How to Get Into Harvard Law with the LITERAL Dean of Admissions | ATB #28

WEEK 28: How to Get Into Harvard Law (with the Dean of Admissions). Welcome to the Charles River. This week, we sit down with Dean Kristi Jobson—the literal Dean of Admissions—to answer the question everyone wants to know: what does it actually take to get into Harvard Law School? We start with Dean Jobson’s story—how she ended up at Harvard, what law school looked like when she was a student, and how she eventually took on one of the most influential roles in legal education. Along the way, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to shape a class at the highest level.Then we dive into the main topic: the admissions process. We walk step-by-step through how applications are actually reviewed—from the first reader to the second reader to full committee discussions—and what really matters when decisions get made. One of the biggest takeaways: Harvard Law is far more holistic than people think. Numbers matter, but they’re not the whole story—and relying on them alone is a mistake.We break down the key components of an application:- GPA and LSAT (and how much they actually matter today)- Personal statements and how to stand out without sounding manufactured- Letters of recommendation, work experience, and extracurriculars- The interview—and what separates candidates at the highest levelWe also tackle some of the biggest misconceptions about Harvard Law admissions. Should you hide your political views? Can an application be too polished? Along the way, we cover the numbers: nearly 9,000 applicants, an admit rate just over 9%, and a class filled with near-perfect GPAs and LSAT scores. But more importantly, we focus on what those numbers don’t capture—and how applicants can distinguish themselves in a hyper-competitive pool.We also get into some lighter (and surprisingly revealing) moments, like how accurate Legally Blonde actually is.Then, of course, Girl Problems:- What’s the best profession for a lawyer to marry?- And is intra-section dating as a 1L a terrible idea?Email [email protected] with your questions/comments or submit a voice memo at https://www.speakpipe.com/approachthebench for a chance to be featured on the show! You can also submit anonymous comments through this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9Zjxzkpwajivx19z8