<p>Initially the plan was 2 years. Now the website says "indefinitely".</p>
<p>Any know more?</p>
<p>I noticed that on the website as well. When they first put out the statement a couple weeks before transfers were to get their decisions they said for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Now it does say indefinately. </p>
<p>Is there a chance they will just scrap it completely like Princeton?</p>
<p>Well when I saw that it had become indefinite I did become suspicious that they're going to scrap their transfer programme. Oh well, let's hope for the best.</p>
<p>Anyway if I am lucky enough get offered transfer to both Harvard and Wharton, that would give me a serious dilemma. At least now I'lld never have to make that decision, although it's probably quite a fun problem to have!</p>
<p>Are you hoping to transfer as well?</p>
<p>Given the paucity of undergraduate housing, I don't think that Harvard will renew its transfer program for a while. </p>
<p>Also, the fact that so many people apply as freshman kinda decreases Harvard's likelihood of reinstating the policy.</p>
<p>yeah, it seems as though they will scrap it, especially with undergraduate applicants skyrocketing. I suspect those applying for a position in the class of 2013 will be more than 2012.</p>
<p>Another trend I see happening this year is transfer numbers going up for other ivies. Lets see what happens.</p>
<p>One thing I don't understand though is that why can't Harvard admit transfers with the stipulation that housing will not be provided? That way, they can keep their long policy of taking in transfers while not overpopulating their limited residences.</p>
<p>Harvard says in its literature that the undergraduate House experience is a very important dimension of college life, that is why they discourage off-campus residences.</p>
<p>Or, in the alternative, Harvard could simply admit somewhat fewer freshmen. But of course that would just make the freshman admission rate even more astoundingly low. </p>
<p>I think Harvard's doing the best it can in dealing with overwhelming demand for participating in the full, on-campus Harvard undergraduate experience, and that no one should plan on starting somewhere else and then graduating as a Harvard undergraduate. Jay Mathews did it, </p>
<p>but his book doesn't seem to discourage people from applying to Harvard as freshman applicants. And hardly anything seems to discourage people from staying at Harvard once they are admitted.</p>