I was considering transferring from my small state school with a tiny program into a university ripe with research opportunities (physics major). I read from all the transfer threads that applicants don’t have a chance unless they are from another top institution. Is this true? Even if I don’t get into Harvard (probably won’t) will I have a chance at any competitive school? Do I even have a chance if I’m applying to transfer from a small school with a tiny program even if I exhaust all opportunities at my school with a 4.0 GPA?
They only take around 12 a year, does that really makes any sense to target? Why Harvard? Certainly there are other excellent uni’s that have better physics programs that you have now that take more transfers. Sure if your letters of recommendation reveal you to be a physics genius you can probably come from anywhere. Itis not necessary to come from other top schools, but it likely helps in the sense that you had good preparation for college and your program is strong to prepare you for the major. But if you are a truly exceptional student and have impressive accomplishments and letters, it is possible but long odds.
Harvard’s transfer acceptance rate is about 1% – and I’m guessing that about half their accepted transfers are recruited athletes. So, even if you’re an exceptional academic student, the odds are stacked against you at Harvard. By all means apply, but your odds are significantly better at other colleges like Cornell, Notre Dame, UVA, UNC Chapel Hill which have 20% to 42% transfer acceptance rates: http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/stats/transfer-acceptance-rates.
^^ Sorry, but I guess College Confidential won’t let me link to that site. Google “transfer acceptance rates US News Top 50” and it should be the first link.
While you’re considering transferring into Harvard, I’d suspect you may be overly emphasizing its name (despite the 1% accept rate). There are lots of great schools to get a bachelors in Physics that don’t reside in Cambridge, MA. You’d be best served researching them. I think there’s plenty who would value your app. Also look at the Transfer Students’ forum too. Good luck.
^^yes, many colleges you can look at. I would post in the College Search & Selection forum for help with target uni transfer suggestions, since this is just the forum for Harvard.