<p>So, lets say I want to transfer to Harvard. </p>
<p>My professor just graduated from there, 31 years old phd., "top of class"</p>
<p>And basically, I have developed a vERY close relationship with her
she thinks i'm very interested in learning and everything, u know...</p>
<p>so</p>
<p>I know it will depend on other things. But lets say a perfect 4.0.</p>
<p>how much would THIS professor help ME transfer into HARVARD?</p>
<p>Just because someone graduated from a certain school does not mean that they can get you in. Most major schools have professors that came from Harvard (or Yale or Stanford or whatever) but that means little to adcoms. I think it's up to you to find a way in.</p>
<p>not very much, since they take into consideration everything as a whole.</p>
<p>Maybe if you sleep with her, it might increase your chances.</p>
<p>chanman, if things were so simple, don't you think that thousands of students who have some sort of a relationship with a harvard graduate (be it phd or whatever) would be getting hooked up left and right? it doesn't work that way though</p>
<p>I personally think it'd give you an edge over other student's rec's. Along with a 4.0, you're going to need the usual for a transfer to Harvard...stellar SAT's...stellar EC's....stellar essay. </p>
<p>By all means, shoot for the stars.</p>
<p>I'm not going to say that it's not a factor at all that your professor went to harvard...but don't expect it to be. The only thing you should consider is whether this professor can help your application as a recommender. How well does this professor know you? What can she say about your character to the adcoms to your benefit? I would advise you to consider the recommendation purely in that aspect.</p>
<p>I certainly would see a boost as far as recommendation. Many of the Ivies do require recommendation letters. And if a former student is writing the letter, I would see that as a boost.</p>
<p>boost sure but dont depend on that too much..its not as special as you may think it is = ( good luck though</p>
<p>I don't think it matters. Every large university has several professors from top universities. (I 'm at a school ranked 54th on US News and just this semester I have a History professor from University of Pennsylvania, an Economics professor from Berkley, and next semester my econ class is taught by someone from Chicago) That said, are you going to ask him to identify himself as a Harvard alumunus- he might not think its notable to mention otherwise.</p>
<p>The professor will definitely note it in the Harvard Rec., but I can't imagine it will help that much. If you're competitive for admission to the College, it is certainly a plus, but if you're a marginal candidate it not going to tip the scales. You have to remember that the admission rate is approximately 5% most years, and there are very few slouches that think they are going to transfer into Harvard. Again, if you have the numbers, having that extra edge can make your application more salient, and thus prominent in the eyes of the AdCom, supposing of course that the recommendation is as glowing as you anticipate. However, if you don't have the scores/grades, the recommendation is not going to gain you admission, by any stretch.</p>