I’m a high school senior graduating with first honors this coming June and I recently got accepted to community college. Just like many other students, I aspire to attend Harvard College.
During my early high school years, I kept bouncing back and forth from being a B student to an honor student because I didn’t know how to balance my studies with after-school activities. I didn’t apply to Harvard during my senior year, because I knew that my B’s and C’s from previous years would weigh me down against other amazing applicants that applied to the school. Because of this, I’ve been considering to attend community college in order to garner more academic and co-curricular experience.
The program that I’m in allows me to transfer to Hunter College if I maintain a certain GPA after I receive my associates degree, so I thankfully have a fall back for when I possibly face rejection from Harvard.
I am aware that there are lot of amazing applicants that apply to Harvard every year and that the admissions process is very religious. The school maintains an academic standard that must be followed by every student matriculated into the college. I am determined to possibly uphold that standard by accomplishing as much as I can in my years in community college. I was just wondering one thing. How may I be able to exhibit myself as a good applicant to Harvard if I’m applying as a community college student?
Any advice on what programs I can participate in or subjects that I have to take in order to increase my chances of admission to Harvard?
Any advice, comments, or suggestions would be gladly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Although it is possible to transfer to Harvard, I have to tell you it is very unlikely you will get in.
According to Harvard’s Common Data Set, last year 1,432 students applied for transfer admission, and 13 were accepted. Yes, 13. I think you need to have a good alternate plan that you would be happy with.
I am applying to transfer to harvard this year, and the odds of getting in are miniscule - you should have heard my interviewer downplaying my expectations. They weren’t high to start with but I found the discussion downright depressing.
I would say your chances are zero unless you have a very compelling personal story and flawless academics, and near zero if you do. The only reason I put in the considerable effort of filling out the application is that I’ve done an enormous amount of independent study. I’m ready for certain graduate level courses in my discipline by now and have recommendations to this effect. You should look into alternatives anyway, but if you don’t feel you have the ability or tenacity to leap ahead in that way it is not going to happen.
It’s been quite a while since I followed this feed, but I truly appreciate your insights on the topic. I currently am on the community college track, and I’ve been doing quite well in school. I’ve been a consistent honor student, and my GPA has been really great these past semesters. As much as I want to attend Harvard, I have decided to apply to less competitive schools. These schools, nonetheless, are excellent colleges. I decided to maintain my grades, engage in more extracurricular activities, and possibly apply to Harvard for graduate school. Again, thank you for your inputs! Truly appreciate it!