4.0X/175, Want to pick up a soft before I apply Forum

[pichu]

Biology major
4.0X LSDAS GPA
175 LSAT (with one cancelled score)
Went to a Top Public for undergrad (I graduated May 2011)
non-URM male

softs:
2 summers of internship at the DA's Office
tutoring the SAT

What are my chances at HYS? What about $$ at HYS?

ALSO, is there anything I can do between now and when I submit my applications to boost my chances at HYS? (i.e. work in a lab, intern at a law firm, visit them, etc.) Right now I'm working as an SAT tutor part time so I would have time for an internship/job or some other activity.

[EarlCat]

Just apply.

[bk1]

Just apply.

[UCLAtransfer]

I'm sure someone else has more info on this, but my understanding is that there is no $$$ at HYS, just need based, so nothing much you can do there except maybe get poor(er) this year?

[glewz]

You're really likely to get into Harvard, but you won't get any money unless you're very poor (H doesn't award merit-based scholarships). The only person I know who got Harvard need-based aid was working part-time and was raised by a single, low-income parent.

[pichu]

I'm sure someone else has more info on this, but my understanding is that there is no $$$ at HYS, just need based, so nothing much you can do there except maybe get poor(er) this year?

Aren't all law students sort of in the same financial boat? (close to $0 net worth, or debt from undergrad loans)

Or do you mean my parents' net worth?

[bk1]

I'm sure someone else has more info on this, but my understanding is that there is no $$$ at HYS, just need based, so nothing much you can do there except maybe get poor(er) this year?

Aren't all law students sort of in the same financial boat? (close to $0 net worth, or debt from undergrad loans)

Or do you mean my parents' net worth?

Parental income is factored in (they generally expect you to put it in on the FAFSA).

[Teoeo]

retake

[gaud]

I know someone who got into H with almost the same stats (although a 3.9ish GPA) and he said that they were extremely helpful in getting him need-based $$$

[bigkahuna2020]

Contract a life threatening disease?

[samsonyte16]

As other people already mentioned, HYS only give need-based aid, which you may or may not qualify for based on your family's income and assets. You have a good shot at all three, but nothing is for sure. You will probably get some sort of money from CCN, and have a very good shot at a full ride somewhere in the T10. It's a bit late in the game to "pick up a soft," but doing an internship that relates to your future goals couldn't hurt. Use the rest of your spare time working on your personal statement and resume.

[bdubs]

You should try to get a real job. With a bio major and a GPA that high I would think you could land a few good interviews. Something close to 75% of the Harvard class has at least 1 year of WE and more than 50% have 2 or more. I would imagine that your app would stand out in a slightly negative way if you hadn't held a real job during the year between graduating and applying, although I'm not saying that you would be dinged because of it.

[pichu]

Thanks for all of the advice on picking up a soft and the info on scholarships.

I'm going to apply for law internships relevant to the field of law I hope to practice. I think an internship will slightly help my law application (it will at least show that I'm doing something productive in my year off) and it will also help me get better summer internships once I'm in law school.

[071816]

Pick this up at Wal Mart and you'll be in everywhere

[pichu]

Pick this up at Wal Mart and you'll be in everywhere

Just ordered it online

[pichu]

I have been looking a lot at what other people on TLS say about how to get into Harvard (which is almost exclusively good grades and LSAT).

I have a different question. What will get you dinged from HLS, despite good grades and LSAT? (Let's say my grades and LSAT). One answer is applying late in the cycle. Any others?

Also, I live relatively close to Stanford. If I end up working in a biology lab there in my year off, will that show loyalty to Stanford in a positive way for my SLS application? Negatively for Y&H?

[ndirish2010]

retake

Agreed. 4.07 GPA is too good to waste on a 175.

[bdubs]

I have a different question. What will get you dinged from HLS, despite good grades and LSAT? (Let's say my grades and LSAT). One answer is applying late in the cycle. Any others?

One that can get you dinged at almost any school is applying very late. It's not a guaranteed death sentence for someone above both medians, but it never helps with rolling admissions.

[almightypush]

What will get you dinged from HLS, despite good grades and LSAT? (Let's say my grades and LSAT). One answer is applying late in the cycle. Any others?

completely bombing your JR1.

Also, I live relatively close to Stanford. If I end up working in a biology lab there in my year off, will that show loyalty to Stanford in a positive way for my SLS application? Negatively for Y&H?

while i'm unsure as to whether or not S would look at it as "brand loyalty," so to speak, i am certain that neither Y nor H would hold it against you.

[Verity]

You should be holding your nose up to HYS.

[Verity]

Also, this is soft:

--ImageRemoved--

[samsonyte16]

I have been looking a lot at what other people on TLS say about how to get into Harvard (which is almost exclusively good grades and LSAT).

I have a different question. What will get you dinged from HLS, despite good grades and LSAT? (Let's say my grades and LSAT). One answer is applying late in the cycle. Any others?

Also, I live relatively close to Stanford. If I end up working in a biology lab there in my year off, will that show loyalty to Stanford in a positive way for my SLS application? Negatively for Y&H?

Bad recommendation letters, a poorly-written personal statement, sloppy preparation and typos, evidence of dishonesty or potential problems passing the bar.

I've heard SLS favors applicants who demonstrate they really want Stanford, so the lab thing might help. I seriously doubt H or Y would penalize you for it.

[Borhas]

do something you'll find interesting that helps others

alternatively, don't do anything cause you're probably out at Yale and Stanford and in at Harvard regardless of what ever soft you want to pick up

[Verity]

do something you'll find interesting that helps others

alternatively, don't do anything cause you're probably out at Yale and Stanford and in at Harvard regardless of what ever soft you want to pick up

wtf??

Your numbers alone will make you highly competitive at each. Focus on finding something unique and interesting to do in the meantime.

[WarioLaw]

I think it's great how much you are planning and putting thought into this. However, and don't take this the wrong way, I would beware the color by numbers application. HYS all want people that can make unique contributions and have interesting backgrounds. Do something that will help you stand out. If you are another high GPA, high LSAT, some generic law experience and plain vanilla personal statement applicant, you may get bounced at HYS. Find something you are passionate about (great if it is outside of law), get some experience and make sure you separate yourself from the pack with a stellar personal statement.