quietman

Thanks for the reply! I guess I was probably naive in thinking that because I did so well on the LSAT I'd just stroll into the GRE and breeze through the verbal part without any specific study for the exam; I think I overestimated how similar they'd be. I'm also glad you say that the GRE is quite learnable, because one of my worries is that progression tends to be significantly more difficult than it was for the LSAT, a test that I had some early problems with too but eventually mastered apart from logic games. I'd think I'd still like to do the joint degree (in which case I could apply without this pesky GRE!) and I admit that my stated gravitation toward the MPP is part rationalization given that I'm disappointed I probably won't be able to afford that.

Hi, I scored in the 99th percentile when I wrote the LSAT about a year and a half ago and only missed three questions combined on the three sections (one reading comprehension and two logical reasoning) that are highly relevant to the verbal part of the GRE. Given how well I did there I thought the verbal portion of the GRE would be a breeze, but after doing my first practice questions today I've realized that it's much more difficult than I thought, as I scored only 15 out of 20 on part of a 'Diagnostic' from Manhattan, which according to a table in the book would only put me in what I believe was the 158-161 range and nowhere near the 99th percentile. Is it unusual for someone to get a very high score on the LSAT but struggle like that with the verbal part of the GRE? I understand that I'm early in my prep, but considering the studying I did for the LSAT it's disheartning to see my scores here.

Thanks for the response! It's only feasible for me to pursue one degree and I prefer that to be the MPP. I'm just a bit worried that I won't get in, as in that case I may end up giving my HLS acceptance for nothing. I think I'll have solid numbers (very good GPA but haven't written the GRE) but I only have two years of post-undergrad work expeirence (though I do have some notable volunteer positions), don't speak multiple languages, and haven't taken relevant courses like economics, so I'm a bit anxious about my chances of admission; with HLS it seemed more numbers base so there wasn't as much doubt.

Thanks for the detailed response and good luck with your applications! It's been tough deciding what route to pursue. I'd love to do the JD/MPP but it's a bit costly and given that I want to work in policy rather than in legal jobs requiring the JD I'm not sure how much value the latter would be, whether on its own or with the MPP. I also want to work internationally (particularly in Canada) and I'm not sure how useful and American law degree would be, even if it's from Harvard.

Hello, I have been admitted to Harvard Law School for 2018 but realise that I would rather purse an MPP, so I plan to defer a year, write the GRE (I can't use the LSAT unless I apply for the joint program during my first year of law school--but that would be far too expensive), then apply to the MPP program this fall. With that in mind I have a few questions: 1. Does anyone know if already already being admitted to one program at Harvard raises my chances of getting into HKS for the MPP? 2. I have quite a high GPA (4.0 range) and scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT but have not done math in a while and fear that my score on the quant section of the GRE will be notably lower. Does anyone know the standard quant score (and if possible, scores for the other sections) is for admits to the MPP program? 3. Harvard Law School admissions are on a rolling basis from September to February, with one's chances of admission decreasing the later they apply in the cycle. Is this the same with MPP admissions? 4. I took no courses in Economics or Statistics. How much will this likely hurt me at HKS? Thank you