so I posted a while back about transfer chances into Columbia(while i was still a senior in hs) but I was thinking if I am going to apply to Columbia I might as well apply to Harvard(even tho acceptance is really low) I will be applying to NYU also as a transfer and Cornell. I am now a freshman in college(a cuny school specifically city). Not really enjoying my time at this college and I really want to transfer still. My classes to me are kinda easy so my GPA as of now is a 3.9. I have 1490 sat, member of engineers without borders chapter(international team) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(part of the propulsion team). for hs my GPA was a 3.8 or 3.9(i forgot tbh) I was president of stem, nhs member, co-captain of math league, and was a robotics member. I don’t know if I would include my high school ecs as part of my common app transfer application(if someone could clarify that plz do!) my academic need to transfer is I really would like to study with these specific professors at these schools cause I really admire their research(not going to name names). also, I don’t find myself as a fit at my school rn these students don’t have the same drive and passion that I have and that you would find at an ivy league or elite institution. so do I have a chance at Columbia, Harvard, nyu, or Cornell? input is appreciated!
Yale’s website very clearly spells out what’s needed for transfer applicants, and it’s my guess the same would apply to Harvard, Columbia, Cornell or NYU: https://admissions.yale.edu/transfer-details
So, with that in mind . . . what educational opportunity would Harvard provide you with that could NOT be experienced anywhere else, including your CUNY school? That’s the question you need to answer for yourself as you seek to apply as a transfer applicant to ultra selective colleges.
well my reason would be to study under those lead research professors and studying at those schools would give me an opportunity to meet other students with the same drive and motivation that I have. my cuny school is great and i have nothing bad to say about it academics wise but the school was not the right fit for me as a student.
Harvard has a 1% transfer acceptance rate and my guess is that most applicants say . . .
. . . however, to stand out from the crowd of about 1600 transfer applicants to be one of a dozen students admitted, you have to have a more compelling reason. For example: (1) Your school doesn’t provide the major you are interested in, (2) You’ve maxed out the courses in your field at your current school, (3) Your school doesn’t allow you to double major or have a major and and a minor or a second concentration, (4) Your school doesn’t offer small individualized instruction, but only large lecture courses, (5) Your school doesn’t provide support for your extra curricular activity, (6) Your school’s pre-professional program doesn’t allow you time to pursue the extra curricular activity you have a passion for, etc.
Here’s a good article to read about some recent students admitted as transfer applicants: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/2/4/transfer-students/
Full Disclosure: My daughter, who graduated from Harvard with a degree in Film Studies, created her own post-baccalaureate pre-medical studies program at CCNY, then applied to medical school after taking all of her pre-med courses at a CUNY school. She is now a second year med student at WashU in St, Louis. So, I understand the CUNY system and understand why it might not be the right fit for you.
Or (6) You are an outstanding athlete and Harvard really wants you on its team.
One hopes that a transfer applicant does not write that in an application to Harvard, since Harvard does not have double majors either. Although Harvard is known for having its own language, a joint concentration is not the same as a double major.
the ecs at my school are horrible, I showed up for a few of the “first meetings” and I was literally the only one who showed up. so that’s why I only am involved in 2 rn. My reason for transfer would be a combination of learning from those professors, meeting more dedicated students, and taking full advantage of what Harvard or any other institution will offer me(including going to their clubs as I try to get involved with school events and activities) I tried doing that at ccny but unfortunately, there was not a real connection with the college and I felt as if I have wasted my time here.