sending outside offers to try to get them matched
-Don't write a LOCI about Yale

Overall, the presentation definitely got me motivated to make my app as compelling as possible.

[nextstep222]

Might not be the right thread for this, but did anyone in the audience ask any questions about transfer apps/the waitlist?

[sabanist]

Good luck everyone! I'm technically still just a 0L too, but I'd be happy to answer any questions/assuage fears/listen to venting about the terribly nerve-wracking app process if you want to send me a PM!
Hope to see y'all in about a year.

[t-14orbust]

Good luck everyone! I'm technically still just a 0L too, but I'd be happy to answer any questions/assuage fears/listen to venting about the terribly nerve-wracking app process if you want to send me a PM!
Hope to see y'all in about a year.

I forgot how incredible your numbers are. A lock if I ever saw one.

[sabanist]

I forgot how incredible your numbers are. A lock if I ever saw one.

My UG doesn't have its own section in the wikipedia article on grade inflation for nothing.
The real takeaway is to listen when people say to retake. Best decision ever.

[t-14orbust]

What was your first take if you don't mind me asking?

edit: nvm, I just skimmed the LSN info the first time

[The-Specs]

.

[jcccc]

Wow, what I wouldn't do for that GPA or even just the average between the two of ours. Man I wish i took school seriously as a freshman.

Ditto, we all fucked around during freshman. My 1st year literally brings down my GPA by almost -.20. Thank god I got my shit together.

[The-Specs]

.

[t-14orbust]

I think the real question here is how sabanist managed to accrue 9 years(yes, I know, they could have overlapped- still impressive nonetheless IMO) of work experience as a K-JD.

[sabanist]

I think the real question here is how sabanist managed to accrue 9 years(yes, I know, they could have overlapped- still impressive nonetheless IMO) of work experience as a K-JD.

Lots of overlap - the only one that didn't was IT. Started retail work as soon as I turned 16 and took whatever else I could find to help keep my family afloat. Law school is going to be the first time since I was legally eligible to have a job that I haven't had one, so that's gonna be weird. I didn't get grilled too hard on the "why no time off, why law now" front in my JS1, and I think having a ton of part-time experience while in school helped with that.

Speaking of JS1s, y'all should check out the 2016 applicant thread if you haven't already for some of the interview discussion. Lavitz's list of questions is a good place to start. If nothing else, they can help show the kinds of things the admissions staff wants to know about you before admitting you, so maybe it could help with writing your applications too.

[ralph]

Anyone get an email?:

"The Law School Admissions Council has informed me that you may be considering law school this year. I invite you to take a closer look at Harvard Law School and the unparalleled opportunities that are available here..."

[ArtistOfManliness]

Anyone get an email?:

"The Law School Admissions Council has informed me that you may be considering law school this year. I invite you to take a closer look at Harvard Law School and the unparalleled opportunities that are available here..."

That's not a good sign

[Lavitz]

Speaking of JS1s, y'all should check out the 2016 applicant thread if you haven't already for some of the interview discussion. Lavitz's list of questions is a good place to start. If nothing else, they can help show the kinds of things the admissions staff wants to know about you before admitting you, so maybe it could help with writing your applications too.

I would also refer people to Mr. Elshal's post since he includes a discussion of his JS interview. And I think Regulus' interview thread would be worth reading.

[Let It Roll]

Anyone get an email?:

"The Law School Admissions Council has informed me that you may be considering law school this year. I invite you to take a closer look at Harvard Law School and the unparalleled opportunities that are available here..."

Yes. I got the same email.

[The-Specs]

.

[t-14orbust]

Got that e-mail from JS inviting me to take a closer look at HLS, as if I haven't already dreamt of being admitted. Is it really a bad sign? My numbers are fairly competitive IMO

[vzapana]

i got it last year. it's not a bad sign, but it isn't a UG likely letter either. just prepare the best application you can, and chill out.

[charlie.black]

Checking in. Hala HLS!

[maximus92]

Checking in!

[CyanIdes Of March]

Got that e-mail from JS inviting me to take a closer look at HLS, as if I haven't already dreamt of being admitted. Is it really a bad sign? My numbers are fairly competitive IMO

I think you misread, he meant it was a bad sign *for him* because he didn't get it. I think, at least. I'm sure an unsolicited e-mail from Harvard to check out their school (although, why in the world would they need to do that? They're Harvard...) is never a bad sign.

[nmillette]

@sabanist Your numbers are impressive!

[maximus92]

Got that e-mail from JS inviting me to take a closer look at HLS, as if I haven't already dreamt of being admitted. Is it really a bad sign? My numbers are fairly competitive IMO

I think you misread, he meant it was a bad sign *for him* because he didn't get it. I think, at least. I'm sure an unsolicited e-mail from Harvard to check out their school (although, why in the world would they need to do that? They're Harvard...) is never a bad sign.

I agree!

[t-14orbust]

Got that e-mail from JS inviting me to take a closer look at HLS, as if I haven't already dreamt of being admitted. Is it really a bad sign? My numbers are fairly competitive IMO

I think you misread, he meant it was a bad sign *for him* because he didn't get it. I think, at least. I'm sure an unsolicited e-mail from Harvard to check out their school (although, why in the world would they need to do that? They're Harvard...) is never a bad sign.

I agree!

Oh, hopefully that's what he meant. I was under the impression that he meant they send those e-mails in order to boost their selectivity by getting more people to apply and then denying them.