<p>I was accepted to Columbia University through the binding ED program, but I've since realized that Harvard would appear a much better match for me in many ways. Of course this is a stupid question because I've made a fool of myself, but I try to look on the bright side and be grateful because Columbia is an excellent school itself. However, I'm left wondering whether it would be possible to transfer to Harvard beginning sophomore year. I've read that it's virtually impossible to transfer in, but actual statistics are hard to come by. Keeping in mind that I'll be trying to transfer from Columbia, will this give me a boost due to Columbia's own prestige? How difficult would it be to transfer in, and what reason would be necessary to give me a chance at acceptance? Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>1) I am applying to Harvard from Columbia. Take my advice, of course, with a grain of sand.
2) I don’t know how much Columbia’s reputation helps. Whatever the case, expect the transfer to be difficult.
3) I would not advise you to fabricate reasons for transferring, but finding academic differences between Columbia and Harvard (or between Yale and Harvard) is easier than you might think, even for majors like English and History. They have different courses, professors with different interests, different library resources, etc. Specificity is crucial.</p>
<p>Why don’t you give Columbia a chance before you throw this great opportunity out the window? You have no idea if Harvard will be a better fit because you have not matriculated at either school as of yet. And if you go to Columbia with the intention of plotting your escape, your experience most likely will not be a very successful or happy one, and without real academic success, your chances of transferring are nil. Sounds like a recipe for self-sabotage. Go to Columbia. Give it a chance. If it is actually – not theoretically, but actually – a poor fit, then work on a transfer. (And yes, applying ED without fully investigating was foolish). But matriculating with an intent to transfer, without even giving the school a chance is also foolish. You should be grateful for your admission as Columbia is a fantastic school. What you really DO NOT know as yet, is if it indeed IS the wrong school. Only time will tell. </p>
<p>And truly, you look extremely shallow since you have not come up with ONE reason WHY Harvard is a better fit and you cannot because you have never even been to Columbia!. It would seem that you simply regret that you did not apply to Harvard. NOT a compelling reason!</p>
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Yes, it’s possible, but as a transfer applicant, the Common App asks you to write an essay about what Harvard will offer you that your current school cannot – and “prestige” will not be looked up favorably by Harvard’s Admissions Committee.</p>
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Actual Statistics are pretty easy to come by. I guess you not very good at “googling”: <a href=“The Real 1%: Harvard Admits 15 Transfer Students | News | The Harvard Crimson”>http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/6/21/transfer-admissions-one-percent</a></p>
<p>“From a pool of 1,448 applicants, 15 students were admitted to Harvard College in the 2012 transfer admissions cycle, putting the acceptance rate for students who start their time at Harvard as sophomores or juniors at approximately 1 percent.”</p>
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Absolutely not; Harvard admits students not schools. And they don’t give a damn about prestige.</p>
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As noted above, Harvard accepted 15 transfer applicants from a pool of about 1500 applicants. It’s very difficult. You would need a 3.8+ GPA from Columbia plus a really good academic reason that would make Harvard a better option for your field of study than Columbia. And, If all you can come up with is to post a thread on CC and ask for suggestions, it ain’t going to happen. Ever.</p>
<p>OP. I would give serious consideration to both swingtime and gibby’s advice.</p>