any suggestions on how to break up the word limit while addressing different parts of the question for the personal statement?

Yo,

Im applying to Harv too (in vain hope probably), and was wondering the same thing.....
Also, are you handing your application in by November?

i'm submitting it in on dec 1st...

i'm so stressed out!!! i'm having trouble writting on the application forms. have you been able to do that?

Iv not even started the online application yet, im still trying to pull together the info for the LSAC credential service (applying from the U.K.) and my final year starts today too!

I guess to split the word limit in half is ok?????

split it 1000/500 in favour of the legal problem essay.

I suggest allocating just enough words to write a concise and cogent legal essay, and using the remaining word count towards your personal essay. This is especially if you have strong grades or stellar qualifications from a well regarded University -- HLS is unlikely to question your academic ability in this case.

Also, the personal essay is extremely important as it gives the assessor a window into who you are as a person, your character, and how you can contribute to the diversity of the student body. All things being equal, I think that HLS will focus more on the personal essay rather than the legal essay if they have to pick between 2 candidates.

This is why it is crucial to pick a legal topic that you can deal with in 700-900 words. I would be careful about allocating more than 1,000 words for the legal essay. Be economical and selective in your words and get your points across succinctly. Your mileage may vary (as with all things, there is no right or wrong approach), but I find that 800 words for the legal essay is enough for me.

Dear GlasgowLaw

Iv not even started the online application yet, im still trying to pull together the info for the LSAC credential service (applying from the U.K.) and my final year starts today too!

I guess to split the word limit in half is ok?????


With regard to your post, I just needed to ask whether there is any online application for Harvard. As far as I know for HLS you have to submit a paper application.

And Dear all I just needed to ask one thing abt the mode of payment of fees for the Harvard LL.M course 2009.....

The application instructions states that the fees should be paid in the form of a money order or a check drawn on a bank with a U.S. branch indicated on the check and made out to Harvard Law School, must accompany each application.
Will a demand draft in US$ (also known as a banker's check) made out to Harvard Law School" be acceptable?

Please suggest..

Brightest

yes, a banker's check made out to harvard law school will be acceptable... it will be payable at new york, if you do it through a bank like stan chart/ citi/ deutsche, its the easiest because they have their us branches, and it will be payable at new york, though you dont have to tell the bank that.. they'l do it anyways

and hls does not have an online application.

Hey i_love_my_llm.....thanks a ton for ur reply.......u hv chosen an unusual name....but i could make out ur passion ofr ll.m.....are u doing it or u r planning to apply for it......and one more thing....its not related to harvard law school....rather NYU.....I'm stuck with one essay which requires "two contributions I can make towards NYU school of law if I get an admission"....I dont know wat kind of contribution they are asking for.....i mean if you can just suggest broadly wat they are asking for.......

brightest

Guys,

Any suggestions on the Columbia persoanl statement? I'm lost. what do i need to right in academic interests? and in the reasons for doing so? i need help!

hey brightest.. well, i actually love my llm, which is at harvard, and glad to help out... unfortunately nyu was the only college to deny me admission, so my suggestion may not be very fruitful, but the question is for the hauser, and i had written on how i could contribute to develpment of new thoughts on what i wanted to do my research on in law school... but go by someone who got it and not me. for columbia, i had basically shortened my harvard essay and focused more on the personal statement part and blended in with the legal essay to show my academic interest. bottomline, the essays for whichever college should sound academic and not totally about yourself, because remember this is a postgraduate level essay and your cv can vouch for how good you are and your achievements.

hey i_love_my_llm,

regarding the columbia PS, how much detail do we need to write about in the background part?

Dear i_love_my_ll.m....

thanks for your valuable suggestions......I'll surely keep them in mind....harvard is grt n better than NYU i suppose....which concentration do u have in ur ll.m.????????

brightest

hi brigtest, i have no problem with nyu rejecting me, since i have no doubt that i am doing a far better program. i am doing a mixture of corporate and constitution law courses, and they are all amazing. i would suggest if you are interested in corporate to consider hls, cls and sls as your top 3 choices, followed by nyu, chicago, upenn

hey thanks for the advice.....did u applied for the financial assistance?????...i'm applying for it but the financial aid form is quite technical....i mean i dont have much resources to apply for HLS....and do u think with the disclosure of such small resources they will consider me????????.....wat is the best way to go abt it?????

Brightest

harvard will give you very good aid if you get in.. and the admissions is need-blind, one of the few schools which is like that, so entry is on merit 100%, and the aid application will be processed separately and you will know 3 weeks later about your aid

so be honest and write what resources you have, they will likely look at tht 8 page thing only once you get an admissions offers.. if u have the merit to get into HLS, they will ensure to take care to get you to boston

hey thanks i_love_my_ll.m.....I'm concentrating on my personal statements dese days but really confused abt the legal essay....i hv written it but the topic is not very talked abt types....so i fear if the selection commitee finds it little boring.......

wats ur real name (if u r comfortable) and which country u belong to???????....

Does anyone have a personal statement from a succesful applicant?

Dear All,

I just discovered that HLS also accepts online credit card payment of the application money...........has anyone used that service??????

Just wanted to know that whether the payment shd be made first and then the application material be dispatched or can the payment be made after dat also???????...i mean will they give any email confirmation of the payment made which has to be enclosed with the application material?????????

Hi Brightest,

Where from did you discover HLS accepts online credit card payment as well? It would be very convenient if we could pay by credit card but I wonder how it works when they don't have online application system. Any additional info would be appreciated.