Harvard Halts Transfers for Two Years

Harvard decided not to accept a single one of the 1308 transfer applicants this year. The deadline for transfer applications was February 15th, and their decision was notified more than a month and a half after the deadline (during the first week of April). This means that more than a thousand students and their families have waited in vain. They also announced that they would not accept any transfer applicants next year either. This is completely unfair and unjustified discrimination against students based on their graduation year. Why should students transferring this year or next year be denied the opportunity which was given to students in the past?

Despite Harvard’s claim that insufficient residential housing is the reason for denying transfer admission, Harvard’s very unprofessional and extremely late decision is absolutely unacceptable. Statistically, I recall that Harvard has accepted less than one or two percent of its transfer applicants in the past couple of years. If we assume they would have accepted 1% of the transfer applicants this year, then that would only be 13 students. Would a mere 13 students really have a significant impact on their housing situation? Couldn’t they have selected 13 less from the freshman applicant pool? And if they had anticipated such a shortage, shouldn’t they have known before February 15th at the latest?

It appears that Harvard does not value the time and effort of the countless excellent students who applied for transfer this year. Although they offer to return the application fee, they completely disregard the time and labor that these diligent students put into their applications. Not only that, but they also do not compensate the students and their families for the financial costs to send school transcripts, SAT/ACT test scores, and mailing fees.

Although I cannot judge with certainty, it seems that Harvard’s lack of genuine interest in the advancement of higher education is beginning to show. Harvard's admissions committee completely neglects the combined efforts of 1308 students. It makes us wonder if they even reviewed the applications. What has happened to this once prestigious school?

Jennifer of NJ 7:47PM April 04, 2008

I find it incredible that Harvard did not inform the academic community IN THE FALL that they were not taking any transfer students this year. It shows both poor planning and lack of organization, qualities Harvard expects in the students it accepts. Also, I do not know if they thought of this, but the decision to not take transfer students for TWO years potentially affects the same pool of students for the two years, if they applied as sophomore transfers. It's like double jeopardy. In addition, I feel that they should have gone through the transfer applications and offered at least SOME qualified students admissions WITHOUT housing. This would have been the optimal solution. I also think, at the bare miminum, that Harvard should reimburse the students not only the application fees, but also the fees for SAT and ACT reporting and the postage that students had to pay.

e.burns of MA 9:54AM March 24, 2008

Today Harvard's Committee on Transfer Admissions announced:

"Harvard College will be unable to enroll any transfer students for the next two academic years, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Following the most thorough examination of its residential housing in Harvard's history, the Dean of Harvard College, Professor David Pilbeam, has concluded that the Harvard Houses cannot successfully accommodate any new transfer students. Instead, the College has embarked on a planning process for substantial capital investment to renovate and revitalize its residential spaces."

Sure this would have been OK were it to begin next semester, but its not. This means that the students hard work and long hours spent on their applications, essays, grades (which was due February 15, 2008) are all in vain. Why not offer off campus housing? This is Horrible. This is NOT RIGHT. Let these students applications be considered for admission. Harvard, a school with such a grand reputation should know that what they are doing is wrong beyond words.

For all those transfer students who have applied I truly feel for you. Do not sit back, Take action, contact Harvard voice your opinion!!!!! Let's reverse this unjust decision.

HARVARD COLLEGE (Transfer Admissions) Contact Details:

Phone: 617-495-1551

Dean of Harvard College: Dean David Pilbeam, 617-495-1560; pilbeam@fas.harvard.edu

Associate Dean of Harvard College: Bob Doyle, 617-384-5980; rdoyle@fas.harvard.edu

Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid: William R. Fitzsimmons, 617 495-1557

Dean of Admissions for Harvard College: Marlyn McGrath Lewis, (617) 495-1551

contact.hollygolightly@gmail.com of NY 8:39PM March 22, 2008