<p>I’m not sure whether the problem was the degree or not. When I inquired from Harvard about its policy regarding college courses, I was told that as long as a student was not registered full-time in a college, that would be okay. I expect that some high schoolers may take college courses above and beyond the numbers required for graduation (e.g a fourth year of a language when the school requires only 3) but as long as they are not registered full-time in the college, it is still okay. The person who answered me actually used the phrase “four courses” which is the standard load at Harvard. I suppose this person assumed that anyone taking four college courses would be a full-time college student, aiming for a degree.</p>
<p>S had 9 college courses, enough for a full year of college, but they were strung over three years, so it was okay. It would not have been if he’d taken 8 in a single year.</p>
<p>Someone who got an associate’s degree would definitely be expected to apply as a transfer student.</p>