<p>I am going to be a sophomore at Vanderbilt this coming year. I'm not in love with the school and have decided to attempt to transfer to Harvard. I have a 3.96 GPA so far at Vanderbilt and have been quite active (intramurals, newspaper reporter and columnist, community service). I was accepted to Harvard out of high school, but turned it down because of financial reasons. Vanderbilt offered me a full-tuition scholarship and my parents made me give the school a try. I was also accepted to Stanford, Yale, Dartmouth, UVA, and Duke coming out of high school. My SAT composite is 1560 and I scored 800s on the SAT II Writing, Math IIC, American History, and World History tests. What are my chances of being accepted to Harvard? It is the school I have always wanted to attend. It just took me two years to convince my parents to allow me to do so. Thanks for your comments.</p>
<p>A previous acceptance, a 3.96 gpa, and loads of ECs? Wow! Although the acceptance rate is about 7%, I'd say you have a great chance of being accepted. I didn't have anything close to that. Good luck ;).</p>
<p>Thanks. That's a tad reassuring (if that is possible when it comes to college admissions). By your location, I assume you are a Harvard student. I'm jealous--just love your school and the town of Cambridge. I am hoping that my previous acceptance will be an advantage, not a hinderance. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I think your high gpa, high test scores, and your previous acceptance really set you apart from the other applicants. There were quite a number of us cc'ers who applied to transfer to Harvard this past February. From what I've seen (well, since I'm not an adcom, there's no way I can guarantee anything), these factors alone should get you an interview. This may sound like empty advice, but make sure your essays thoroughly justify your reason to transfer and obtain recommendations from professors who know you well.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. I will make sure to include those two things in my essays. </p>
<p>My reasons for transfer are two-fold. One, I always wanted to go to Harvard--from the get-go. I absolutely love the school. Unfortunately, my parents made me take the scholarship from Vanderbilt. Only after a year and a half, have I been able to convince them to allow me to transfer (I am going to take out loans). This will be explained first in my essay. </p>
<p>I will then explain briefly why I am not wild about Vanderbilt--the professors are great, but the social scene just doesn't fit me. The school is dominated by its frats and sororities. Also, many of the students seem to be interested in their grades only--not doing anything outside of the classroom. Our Sierra Club Group had a lousy six members at its first meeting (out of a student body of 6000+). I believe Harvard will fit with my personality much better. It will challenge me far more both inside and outside of the classroom. </p>
<p>Next, I will detail how Harvard fits well with what I want to do. I want to do a joint concentration in history and economics. I am obsessed with the environment--trees in particular--and Harvard offers economics courses concerning governmental and enviornmental policy that Vanderbilt does not have. Let me know what you think of my reasons. Do you think they are good enough to justify my transfer. Thanks so much. You are fantastic.</p>
<p>I think your reasons for transferring are great. I think the emphasis on your extracurricular needs are particularly important. In fact, your reasons are very similar to mine. I was frustrated by the lack of an extensive LGBT community and a stagnation within the LGBT activism on campus. I focused my essay on the resources that my previous institution lacked and discussed how I planned to spend my time at Harvard. It's important for Harvard to know not only what they can do for you, but what YOU will contribute to the Harvard community as well. You're definitely on the right track.</p>
<p>I would be extremely surprised if you weren't accepted. Good luck if and when you attend Harvard!</p>