HLS in Focus

With April 15 (the start of the transfer application season) right around corner, we wanted to catch up with a few folks who successfully navigated the process last year. Here’s a snippet from a recent exchange we had with 2L transfer Mark Cianci:

Why did you want to transfer to HLS?

The reputation of HLS is incredible, and graduating from HLS opens up opportunities that would be unavailable almost anywhere else. Especially when vying for competitive clerkship positions, being from HLS is a huge plus. So many incredible jurists have graduated from HLS, and even now many of the important decisions that will be shaping our country’s future are being made by HLS alums. I realized in my first year of law school that so many legal developments had their origins at HLS – from either a professor or a student-turned-practitioner, and I wanted to be a part of that environment.

What do you think of HLS so far? Do you have a favorite element?

I am extremely impressed with HLS – it is better than I expected, and I am so happy to be here. I think my favorite element is the atmosphere; we’re all aware of the incredible people who have gone before us as HLS students, and that imparts a sense of gravity. At the same time, there is always so much going on, with HLS involved in so many of the cutting edge legal issues, so there is a sense of bustling excitement. While it is still tempting to slip into the “I’m just trying to get good grades” mode, the atmosphere of HLS is a constant reminder that being a law student means so much more.

What advice do you have for those students currently at other schools looking to transfer to HLS?

You have to really put your all into that first year, academically and otherwise, and you will probably emerge as the sort of student HLS is looking for in their transfer class. That being said, there were a couple areas in which I wish I was more forward-looking. First, anyone considering transferring to HLS should definitely participate in the Harvard Law Review competition, as well as competing for a slot on your current law school’s law review. While transfers are still able to join any other journal without participating in the Law Review competition, and while my experience with the Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review has been terrific, I still wish I had at least given the Harvard Law Review a shot. Second, you need to apply as early as possible, especially to streamline your participation in fall recruiting. I ended up bidding on jobs through my first school, getting a number of interviews, and then having to decline all those interviews (because you are supposed to interview in coordination with the school at which you will be for the fall semester). I had to send explanations to all the firms that had given me interviews that I was still interested but would have to defer until Harvard’s OCI session. Although the firms were understanding, it was a hassle that I could have avoided if I started the whole process earlier. But with those two cautions, I would say the best way to prepare to transfer to HLS is to go all out and enjoy your first year – your school, your professors, and your classmates.