Is transferring from community college to Harvard possible?
I'm currently in my second semester at a community college and honestly, Harvard has always been my dream school. I didn't apply in high school because my GPA wasn't competitive then, but I've been working super hard since I started college and my grades are a lot better now.
Has anyone actually made the jump from community college to Harvard? If so, what did your application look like? I'm nervous because I feel like my odds are really low, but I want to know if I should even try or focus my transfer energy elsewhere. Any advice would help (stats, extracurriculars, anything)!
Has anyone actually made the jump from community college to Harvard? If so, what did your application look like? I'm nervous because I feel like my odds are really low, but I want to know if I should even try or focus my transfer energy elsewhere. Any advice would help (stats, extracurriculars, anything)!
4 months ago
•
93 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Transferring from a community college to Harvard is rare, but it is definitely possible. Each year, Harvard admits a very small number of transfer students, usually fewer than 20 out of hundreds of applicants. A portion of those sometimes come from community colleges. The process is extremely selective, but your pathway is not closed off just because you started at a community college.
When considering your application, Harvard will evaluate not only your college GPA (which should ideally be near-perfect) but also your high school record, standardized test scores (if submitted), letters of recommendation, essays, extracurricular involvement, and your reasons for transferring. They want to see academic excellence, a clear and compelling reason for the transfer, maturity, and a demonstrated ability to contribute to their campus community in unique ways.
For example, a successful transfer applicant from a community college might have a 3.9+ GPA, leadership roles in campus clubs, meaningful community service, and perhaps even independent academic pursuits or a unique background story. Applications essays should provide compelling, honest explanation for why Harvard’s environment was uniquely suited to fulfill their academic and personal growth goals.
Every year, there are students with unconventional backgrounds who make it. If Harvard is your dream, it’s worth giving it your best shot while also researching and applying to other selective colleges with higher transfer rates. Whether or not you make it, pushing yourself and making the most out of your community college experience will only help you, no matter where you end up transferring.
When considering your application, Harvard will evaluate not only your college GPA (which should ideally be near-perfect) but also your high school record, standardized test scores (if submitted), letters of recommendation, essays, extracurricular involvement, and your reasons for transferring. They want to see academic excellence, a clear and compelling reason for the transfer, maturity, and a demonstrated ability to contribute to their campus community in unique ways.
For example, a successful transfer applicant from a community college might have a 3.9+ GPA, leadership roles in campus clubs, meaningful community service, and perhaps even independent academic pursuits or a unique background story. Applications essays should provide compelling, honest explanation for why Harvard’s environment was uniquely suited to fulfill their academic and personal growth goals.
Every year, there are students with unconventional backgrounds who make it. If Harvard is your dream, it’s worth giving it your best shot while also researching and applying to other selective colleges with higher transfer rates. Whether or not you make it, pushing yourself and making the most out of your community college experience will only help you, no matter where you end up transferring.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years