Columbia to Harvard

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm applying for transfer to Harvard to hopefully enter as a sophomore. I'm a hispanic female fluent in Spanish and basically fluent in French. I was the valedictorian of my high school with a 4.0+ GPA. My SAT I was 800W, 770CR, and 710M. For my SAT IIs I got 790 French, 750 Lit, and 770 US History. At Columbia, for my first semester I took 22 credits, which is the maximum without a waiver (6 academic classes and also piano), and I got a 3.77. (3 As, 2 A-, and 1 B+) My two recs will be great. One of them will be from a class in which I met with the TA individually every week, so I got to know him really well. </p>

<p>As for extracurriculars, I worked at the Spectator translating articles in English to Spanish for the Spanish page. I also worked at the Double Discovery Center to tutor a NYC underprivileged high school student. In high school, I got first place in the National Spanish Exam (bilingual division) junior year, and I got first place regionally every year in the National French Contest and first place nationally in 2004. I'm also a Kluge Scholar at Columbia. I also play piano.</p>

<p>What do you say my chances are? I'll apply even if everyone says there's no chance, but I was wondering if I could have hope...</p>

2

<p>You have a very good shot at Harvard, which I'm sure you already know. </p>

<p>If you are interested in any other schools (Yale, Brown, etc.) be sure to apply. You are a very favorable applicant at any school.</p>

3

<p>I'm sure you'll get in.</p>

4

<p>You basically have what you'd need to get into Harvard. I think your admission will probably come down to things like your reason for wanting to transfer.</p>

5

<p>Yes, I think it will come down to the essays.</p>

6

<p>This is great to hear, thanks! I was actually worried because of my first semester GPA. Do you think that it is a negative factor?</p>

7

<p>3.77 is a great GPA from Columbia so I'm sure it won't count against you. It even attests to your determination to work hard. If it does, you have other unique factors in regards to your ECs that I think will overshadow it.</p>

8

<p>You took 6 classes at Columbia, thats admirable. Probably more admirable than most people on this board recognize. Good luck to you.</p>

9

<p>Thank-you so much! I'm hoping for the best!</p>

10

<p>Columbia has a good record in terms of number of Harvard transfers...there are at least 3-4 that I know of this term. There may be more for the spring.</p>

11

<p>damn, i think you're in. And you're hispanic...thats great! viva la raza!</p>

12

<p>id say youre in</p>

13

<p>you have so many hooks, a 3.8 from Columbia, and an outstanding HS record...i say apply to any other Ivy/Standford/MIT (except Princeton ofcourse...and if MIT/Standford are your types of schools, not sure if they are if you're coming from Columbia to Harvard) because you have a great shot at them all...especially if you applied last year and got waitlisted or even deferred ED
i'd say it comes down to your essays...really focus on why Harvard would be a better match (what does it have that Columbia doesn't? if you answer that question, you won't nag too much on Columbia, yet you'd focus on the pros of Harvard)
good luck!</p>

14

<p>What were the six courses you took at Columbia?</p>

15

<p>good shot man</p>

16

<p>I took:
Lit Hum (core)
Frontiers of Science (core)
French and Francophone Studies (3000 level)
Revolutionary America (3000 level)
International Politics
German I
Piano</p>

17

<p>Your chances are really good. Although your GPA is a little low. Six courses the first semester, that is something.</p>