<p>1) The argument that Harvard only looks at 3.9 GPAs has been clearly refuted by last year’s acceptances: one student was admitted from Tufts with less tha a 3.7, and another from UVM, also with less than a 3.7. Transferring into Harvard with a 3.6x, especially from a school like Amherst (I will discuss this aspect next), is definitely a possibility. You would be a fool if you did not try, just as I did not last year. Do not put yourself in a position where will be asking yourself “what if?” for the rest of your life, like I did.</p>
<p>2) That you are coming from Amherst is an enormous factor in your favor. I once read a list of schools that are top feeders into Harvard; among them were, I believe, UPenn, Georgetown, Swat, Deep Springs, and, you better believe it, Amherst. That these schools consistently send significantly more students to Harvard than your unranked school, 4th tier school, and community colleges, demonstrates that a significant advantage is given to applicants from them.</p>
<p>Keep working hard! Try to raise your GPA, but do not sweat the 3.65! Also, try to engage in activities that exemplify the passion you have for something. Most importantly, do not let imbeciles on this forum hinder you with speculation. My counselor calls this place the “crack-boards,” and I tend to agree with her.:)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Edit: Also, advantage is given to students from top colleges for a reason: believe it or not, these schools are actually much more difficult than CCs and your typical second tier (and even first tier schools). I have met many transfers from GWU, and they all bemoan the sudden increase in workload, both in terms of quality and quantity.</p>