<p>Harvard to cut transfers by half...(via the Crimson)
<a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=517797%5B/url%5D">http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=517797</a></p>
<p>As a transfer student this pass year, I am of course disappointed. I liked our transfer class size. I'm guessing they're hovering around 35 to 40 this year, so spring transfers can probably expect less of a community.</p>
<p>I think that the transfer drop is a direct result of Harvard's wicked high yield, and the number of students that deferred a year or accepted Harvard's offer of deferred admission. It seems like there are a ton of people taking a gap year right now before entering next year. If there aren't as many of these next year, the transfer numbers will return to their current levels without a doubt.</p>
<p>As a former transfer student to Harvard, I think this is a <em>bummer</em>.</p>
<p>It was already twice as hard (i.e., statistically unlikely) to get in as a transfer as it was to get in as a freshman. Now it will be nearly impossible to transfer in. I agree with WindCLoudUltra that the old transfer class sizes were optimal, and most people I knew felt like the transfers added a little bit of diversity--there was a woman from West Point in my transfer class and at least two students from Deep Springs, plus a student from a community college, all of whom were products of a very different college culture than Harvard's. It was great to have them around. </p>
<p><em>Sigh.</em></p>
<p><em>Sigh?</em></p>
<p>No.</p>
<p><em>Grrrrr!!!</em></p>
<p>Harvard has really cut down on "path into Harvard" diversity and "path through Harvard" diversity of its student body over the years. I hope this is just a one-year blip.</p>