<p>I know this post actually belongs to the transfer forum; I will post it there as well. I applied to Harvard early action, got deferred and then rejected. I was wondering whether it would be wise to apply as a transfer. How important are high school grades, especially if your senior record is a bit lower than the preceding three year academic performance in high school. Is your first semester in college worth a lot more?</p>
<p>All experienced members, especially Byerly, please help me. I wanted to go to Harvard since I was seven. Thank you in advance for your help. Greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>A sizable fraction of the transfer admits are people who applied earlier but were rejected. Fitzsimmons like to say that transfer admissions allow Harvard to "make up for its mistakes" --- ie, cases where it misjudged an original applicant's ability to handle the work and to handle it well.</p>
<p>The poster Hanna was a transfer to Havard who, I believe, made it on her third try, having been rejected as an initial applicant and on her first transfer effort from Bryn Mawr. </p>
<p>The best thing you can do is get the best grades possible at your current school to show Harvard that they did, indeed, make a mistake by not admitting you the first time around!</p>
<p>Thank you so much Byerly. I just had one more question. At my current undergrad, we are advised to take 4 courses in our first semester. However, we can take 5 courses with permission. Should I take 4 or 5? Thank you, once again.</p>
<p>hey, brit. i just got into harvard as a transfer applicant. i will be entering my junior year. i had been rejected as an applicant for freshman admissions. my college gpa is not stellar, but i worked very hard and was very much involved at my school. when a person applies as a sophomore transfer, much weight is placed on his/her high school record. when a person applies as a junior, more weight is placed on the applicant's college years. i would recommend you do as well as you can (take five classes if you think you can handle it; i took five every semester). make sure you become involved with activities you care about and become friends with your professors.</p>
<p>also, keep in mind that harvard holds onto your freshman application. so don't reuse old essays.</p>