Held By Harvard Club - 2010 Forum

[$1.99]

is it mandatory to send in updated grades if you are held or is it optional like most schools?

[pocketwatcher]

I'm pretty sure it's optional, but unless your grades from last semester will reflect poorly on you, I'd send them in. At least that way you'll demonstrate you're doing everything you can to go to Harvard.

A question for everyone about LOCI: I sent in a letter, actually a week or two before I was held, just updating Harvard on some new jobs I had secured, etc. I didn't include a "why I love Harvard" section. Should I send in something that states explicitly that Harvard is my first choice school, and why I want to go there so much, etc.? It felt a little bit like brown nosing before which is why I didn't include anything like that, but I also want to do all that I can to improve my chances. I do love Harvard.

[Kulax22]

Anyone know what the Financial aid deadline is for HLS? Which forms do you need to fill out for them??

[Nom Sawyer]

Anyone know what the Financial aid deadline is for HLS? Which forms do you need to fill out for them??

The deadline is a long way away and requires Harvard's own forms that they give you once you're admitted.

Additionally you can go ahead and fill out FAFSA and needaccess.org as both will be needed too.

[PoorOrpheus]

Here's another question about LOCI: I haven't sent one and it's been nearly a month since I was held. The reason is that I just graduated and my grades were nothing to write home about (and my GPA is by far the weakest part of my application so I don't really want to draw any attention to it). I have not secured a job in the past month either. Essentially, I have absolutely nothing new to share with the school. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle a LOCI (if it all) under these circumstances?

[Kronk]

Here's another question about LOCI: I haven't sent one and it's been nearly a month since I was held. The reason is that I just graduated and my grades were nothing to write home about (and my GPA is by far the weakest part of my application so I don't really want to draw any attention to it). I have not secured a job in the past month either. Essentially, I have absolutely nothing new to share with the school. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle a LOCI (if it all) under these circumstances?

I might just not, to be honest. Unless you want to just send a very small note saying that if admitted (or maybe worded "given the chance to interview and admitted") you'll withdraw all apps. A de-facto ED. That would be the only thing helpful to the AdComm in my opinion given the circumstances.

[lz06]

Here's another question about LOCI: I haven't sent one and it's been nearly a month since I was held. The reason is that I just graduated and my grades were nothing to write home about (and my GPA is by far the weakest part of my application so I don't really want to draw any attention to it). I have not secured a job in the past month either. Essentially, I have absolutely nothing new to share with the school. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle a LOCI (if it all) under these circumstances?

You could just make it a why harvard. I originally wasn't going to write a LOCI, but then I called the office and asked if it looked bad if I didn't submit anything and the lady said something along the lines of "if we ask for something then that means we'd like to get it" so I was guilted into writing one. Unless you have something bad to say I don't think it can hurt and it shows that you're putting effort into showing the school that you still care. You could also use it to add something like "if you accept me I will definitely attend" (if this is true of course).

[frankjones]

I understand that Harvard typically requires letters of recommendation to come through LSAC, but am wondering if anyone knows whether or not they will accept them directly from held applicants.
Has anyone contacted them directly and received a response to this question?

[$1.99]

they said you can bypass lsdas and send it directly to their admissions office as long as it is sealed by the recommender

[Kretzy]

I understand that Harvard typically requires letters of recommendation to come through LSAC, but am wondering if anyone knows whether or not they will accept them directly from held applicants.
Has anyone contacted them directly and received a response to this question?

Yes they do, and with how inundated LSAC is, they'll probably get there faster. My new LOR was posted to my file in 3 days (sent from Colorado).

[amadeus.vc]

My recommender is teaching overseas this semester, while I am graduated and doing some travelling...I am going to ask him to write a letter, mention my LSAC number in it, sign it, and send it directly to HLS from Asia, is this okay?

[of Benito Cereno]

My recommender is teaching overseas this semester, while I am graduated and doing some travelling...I am going to ask him to write a letter, mention my LSAC number in it, sign it, and send it directly to HLS from Asia, is this okay?

Yes. I had two professors from an international university send their letters directly to Harvard and the letters are now listed on my status checker page. I asked them to list my LSAC number on the letter, put the letter on official stationary, place the letter in an envelope, stamp and seal the seal, write "letter of recommendation" and my lsac number and name on the front of the envelope, and then put it all in a big airmail envelope.

[frankjones]

of Benito Cereno, the postcard I sent along with my LOCI and recommendation was returned to me about a week ago, so I know they were received. However, the letter has still not appeared on my status checker (and I did not yet have four recommendations). Based on when your letters were sent and how long it took for them to be posted on your status checker, do you think I should be concerned or follow up?
Essentially, I'm wondering when letters sent directly to Harvard typically appear on status checkers.

[of Benito Cereno]

of Benito Cereno, the postcard I sent along with my LOCI and recommendation was returned to me about a week ago, so I know they were received. However, the letter has still not appeared on my status checker (and I did not yet have four recommendations). Based on when your letters were sent and how long it took for them to be posted on your status checker, do you think I should be concerned or follow up?
Essentially, I'm wondering when letters sent directly to Harvard typically appear on status checkers.

They appeared on my status checker the day they were received by Harvard. I bought an express envelope for my recommenders that had a tracking number and within a couple of hours of someone signing for the envelope the letters appeared on my page.

[brennanlives]

held today. womp womp.

[$1.99]

lol wtf 177/4.0!? they are still holding people? when did you apply?

[brennanlives]

applied oct/nov.

[Kretzy]

The pessimist in me wants to say a hold is a glorified waitlist, but I dunno...part of me also wants to say that we're candidates that JR (or the other admissions folk) really do like, and hope to admit eventually if they can.

[$1.99]

i don't understand any reason to hold a 177/3.9 unless they have something really bad on their application when they are letting in people with way lesser numbers.

[alex06]

I got held today too...I was surprised because it seemed late in the game. No JR1. I don't know what to make of it, really. Should I stress myself out about the possibility of going to Harvard? Or just concentrate on getting excited about all the acceptances I already have?

[$1.99]

ive been held for over a month now and seeing the numbers of the other held people in this club, i have given up hope and set on retaking the LSAT this june for next cycle

my numbers dont stand a chance against monsters like 177/3.9 lol

[violaboy]

My LOR was processed. But my transcript hasn't been, and I sent that in earlier.

[CordeliusX]

The pessimist in me wants to say a hold is a glorified waitlist, but I dunno...part of me also wants to say that we're candidates that JR (or the other admissions folk) really do like, and hope to admit eventually if they can.

Come on ... no one is coercing them not to admit these held people. they're holding a 3.9 177?! More like candidates they don't like and hope not to admit unless they can't help it.

[swimbrad]

held today. womp womp.

Archer fan? - great show BTW

ps - sorry about the hold, but welcome in

[Kretzy]

The pessimist in me wants to say a hold is a glorified waitlist, but I dunno...part of me also wants to say that we're candidates that JR (or the other admissions folk) really do like, and hope to admit eventually if they can.

Come on ... no one is coercing them not to admit these held people. they're holding a 3.9 177?! More like candidates they don't like and hope not to admit unless they can't help it.

Eh, if I were in JR's position, in my first year at HLS, I'd be extra-cautious. There could be small things he doesn't like in the application (for the 175+/3.8+ folks) or lots of things he does like but wants to make sure he can absorb the numbers (for the 172- or 3.8- folks).