Applying To Harvard Law: A Uk Student's Guide

Harvard Law School is the world's premier centre for legal education and research, offering unparalleled opportunities to study law and related disciplines in an energetic and creative learning environment. The school provides a transformative experience for its students, preparing them for success in various careers, including law practice, public service, business, and academia. With its exceptional faculty, students, and alumni, Harvard Law School plays a pivotal role in contributing to solutions for the world's most complex legal and social challenges.

Applying to Harvard Law School as an international student from the UK involves several key steps and considerations. Firstly, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the admission criteria and academic requirements. Harvard Law School seeks exceptional undergraduate academic records, standardised test scores in the top percentiles, and substantial accomplishments beyond the classroom. While there is no mechanical formula for admission decisions, the admissions committee carefully evaluates each applicant's past accomplishments and future potential.

The application process typically involves submitting transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or essay. Additionally, international applicants may need to provide visa documentation and meet specific requirements, such as demonstrating English language proficiency.

To increase your chances of admission, it's advisable to start preparing early, build a strong academic profile, engage in extracurricular activities, and showcase your unique strengths and experiences in your application.

Application process

Harvard Law School is the world's premier centre for legal education and research. The school provides unparalleled opportunities to study law and related disciplines in an energetic and creative learning environment.

Harvard Law School offers three types of academic programs for international students: the J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree, the LL.M (Master of Laws) degree, and the S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) degree. The J.D. program is a three-year postgraduate program that requires full-time study beginning in the fall semester of each year. The LL.M and S.J.D. degrees are intended for students who have previously earned an initial law degree.

The admissions process at Harvard Law School is holistic, taking into account a variety of factors beyond just academic performance. The school seeks students with exceptional undergraduate academic records, standardised test scores in the top percentiles, and substantial accomplishments in work or extracurricular activities. Work experience, leadership skills, and intangible qualities such as energy, ambition, and concern for others are also considered.

• Build your foundation blocks: Familiarise yourself with Harvard's admission criteria and academic requirements. Focus on achieving excellent grades and consider taking challenging courses that demonstrate your intellectual curiosity. Take standardised tests like the SAT, ACT, or GRE to boost your application.
• Craft your application: All applicants to Harvard Law School, including those from the UK, must apply via the Common Application or Coalition. Choose the right course for you and gather all the required documents, including academic transcripts, standardised test scores, and any extra materials. Complete the application supplement and collect teacher and school reports. Prepare a strong statement of purpose that showcases your personality, motivations, and aspirations.
• Stand out from the crowd: Highlight your extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, or work experience. Mention any prizes, competitions, or initiatives you have been involved in. Anything that showcases your unique experiences, perspectives, or talents will help you stand out.
• Connect with Harvard: Attend information sessions, webinars, or virtual tours offered by Harvard to gain firsthand knowledge about the university. Reach out to current students or alumni to learn about their experiences. Research your course, department, and the opportunities available on campus and in Massachusetts.

It is important to note that applying for a student visa is not part of the initial application process. If you receive an offer and accept it, you will then need to apply for a student visa.

The application process for Harvard Law School is competitive, so it is important to start preparing as early as possible and to seek guidance if needed.

Student visas

If you are an international applicant looking for information about visas, it is recommended that you review the information provided by Harvard's International Office.

If you are a UK citizen and want to study in the US, you will need to obtain a US Student Visa. This is required for any period of study longer than six months.

To be eligible for a US Student Visa, you must have received an offer from a licensed student sponsor. The US Student Visa replaced the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa in October 2020. The new visa is available to UK citizens who are aged 16 or over.

You can apply for a US Student Visa in the United States or elsewhere outside the US. The earliest you can apply is six months before the start of your course. You will usually get a decision on your visa within three weeks.

The visa covers your course length and a short period after. It can be extended or switched if you wish to remain in the US for further study or work once your course is finished.

When you submit your application, you will need to provide a portfolio of information and documents that demonstrate your eligibility for the visa. This includes:

• A current passport or other valid travel documentation
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
• Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you are under 18 years old
• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you are under 18 years old

Any documents that are not in English must be translated by an accredited translator. You need to include both the original and the translated version in your portfolio of documents.

As part of the application process, you will need to prove your identity. Typically, you will need to do one of the following:

• Give your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) at a visa application centre in the US. You will need to pay £19.20 to provide your biometric information.
• Use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document. If you are asked to do this, you will need to create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

If your application is successful, you will either:

• Collect a biometric residence permit, if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre
• Be given a digital immigration status that you can access online, if you used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app

If you provided biometric information, you will need to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of the date you intend to arrive in the US.

Entry Stamp

When you arrive in the US, you will need to get an 'entry stamp' from a US Border Control officer. This is an endorsement stamped in your passport on your student visa.

If you have a temporary travel visa or visa vignette (sticker), the immigration official at the airport will stamp it with the date you entered the US. This 'activates' your visa and ensures that the Home Office UKVI records the date, location and type of visa you used to enter the US.

The only exception is if you are an eligible e-Gate user and have entered the US via e-Gate (without seeing a Border Force official).

Academic requirements

Harvard Law School is the world's premier centre for legal education and research. It provides unparalleled opportunities to study law and related disciplines in an energetic and creative learning environment.

Harvard Law School's J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree is a three-year postgraduate programme that gives students the intellectual foundations for legal study and the opportunity to focus their studies on areas of particular interest. The programme culminates with a third-year paper that requires students to engage in a rigorous exploration of some aspect of the law or legal system.

To be eligible for the J.D. degree at Harvard Law School, applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) by August of the year of intended enrolment. The degree requires three years of full-time study, beginning in September of each year, and is only offered as a full-time programme.

Harvard Law School does not specify minimum academic requirements. However, successful applicants typically have outstanding academic records with high grades and challenging coursework. Applicants should strive for academic excellence and take advantage of advanced academic programmes or qualifications, such as A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.

Harvard Law School considers applicants' academic records, including transcripts and test scores, as part of their admissions process. While there is no requirement for a minimum GPA, Harvard Law School typically expects students to have a GPA ranging from 3.9 to 4.18, depending on their chosen course and individual application. This is equivalent to almost straight As.

Additionally, Harvard Law School offers applicants the opportunity to submit standardised test scores, such as the SAT, ACT, or GRE, as part of their application. While this is not mandatory, submitting high scores can boost an application and prove academic aptitude. For the SAT, a minimum score of 1460 is recommended, while for the ACT, a minimum score of 34-36 is suggested.

It is important to note that Harvard Law School's admissions decisions are based on the totality of available information about each applicant. The admissions committee considers not only academic records but also work experience, extracurricular activities, and intangible qualities such as energy, ambition, sound judgment, and concern for the welfare of others.

Extracurricular activities

When applying to Harvard Law School, extracurricular activities are important. They demonstrate to admissions officers that you are an active, well-rounded individual who is engaged in the world in ways that serve a higher purpose than just getting good grades or earning a paycheck. While extracurriculars are typically less important than grades and LSAT scores, they can carry more weight than other soft factors, such as work experience, letters of recommendation, or the college you attended.

Debate Team

Participating in debate is excellent training for aspiring lawyers. It helps you develop strong communication skills, form persuasive arguments, and learn how to present them effectively. Debate also teaches you to analyse and interpret logical relationships between texts, which is a valuable skill for distilling nuanced arguments from complex legal information.

Pre-Law Society

Joining a pre-law society demonstrates your passion for law and helps you develop essential skills. These organisations often initiate law-related activities on campus, such as moot courts, mock trials, negotiation workshops, and cross-examination exercises.

Model United Nations and Similar Competitions

Participating in Model United Nations or competitions like Student Congress allows you to test your diplomatic skills and your ability to negotiate and mediate disputes. While these competitions may be less intense, they are still highly valuable for the skills they help students develop through preparation and participation.

Student Government

Being a part of student government showcases your leadership skills and indicates that you are respected by your peers. To maximise the impact of this extracurricular, aim to demonstrate tangible results from your tenure in office and show how you contributed positively to your school community.

Start Your Own Organisation

Starting an initiative or club related to your specific area of interest, such as real estate law, is an excellent way to stand out as a leader. Taking it a step further by starting your own company in an area like real estate showcases your ability to be a strong candidate with a clear application persona.

Research

Conducting research with a professor in a field related to your interests, such as environmental law or ethics, helps you develop skills in data collection and analysis. It also demonstrates your dedication to exploring your field of interest in-depth.

Publications

Law school demands strong writing skills, so contributing to or starting a pre-law journal or law review can be beneficial. Being a published author in a law journal would undoubtedly enhance your application. Additionally, submitting articles allows you to provide other interested students with an outlet for their writing.

Jobs and Internships

Admissions officers look favourably upon legal work experience or internships. Working at a law firm as a legal assistant or interning for a senator provides valuable insights into the legal field and helps build a strong resume. Even opportunities that may not seem directly "legal" at first glance, such as jobs in education, marketing, or journalism, can be valuable if you can tie the relevant skills back to your JD goals.

Volunteer Work

Volunteering in your community or in fields related to your intended legal practice, such as refugee initiatives for aspiring immigration lawyers, is an excellent way to demonstrate your commitment to helping others and promoting causes you're passionate about. Organising drives, filming documentaries, or participating in bake sales are unique ways to contribute and make your application stand out.

Interviews

If an in-person interview is not possible, candidates may be interviewed remotely by Zoom, WhatsApp, or over the phone.

• Start practising early on.
• Try out common interview questions.
• Review your statement of purpose, as you may be asked questions based on it.
• Gather some readings and think of some life experiences that you can reference in your answers.
• Check out resources for preparing for an online interview.
• What drives you as a person?
• What have you read recently?
• What are your hopes for the future?
• Can you tell me about a time of hardship, and how you dealt with it?

Frequently asked questions