Transfer-friendly courseloads

<p>How important are the classes you take in applying to transfer to Ivy caliber schools? It seems that some schools, like Cornell, recommend specific courseloads for those majoring in certain subjects (economics, for example). </p>

<p>Others, like Harvard, just have passing mention on their website that "Students preparing to apply as transfer candidates should take challenging liberal arts programs, including mathematics, science, and a foreign language, if they are not already proficient in these areas." Can anyone help me parse what this means? Is it necessary that I take a science course or two (given that I have terrible grades in science in HS)? In short, how important is this statement; are they simply suggestions or does it carry enough weight that I should plan my courseload around it? Any help would be appreciated.</p>