<p>Hey, I would like to have some sincere advice about my hopes of transferring into Harvard. Currently, I am planning on attending Emory in the fall. I had a 3.75 in high school (unweighted).</p>
<p>I was:
varsity tennis cocaptain
Student government Treasurer and secretary
Habitat for Humanity President
Amnesty International treasurer
French Club Treasurer
Science Quiz Bowl Team A
Vice President of Chinese Club
National Honor Society usher
Student Ambassador
and was invited to compete for the school in everything from physics bowl to aime to state rally when my school participated in it.
Sat 2090: 760 math, 670 writing, 660 english
Act:33</p>
<p>1 AP test: 3 in biology (should have made a 5, but i literally slept through 3/4ths of the test)</p>
<p>I plan on competing either on a club team or to at least try out for Emory's tennis team as a walk on member. I dunno how well i'm going to do, but i want to also do some research while at emory as well. </p>
<p>If i do well this year at emory and manage to impress my teachers, what is my likelihood of getting accepted? I'm a fairly competent essay writer, so at least it should be strong. I've never applied to Harvard before, and I'm also asian. Any advice?</p>
<p>For your info, Harvard has about a 9% transfer rate, so it's not the worst around, but it is very difficult. There were several ppl on CC that did it this past year...you should search the past threads for Harvard transfers to get an idea. Your current school and stats will be very helpful and will certainly not hinder you from getting into Harvard. In fact, I think many of the accepted applicants are from top 20 schools. However, Harvard focuses primarily on the essay which conveys the reasons you must leave your current instituiton and the reasons that Harvard is the best fit for you. You will probably find that the essay will be the hardest part and will put you in the admit or reject pile. </p>
<p>That said, you've got a great chance. Do well at Emory and while you are there think a/b what Harvard can offer that Emory cannot. If you don't have strong reasons, chances are they'll see no reason that Emory cannot offer you what you are looking for and will reject you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Actually, if you look at past years, the transfer acceptance rate really varies 5-7% I would say. Also, it has been less and it has been more. Transfer rates generally vary annually, since schools have different needs each year.</p>
<p>I would say that beyond demonstrating academic strength, schools want to see passion. They want to see that you take initiative. They want to see growth. It is important to have your personality shine through in your application. Also, coming from a great school such as Emery does seem to help.</p>
<p>i second what confetti tea said about passion. as long as you have decent numbers (harvard decent numbers) i swear that's what will get you in. show them that you've been living an engaged and passionate life not just for the sake of getting into harvard, write an essay that will make them unable to see you anywhere but harvard. and confetti tea, you start soon, don't you? how exciting! have fun and report back on all of the transfer orientation stuff for those of us starting in the spring!</p>
<p>Harvard accepts about 75 students every year for transfers. There are over 1,000 applications (give or take a few) a year. It is definitely harder than freshman admissions, since freshman admissions acceptance rate is an overall 9 to 10 percent whereas transfer is about 5 to 7 percent.</p>
<p>Harvard took 70 per year out of 1200 applicants from 1997-1999, it then dipped as low as 35 one year in the early 2000's, and has since crept back up. The admit rate has been well under 5% some years. I expect that the numbers will not decrease again because study abroad is catching on, but you cannot count on this.</p>
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<p>However, Harvard focuses primarily on the essay</p>
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<p>Untrue. Far and away the most important thing is your record at your first school -- how challenging it was, and how close to perfect your grades were. No one has a "great chance" before they have a college GPA. You don't have any kind of prayer without great grades, no matter what you say in your essay. Do not even think about transferring the first semester -- you should be focused on making a good life for yourself at Emory, because you may be staying there. If you are still unhappy in January, that's the time to begin thinking about transferring -- and if you have a 3.7 or above, the time to consider Harvard as an option.</p>
<p>Harvard 05 has a valid point. Instead of Harvard College, which is nearly impossible to get into as either a freshman or a transfer student, the Harvard Extension School is actually a credible, viable option many students don't seem to know about. It's open admissions, so you are guaranteed acceptance. You get a bachelor's degree from Harvard. Granted, as the article mentions, you won't have a thriving social life, but if going to Harvard means more to you, then you should consider it.</p>