Frequently Asked Questions
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
Frequently Asked Questions
If I use Harvard and Hardship LLC, I'll get into my dream school, right?
Maybe.
Harvard and Hardship LLC is not affiliated with Harvard University, Harvard Law School, the Ivy League, or any other private or public college or university. We make no guarantees or promises, neither explicit nor implied, that clients will be granted admission to any school. In fact, we encourage clients to apply to a variety of schools, dream schools included.
However, we specialize in crafting admissions strategies that help clients present themselves in a compelling and authentic way to college and law school admissions offices.
How is it true that Harvard and Hardship LLC helps students, "no matter their social or economic background" but also charges for its services? Isn't that hypocritical?
Guiding students through college and law school is the priority of Harvard and Hardship LLC; this is not a "hussle" or side job. Therefore, clients are charged as compensation for advice and time.
Can Angel write my admissions essay or personal statement for me?
Crafting your admissions essay is a collaborative process. I will hold your hand by providing:
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detailed suggestions and examples of what aspects of your life to share and how to share them in a cohesive manner,
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strategy on how to seamlessly make the "why law school" connection,
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cues on where and how to engage the admissions reader using storytelling techniques, and
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expert advice on grammar, sentence structure, and variation.
Can I speak to Angel directly?
Yes, provided that you have purchased a consulting service. First, however, you must submit an application for service, be approved, and submit payment.
How do I get started?
To get started with your law school application:
1) Submit an application for service.
2) Once your application is approved, you will be sent a link to Checkout.
3) After you submit payment and complete necessary paperwork, you will have access to Angel's schedule to set up an Initial Conversation and get started!
Are virtual consultations available?
Absolutely! Once you submit a down payment (or full payment) for your selected service, you will have access to Angel's calendar and be able to schedule a Zoom meeting.
What is the consulting process like?
1) Application & Intake
First, interested clients must submit an application for services. Once the application is approved by Angel, the prospective client is then permitted to submit payment (or initial payment of a payment plan) and proceed with services.
2) Initial Conversation
All services begin with a 1-hour conversation (via Zoom) where I get a chance to meet you and hear more intimately about your story, career aspirations, and other elements that are necessary to crafting a unique strategy. I'll ask a ton of questions, but I'm just trying to gather all the “intel” I need to put myself in your shoes, such that I can help tell your story in an authentic way that is engaging, yet cohesive and illuminates the relevancy of your experiences to law school.
3) Strategy Outline
Angel: Based on the Initial Conversation, I create a custom outline that you will use to write a rough draft of your personal statement. The Strategy Outline includes guidance on which parts of your story to tell and where, as well as examples of storytelling tactics and how to implement them, specifically, in your personal statement. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for writing a personal statement (or other admissions document), so I find the Strategy Outline to be a very crucial step in the process.
Client: You write a rough draft based on the order and examples provided in the Strategy Outline.
4) Content Revision
Angel: I edit the rough draft for content. Meaning, I edit for story flow, believability, and pertinence to law school (or graduate school, for those applying to other graduate degree programs). Here is just a snapshot of what I check for during the Content Revision phase: Does your story make sense? Is it cohesive? Is there a believable connection to law school? Are the sentences too choppy, or do they flow effortlessly, thereby making the admissions reader forget that they're even reading a personal statement? Are the transitions apparent enough to signal the admissions reader that they're transitioning to the next part of your story, yet subtle enough such that the flow and momentum of the story aren't interrupted?
Client: After accepting (or rejecting) the revision edits, you submit a revision for another round of editing.
5) Grammatical Edit
Angel: I edit for typos, grammatical errors, and syntax (i.e., sentence structure and variation).
Client: After accepting (or rejecting) the grammatical edits, you submit the final version.
6) Final Review
Angel: I complete a final review of the product, checking for cohesiveness, flow, typos, and essentially, ensure a well-polished product.
Client: After accepting (or rejecting) any additional suggestions, you now have a final product ready for submission.
If the client has purchased a package or combination deal, then the process begins anew (starting with the Initial Conversation) for each document. For instance, a client who purchases the T14 Package will move through the following process:
Personal Statement: Initial Conversation->Strategy Outline->Content->Edit->Grammatical Edit->Final Review
Diversity Statement: Conversation->Strategy Outline->Content Edit->Grammatical Edit->Final Review
Resume: Conversation->Strategy Outline->Content Edit->Grammatical Edit->Final Review
Addendum: Conversation->Strategy Outline->Content Edit->Grammatical Edit->Final Review
How long will it take? What is the turnaround time?
- Intake, payment, and scheduling initial conversation - after you submit an application for service, please allow 2-3 business days for processing paperwork and payment
- Initial Conversation - After the Initial Conversation, please allow 2-3 business days before you receive your Strategy Outline. Once you receive the Strategy Outline, you will then write and submit a rough draft.
- Content Revision - after you submit your rough draft, please allow 2-3 business days before you receive your Content Revision edits. You will then revise the rough draft based on the suggestions I provided in the Content Revision edits.
- Grammatical Edit - After you submit your revised draft, please allow 2-3 business days before you receive Grammatical Edits.
- Final Review – After you submit the revision after the grammatical edit, please allow at least 2-3 business days before you receive final feedback.
Accounting for both consultant and client turnaround times, it usually takes 12-16 business days before the client has a complete, final product that is ready for submission to law school. For combination deals and packages, please add to the time frame to account for each new document. Example:
Personal Statement + Diversity Statement = (2 documents) = 15-18 business days
T14 Package (Personal Statement, Diversity Statement, Resume, Addendum, Letters of Recommendation Strategy, and Mock Interview) = 20-32 business days
But I'm in a hurry. Can I get my edits rushed?
I completely understand the time-sensitivity of law school applications. However, I must also service clients fairly, based on when they initiated services. September - December tend to be "peak season" for law school applications. That said, if your document(s) must be submitted to the academic institution within 10 days from the date you submit payment and signed contract to Harvard and Harship, or you simply wish to move up in the queue with priority attention, the following Expedited Services are available:
$200 - two documents or less that must be completed within 10 days from the date of submitting payment and contract
$400 - three documents or more that must be completed within 10 days from the date of submitting payment and contract
If you purchase an Expedited Service, we will complete your application document(s) in 1/2 the time (perhaps less), provided you submit the rough drafts and revisions quickly, as well. For instance, in the past a client (who purchased the Expedited Service) and I were able to complete a Law School Application Package (Personal Statement + Diversity Statement + Resume + Addendum) in 10 business days. However, the client was also very timely with quick turn-arounds in submitting their rough drafts and revisions.
For your application materials to be expedited, payment for expediting must be submitted in addition to payment (or initial payment of a payment plan) for the consulting service BEFORE the Initial Conversation. To have your documents expedited, please add the appropriate expediting service to the cart at checkout.
Do you help with personal statements to graduate school programs other than law school?
Yes. I have also helped clients apply to the following programs: Public Policy/Public Administration (MPP/MPA), Masters of Business Administration (MBA), and Accelerated Nursing (BSN).
Applicants to other graduate schools other than law school follow the same consulting process as law school applicants (i.e., Initial Conversation --> Strategy Outline --> Content Revision --> Grammatical Edit), but the storyline is focused on the pertinent graduate school. Meaning, we will focus on illuminating how your background and experience are relevant to the program to which you are seeking admission. As with the law school personal statement, it is important to tell your story in a humanistic, engaging manner. Nevertheless, it is still of utmost importance to ensure that your story is believable, the syntax flows effortlessly; and the transitions are smooth.
What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up until the Initial Conversation begins. Refund requests will not be honored for rendered services.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes! Once your application is approved, you will be provided a link to the checkout page. At checkout, you will be able to select from a variety of payment plans:
Option 1 - 1 payment
Option 2 - 2 monthly payments
Option 3 - 3 monthly payments. Only available for services totaling $1,000 or more.
Option 4 - 4 monthly payments. Only available for services totaling $1,500 or more.
For recurring plans, payments are processed on the same day each month (i.e., If you submit your first payment on February 1st, then subsequent payments will be processed automatically on March 1st, April 1st, etc.)
What is the $150 refundable deposit for? How do I make sure it is refunded?
The following policies are necessary to ensure that clients are serviced in a timely manner that is fair to others awaiting services.