<p>I was just about to say that, mathmom. It’s far too easy to say, “Oh, this just isn’t how we do things. I’m sorry that you got the unjustifiably raw, bitter end of this deal - but you’ll do fine wherever you are! <em>big smile</em>”</p>
<p>Allow me to repeat myself: </p>
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</p>
<p>That’s an important data point to consider.</p>
<p>If they did not accept transfers because they did not feel anyone was qualified in 2003, that is quite different than announcing that they would not even consider anyone.</p>
<p>Think about how you would feel if this was your kid. </p>
<p>My kid (who attends Harvard) spent a lot of time and sweat applying to many schools while in high school. That being said, we knew that chances were slim for her to be admitted to many schools, including Harvard. Despite the fact that she was admitted, there were other fine schools that did not admit her. It was disappointing, but the rules were not changed midstream. At least she knew that other fine applicants were admitted, including several of her friends who she was quite happy for.</p>
<p>Bad move, Harvard. Bad, bad move. Makes the school look both callous and incompetent.</p>
<p>I heard about this over the phone from a friend while I was on my way home from a two-day visit to Harvard. How’s that for perfect timing! I think I was actually taking the tour and attending a group information session at the Admissions Visitor Center the day that email was sent out. I should have mentioned that I was a transfer applicant-- that probably would have made them uncomfortable, lol. Then I would have wondered why the tour guide was given an armed escort. </p>
<p>Seriously, though, shame on Harvard for handling this so poorly. I think it shows that Harvard administrators have no respect for the applicants and think that their institution is above common ethical principles. Also, I do not think that a refund of the fee is sufficient to repay the time and effort that we spent on those applications, only to have them thrown in the trash. I don’t know if shouting at Harvard people would help, but I kind of feel like thanking the transfer admissions offices of the other schools I applied to for not being lame like Harvard.</p>
<p>TokenAdult: </p>
<p>Fast forward: Your talented son applies to Harvard for admission as a freshman. He thinks he is competitive for admission, though he knows that statistically speaking, it is unlikely that he will admitted.</p>
<p>A few weeks before admission results are to be announced, he receives a letter that no one will be considered from your state, or perhaps that they will not be admitting any “math people.” His application fee is refunded.</p>
<p>Interestingly, a few years back, no one was admitted to Harvard from your state and there were no outstanding “math people” admitted. Of course they found this out after admission results were announced. That was fine as schools are entitled to craft a class in the manner in which they best see fit.</p>
<p>Would your son be upset? Would you?</p>
<p>I’m not sure if that’s the reason, Twinmom; can you get a source on that? From reading what little I can find, it actually seems like the 2003 omni-rejection was for the same reasons as this year’s.</p>
<p>That being said, I fail to see what Tokenadult’s repeated post is supposed to mean. It’s okay because it happened before? Transfer applicants shouldn’t feel cheated? They should have expected it? Unfortunately, I just don’t see how repetition ensures innocence. If it does, I’m about to go into the money-laundering “business”: “But I did it a few years ago, officer!”</p>
<p>“And clearly, you’ve crossed that line if it has “completely destroyed [you] emotionally”. Don’t LET HARVARD do that to you. Please.”</p>
<p>Word up, dawg. Completely agree.</p>
<p>No source, ethanrt. Whether it happened before or not, it’s not right. I am just trying to point out that these transfer applicants have a right to be upset at this situation.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, it is important not to be “completely destroyed” by any school in any case. No school is perfect.</p>
<p>If Harvard potentially acted unethically in 2003, that doesn’t absolve them this time. Maybe it means people should have been less trusting in Harvard’s integrity, but the responsibility still falls on the school’s shoulders.</p>
<p>Someone said that accepting non-residential transfers would not be a good option because the Harvard experience is residential. Then why do they push the non-residential Visiting Undergraduates program in the email? The difference is in the degree earned. Seems like Harvard’s trying to protect the value of its degree while implying that residential life is where the valuable education really goes on.</p>
<p>Please those of you at Harvard please somehow do make this a “Hot Topic” on your campus and let everyone know that they rejected all transfers after the deadline and after we had all already applied!!! Thank-you fight for what is right!!!</p>
<p>Somehow relevant here: </p>
<p>[Punishment</a> doesn’t earn rewards — The Harvard University Gazette](<a href=“http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/03.20/03-punishment.html]Punishment”>http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/03.20/03-punishment.html)</p>
<p>“Then why do they push the non-residential Visiting Undergraduates program in the email? The difference is in the degree earned.”</p>
<p>No, the difference is in the point of the program. The VU program is meant to make unique or specialized Harvard courses available to students at other colleges who otherwise could not take advantage of them. The point of the transfer program is to bring a group of individuals with different perspectives and experiences into the college community. Housing is irrelevant to one goal and crucial to the other.</p>
<p>From Harvard info session this afternoon:</p>
<p>Admissions is not happy with the circumstance
(Student rep at info session was a transfer)
But there just isn’t enough room.
Partly because significantly fewer students are studying abroad during the academic year
Timing coincided with announcements of Freshman housing placements.</p>
<p>For all those suggesting that Harvard reduce the number of Freshmen to allow some room for Transfers:
Per info session this afternoon, not only will they not be taking transfers for this year and next, but they will be reducing the number of Freshmen as well.</p>
<p>Also, FWIW decisions for the class of 2012 were finalized yesterday</p>
<p>Tokenadult, I read that brief article and I don’t think it’s relevant here. Maybe you see some way it does that I’m missing, but as you only posted a link and no commentary I have no way of knowing. It seems mostly to deal with a reciprocal situation. </p>
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</p>
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</p>
<p>We’re talking about that type of situation - not one where it’s a “competitive situation,” as the site says, since there’s really noting Harvard could further do to these students to punish them back and it doesn’t seem like the school is going to take further actions to make this right unless lobbied by students.</p>
<p>I’m not saying I think suing is the right solution. I just don’t think your evidence is clear - next time you should perhaps state an argument rather than linking to a website.</p>
<p>
Are you saying the point of the transfer program is to help the College (as a community) out, whereas the point of the VU program is to help students (as individuals) out? You may well be right, but that notion questions the nature of elite college admissions. Just like how interviewers ask, “what will you contribute to the college community?” not “what will you do to take advantage of our resources?”</p>
<p>“Per info session this afternoon, not only will they not be taking transfers for this year and next, but they will be reducing the number of Freshmen as well.”</p>
<p>That is big news and is worthy of a thread of its own especially as students await admission decisions.</p>
<p>"That said, while the timing and breadth of these transfer program decisions
appear to have been been poorly accomplished and excessive, I must agree with
the College of this is decision is based on living space. The houses are
overcrowded because the College has consistently failed to appreciate how it
can house the number of students it accepts for enrollment. We’ve seen this in
house after house after house, that students who already live here are being
crammed into rooms not meant to hold the number they are forced to accommodate.</p>
<p>In my own house, many students were told they were signing up for
quints, with a very distinct room design, but were instead given a quad with a
bed in the common room. The result has been student-built partitions which are
an unnecessary financial burden on these students, is a possible fire hazard,
and risks significant retribution if house administrations find out about them.</p>
<p>While I don’t say that transfer students are not entitled to our sympathy and
consideration, we must remember that our first priority must be to those who
already live here and the quality of their living."</p>
<p>That part of the Crimson article particularly is important. Apparently despite Harvard’s accepting a smaller proportion of its applicant than virtually any other college in the country (Harvard may have been the college accepting the lowest percentage of applicants the last couple of years), apparently its yield still has been higher than expected, resulting in overcrowding.</p>
<p>With the changes in financial aid this year, yield can be expected to be even higher. Yet, how low could Harvard be expected to go in terms of accepting freshmen applicants – 7% of applicants? 6% of the 27,000 ( a record number) applicants?</p>
<p>Given this year’s situation, it doesn’t surprise me that Harvard has decided not to accept transfers. What does surprise me is that Harvard announced its decision now. It could have waited until May or so, acted like it had made at least some efforts to review transfer applications, and then made the announcement. It didn’t also have to plan to refund all transfer applicants’ fees.</p>
<p>So, while I agree with those many people who think that Harvard could have handled the situation better – such as announcing that it didn’t plan to take transfers before the transfer app deadline – I do see some evidence that H is trying to handle a difficult situation with integrity.</p>
<p>As for those who applied to transfer and now feel “destroyed,” I agree with those who say your reaction is overboard. No one ever is guaranteed admission to Harvard. Admission always has been much harder for transfers than freshmen, and everyone knows how hard freshmen admission has been. Going to Harvard doesn’t guarantee success of any kind. If Harvard is so important to you, you still can apply for graduate or professional school there.</p>
<p>The undergraduates and alum aren’t going to rise up to demand that Harvard accepts transfers. Both undergrad (including transfers) and alum know that H’s first responsibility is to the students who already are there, and if overcrowding is a problem, that problem needs to be solved. </p>
<p>I thoroughly agree that H could have handled the transfer situation much better, but I don’t think that writing or calling Harvard or picketing the admissions office or trying to sue Harvard is going to help anyone get transfer consideration. Time to move on to address things that you can influence such making the best of your current college or doing whatever you can to make your transfer application stand out wherever else you have applied.</p>
<p>You guys have a reason to be upset, but…</p>
<p>I think that before you take any action against it, you should make a goal of what you want to get out of it…</p>
<p>What do you expect Harvard to do if you get upset?</p>
<p>Even if they let one person in, then you won’t get your refund for your application, and you’ll still be rejected.</p>
<p>I mean, I would be upset too, but there’s not really much you can do that will benefit you at this point.</p>