HELD @ HARVARD 2012 style Forum

[boosk]

Sorry to derail the above conversation.

Are we really writing LOCI/Why Harvard essays? I tried imagining one and I don't know if I can say anything sincere without stating the freegin obvious (i.e. IT'S HARVARD!).

+12938291038290183210 to this

Well their email did say that if you have a special interest in Harvard to let them know so, if they ask for it, it can't hurt!

It can if you come across superficial

If you can't express why you want to or should go to harvard law in a one page essay without sounding superficial, then I honestly don't think you deserve to get in... just sayin

[WhiteGuy5]

If you can't express why you want to or should go to harvard law in a one page essay without sounding superficial, then I honestly don't think you deserve to get in... just sayin

If you can't read properly, you shouldn't tell someone they don't deserve to go to Harvard.

The RC fail you had missed the point that it's not whether we have good reasons to want to go to Harvard, it's whether those reasons go beyond the fact that the school is generally an amazing place. I mean, it's difficult to say that Harvard would be a perfect fit for you because of X....because...well...it would be a perfect fit for just about everybody for a wide variety of reasons.

Also, even if you do have a "unique" reason for wanting to go to Harvard, crafting a properly written LOCI is still difficult. The danger of coming off a little superficial still exists.

In any event, I DO think I can come up with a decent LOCI for Harvard, actually.

[EMZE]

To comment on everything everyone is saying about LOCI's:

I have a specific program that I not only think is really awesome, but it is uniquely emphasized at H, and I have a background that is well suited to studying and contributing within that program.

Because of the aforementioned, I think I would benefit from writing an LOCI. Picking a program that you are interested in without a background to support it is probably harder to justify.

[Killingly]

To comment on everything everyone is saying about LOCI's:

I have a specific program that I not only think is really awesome, but it is uniquely emphasized at H, and I have a background that is well suited to studying and contributing within that program.

Because of the aforementioned, I think I would benefit from writing an LOCI. Picking a program that you are interested in without a background to support it is probably harder to justify.

This is pretty much exactly what I did. Do I have a legitimate shot? Probably not. But they held me for a reason (I assume), and I figure I might as well try to make my case stronger.

[boosk]

If you can't read properly, you shouldn't tell someone they don't deserve to go to Harvard.

Sorry, my comment wasn't directed at you personally. I just think that at this stage in the game you should have a way to articulate "why harvard?" without sounding superficial. that's all...

[nids333]

Are most of you writing a LOCI? I am just sending in an updated resume and hoping for the best.

[InformationOVERLOAD]

!

[cogitoergosum]

!

Haha, yeah, I know, seriously! I mean - wow... good point.

[vincanity1]

Checking in. Kb1 12/6. Held 1/19. Sent in LOCI and transcripts 2 weeks ago

[lsatcrazy]

Just held, KB1 here too. Any (educated) guesses as to there KB1-->Held stands in relation to Held-->KB1?

[seanPtheB]

How are people addressing KB in their letters? Right now I have Dean Buttenbaum just to be safe, but know it's technically wrong.

[soj]

How are people addressing KB in their letters? Right now I have Dean Buttenbaum just to be safe, but know it's technically wrong.

I'm sure Dean Buttenbaum or Ms Buttenbaum is fine.

[seanPtheB]

How are people addressing KB in their letters? Right now I have Dean Buttenbaum just to be safe, but know it's technically wrong.

I'm sure Dean Buttenbaum or Ms Buttenbaum is fine.

Alright cool thanks soj

[tamereth]

Checking in. KB1 December 5.

[Nelson]

Just held, KB1 here too. Any (educated) guesses as to there KB1-->Held stands in relation to Held-->KB1?

Hard to say given small sample sizes but last year some people went KB1 -> long gap -> hold -> very quick KB2. So I would say if your numbers are competitive don't give up hope yet. Most people who get held don't get KB1s until much later in the cycle so it's hard to compare to your situation.

[Kimberly]

so bittersweet this hold business... I expected auto-reject so I should count my blessings. Sent in updated resume. Here's to hoping.

[rotaxkarter]

I thought it might be nice to gather some data about held applicants, so I made a a Google Doc:

Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie ... NU5meEE6MQ

Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... kRqNU5meEE

For the newly held...

[crosby813]

How are people addressing KB in their letters? Right now I have Dean Buttenbaum just to be safe, but know it's technically wrong.

I'm sure Dean Buttenbaum or Ms Buttenbaum is fine.

I went with Ms. Buttenbaum in mine. I wasn't sure either but I figured that was pretty standard

[Kimberly]

I thought it might be nice to gather some data about held applicants, so I made a a Google Doc:

Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie ... NU5meEE6MQ

Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... kRqNU5meEE

For the newly held...

I filled out the google doc but not sure how useful the information is given that I think the numbers game is pretty much over now. If we made it to held status, we have passed their numbers bar... now, it is about the class profile that matters. The only way the numbers matter now is if you are the same applicant as someone else they are looking at but the numbers differentiate the two (or more) of you. At least, that is what my sources tell me...

[Elendil]

I thought it might be nice to gather some data about held applicants, so I made a a Google Doc:

Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie ... NU5meEE6MQ

Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... kRqNU5meEE

For the newly held...

I think the numbers game is pretty much over now. If we made it to held status, we have passed their numbers bar...

I definitely don't think this is true... we're seeing that a lot of people with (typically) auto-reject and (dare I say?) auto-admit numbers are being held. What if the "class profile" calls for students with highers GPA's or LSAT's? Or if the admit drop this year affects Harvard more than they anticipate? I think held is exactly what they say it is -- it means that they're interested, but not yet sure what they want to do with you.

[Nelson]

I thought it might be nice to gather some data about held applicants, so I made a a Google Doc:

Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie ... NU5meEE6MQ

Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... kRqNU5meEE

For the newly held...

I filled out the google doc but not sure how useful the information is given that I think the numbers game is pretty much over now. If we made it to held status, we have passed their numbers bar... now, it is about the class profile that matters. The only way the numbers matter now is if you are the same applicant as someone else they are looking at but the numbers differentiate the two (or more) of you. At least, that is what my sources tell me...

I doubt this based on the massive number of holds and the people who got in after being held last year. Most people who went hold->JR1/JR2 had Harvard numbers to begin with (i.e. were above one or both medians). I suspect most of the people who get in will come from the top portion of the hold pool numerically and the rest of us will be waitlisted.

[rotaxkarter]

I thought it might be nice to gather some data about held applicants, so I made a a Google Doc:

Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie ... NU5meEE6MQ

Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... kRqNU5meEE

For the newly held...

I filled out the google doc but not sure how useful the information is given that I think the numbers game is pretty much over now. If we made it to held status, we have passed their numbers bar... now, it is about the class profile that matters. The only way the numbers matter now is if you are the same applicant as someone else they are looking at but the numbers differentiate the two (or more) of you. At least, that is what my sources tell me...

I doubt this based on the massive number of holds and the people who got in after being held last year. Most people who went hold->JR1/JR2 had Harvard numbers to begin with (i.e. were above one or both medians). I suspect most of the people who get in will come from the top portion of the hold pool numerically and the rest of us will be waitlisted.

I agree with this, though I want to add that I think URMs and Internationals are probably playing a different 'game' then the rest of the held pool.

[Nelson]

I agree with this, though I want to add that I think URMs and Internationals are probably playing a different 'game' then the rest of the held pool.

URMs and internationals are definitely a different story. All of you guys from the 51st state seem to be having a rough cycle despite awesome numbers, though are most of you straight from undergrad as well? Do we have enough data to separate being Canadian from lacking WE yet?

EDIT: Nevermind, forgot you were nontrad as well. There goes my no WE theory.

[80eight]

Anyone wanna trade LOCI now? PM me please!

[naf34]

How many people do you think are being held? 100? 500?.....