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just out of curiosity, what does it take to be admitted as a transfer to harvard? what do they look for most? grades, extracurriculars, high school report?
thanks in advance

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:03 pm: Edit

They look to fill holes in the already existing class. It is far harder to be accepted as a transfer than it is to be accepted as a h.s. senior.

By Starbucks (Starbucks) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:10 pm: Edit

thanks for such a quick answer. what kind of holes are they trying to fill? geographic? racial? concentrations?
thanks again.

By Transferkid (Transferkid) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:17 am: Edit

all of the above

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:18 am: Edit

Any kind of holes. They like to create well-rounded classes. It's your luck of the draw if you have what they're looking for.

By Starbucks (Starbucks) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 03:34 am: Edit

i'm trying to figure out whether or not it's worth giving it a try. i'm a freshman at upenn, and harvard deferred, waitlisted, and then rejected me last year. it seems to me like i wouldn't fill any hole's they'd like to fill: i'm a white female from florida, double majoring in biology and maybe classical/medieval studies. besides, i don't know why they'd suddenly want me after rejecting me last year. Do any transfers or anyone else have advice?
thanks

By Jlondon (Jlondon) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 06:24 pm: Edit

hey starbucks...dont discount yourself. im a sophomore transfer this year from ucla (white female, philosophy concentrator, definitely no quotas being filled here unless they want a california girl). the transfer process is pretty tough, but theyre going to look at your high school stuff a lot since youre only a freshman, but also your first term grades, your college recs, and DEFINITELY your essay. you really need to make your essays stand out. i dont mean play some game with them or do something weird and random, but just make them really good and really express who you are and why harvard and you are a good match. i have to run but ill try to write more later. good luck! oh and i was waitlisted as a hs senior too =)

By Slipper2002 (Slipper2002) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 08:01 pm: Edit

Being waitlisted is a good sign, make sure you express why H over Penn. If you do you'll have a really good shot. Oh yeah, get good grades.

By Starbucks (Starbucks) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:51 pm: Edit

does anyone know if there is any way to find out which schools transfers are from, or just general information about transfer acceptees?
thanks again.