International student, help!!

<p>Hey, I plan on Applying to Harvard for the Fall 2013 Semester. The problem is first of all I am a transfer student I am currently attending a local CC. On top of that, I am also an international student ( from Africa). I know my chances are really really thin (had I known that applying as a transfer student would have narrowed my chances, I would have applied since I finished high school, the people around me, made me believe that you had to go to a cc before transferring to a four year university) . but I believe it won't hurt if i try. So basically I wanted some advice from y'all on what steps I need to follow throughout my application process. Also do you know if transfer students are required to write essays about themselves as well?
Thx!</p>