thanks for your responses about difference between the integrated program at W and separate application at yale.
However harvard and yale do have a combined Jd/mba program. Can you choose to apply separately to HBS/HLS in the same cycle even though you want this combined program?
One advantage for separate application can be that you don't need to justify the need for joint program through essays. So the bschool essay can solely focus on post mba goals and L-school essay can focus on post-jd goals, which may be different. Since either school would only look at their essays (the applicant wouldn't check the joint application option in the application and wouldn't write the joint goals essay), it makes the application easier. But if you checked the "joint jd/mba" option in the application, then the both HLS and HBS would discuss application/essays with each other.