<p>How long should a transfer essay be, if not indicated on the application form? Harvard and Yale do not seem to have a limit.</p>
<p>Also is the proposed major in any way binding, if one is accepted? </p>
<p>Would it make sense to put down on your application a less favourite major (e.g. Classics, Russian Studies etc.) to get in? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Would it make sense to put down on your application a less favourite major (e.g. Classics, Russian Studies etc.) to get in? </p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>Why? If you proof them that you're a genius in Latin and Ancient Greek - some Europeans, having studied them for 8 years at school, tend to be very fluent in the classical languages - wouldn't admissions staff be more willing to consider you?
There are so many well-qualified applicants that want to do Political Science, Economics and the lot... while only few who are really good in sth like: Social Anthropology, Old Slavonic, East European languages etc.
I mean don't they try to promote diversity, when admitting transfer students?</p>
<p>You should apply to the major you want. </p>
<p>.</p>
<p>If you are planning to be accepted to a less favorable major and once you are in change your major, you can forget about it. It's a known trick and they simply wouldn't allow it. Universities such as Harvard are not managed by morons you know.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you are planning to be accepted to a less favorable major and once you are in change your major, you can forget about it. It's a known trick and they simply wouldn't allow it. Universities such as Harvard are not managed by morons you know.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In addition, since Harvard accepts so few, I do not think they prioritize any majors, though I could be incorrect.</p>
<p>nspeds is right.
You have to be freakin amazing to transfer to any major in Harvard.
I wouldn't even waste my time on writing those essays if I were you.
But hey, shoot for the stars.
Regarding to the essays, I think 500 words is pretty much a standard for these kind of essays.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't even waste my time on writing those essays if I were you.
But hey, shoot for the stars."</p>
<p>How do you know that I'm not "freakin amazing" to get in Harvard? Do you know my high school and uni grades? The competitive admissions requirements for my current degree and my results in my 1st year exams? Or do you have any idea of which academics will send their recommendation letters for me (and what are their connections with Harvard faculty?)</p>
<p>So, why I bothered to post this thread, well... to see reactions and how other transfer students think about this issue. As simple as that (and by the way...I'm applying for a Government major).</p>
<p>
[quote]
How do you know that I'm not "freakin amazing" to get in Harvard? Do you know my high school and uni grades? The competitive admissions requirements for my current degree and my results in my 1st year exams? Or do you have any idea of which academics will send their recommendation letters for me (and what are their connections with Harvard faculty?)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Taken from the Harvard website:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Harvard College has very few places available for sophomore and junior transfers; the number of well-qualified candidates far exceeds the number of students admitted. It is therefore recommended that students who wish to transfer from their current colleges explore a variety of options.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>How do you know that I'm not "freakin amazing" to get in Harvard? Do you know my high school and uni grades? The competitive admissions requirements for my current degree and my results in my 1st year exams? Or do you have any idea ...</p>
<p>Hahahahhahahahhahahahahaha.</p>
<p>Sorry. How the goodwill towards mankind of today's youth regals my humorous side. God bless this board.</p>
<p>By the way -- I don't believe that first sentence makes a terrible amount of, well, sense.</p>
<p>Listen to nspeds, stamatis. You owe him a great deal for his insight; you should even bake him a cake. He loves cake. And it's his birthday Saturday.</p>
<p>Stats from collegeboard.com:
Transfer Students
Total number of transfer students who applied: 955
Total number of transfer students who were admitted: 55
Now stamatis...are you that good?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Total number of transfer students who applied: 955
Total number of transfer students who were admitted: 55
Now stamatis...are you that good?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As per a telephone conversation, 79 were admitted out of approximately one thousand. Byerly posted a more precise number in the Harvard forum.</p>
<p>Pretty good ratio, stamatis should make Harvard a safety :)</p>
<p>I would shoot for Oxford or the Sorbonne.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I would shoot for Oxford or the Sorbonne.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Oxford does not admit transfers.</p>
<p>So... Basically I am not arrongant to declare: "Harvard is a safety for me!", but on the other hand I can't understand why people who are completely ignorant with what I have done academically or extra-curricularly disregard my chances for getting in?!
I am not trying to pursuade people who visit CC that I am able to transfer to Harvard, but the Admissions Team in Cambridge.</p>
<p>As for the other alternatives,
I do not speak any French. I was admitted for undergrad initially by Karls Ruprecht University of Munich, Freie U Berlin and Heidelberg but there's no reason to going to Germany really...
My year abroad next year is at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), directly affiliated to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I applied for SPS at Cambridge, but I was unlucky enough to be picked up by a college (in the intercollegiate pool) which did not accept the Greek qualifications (note: only 2 out of the 29 don't accept it: Churchill and Fitzwilliam! - Damn Fitz!)</p>
<p>I do not think he was disparaging you because of your stats, but rather because of your intention to declare a less popular major in order to increase your chances.</p>