Harvard

<p>I'm a 19 year old homeschooled student. I graduated at 17. I've taken a great number of classes. I want to become a bioengineer. </p>

<p>Someone gave me the idea of going to CC for 2 years, then transferring to an Ivy League school. They said this would become my proof of my knowledge. Yesterday, I was stopped by an advisor at that CC, saying it would be a mistake; if I took any classes at a CC, I would become a transfer student, and would ruin my chances of getting into an Ivy. </p>

<p>I did not take the SAT, I only have a few SAT IIs, and I never played a sport. My parents are foreigners, so they did not know the education program here in the US. My mother is a professor in literature and history, while my dad is a classical musician with a PhD in teaching. In the meantime, I am no one. My mother, since as early as I can remember has been telling me I'd be in Harvard one day. Naturally, I have more knowledge than high school students. I just don't have any proof of it yet, and I have not been in any clubs, sports, stuff like that. </p>

<p>What do you suggest I do right now? I need a path which I just can't find. I need direction. Thanks everyone</p>

<p>“Someone” did not give you the best advice. But what’s done is done. There are many ways to demonstrate mastery, cc credits are but one way.</p>

<p>I have heard of cc students transferring to Cornell, but Harvard is a different beast. Moreover, Harvard is not the first school that comes to mind when I think of bioengineering.</p>

<p>My advice:</p>

<p>1) Don’t get hung up on Harvard. You have done your own thing all along, focus on finding the best fit for you.</p>

<p>2) Tell Mom and Dad that what matters is where you get your PhD.</p>

<p>3) Do some research; find the schools that have strong bioE programs. There are more than you might think, and they are not all “big name” schools. Look at UCSD; look at UWashington; look at SIU. “Big name” schools to consider include MIT, Duke, Johns Hopkins, but your odds of being accepted there are slim, as they are for anyone.</p>

<p>3a) While you are looking, check out the schools’ transfer policies.</p>

<p>3b) BioE is a broad field, different schools have different focuses. Find the ones that best fit your interests. I suspect that the more you can demonstrate that a certain school is a match for your interests, the better your odds.</p>

<p>4) Ask Mom and Dad to help you out by finding a top-notch college counselor for you. You make it sound as if you have had no guidance along the way, and if that’s the case I think it is time for some outside intervention to help you get where you want to be.</p>

<p>everything ridethewave said is perfect.</p>

<p>Harvard is great if you get it, but no more necessary to a successful life than being a star football player.</p>

<p>^Da truth</p>

<p>.</p>