I'm currently a sophomore at Harvard, and ever since completing my first semester and having the buzz of Harvard wear off, I haven't been able to get the thought of a potential transfer out of my head. Don't get me wrong, I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been able to study here for the past year and a half. None the less, as time has gone on, it's become more clear to me that Harvard is a community with a lot of issues, and not one I feel especially at home at. Even though I have made some great friends here, I've never felt a huge amount of ownership and pride in the community, and I'm beginning to think maybe that could be different if I attended school elsewhere. What I know might make my case to transfer somewhat less compelling is that in terms of academic field, Harvard actually is a good fit for me; in other words, I wouldn't fit into the category of students who need to transfer due to a lack opportunities at their school. What really frustrates me about the school is the general culture and vibe. Exclusivity and who-do-you-know sentiments are overwhelming, even day to day. I find this to be true not only between students, but from the administration and faculty as well. I have found the general sentiment of the school to pass along the message to students that qualify of life is irrelevant to them; they are doing enough merely by letting us grace the campus with our presence, and we should expect nothing else. Although I haven't done much research, I get the sense many of Harvard's peer institutions have dealt with this issue far more successfully. While I will be the first to admit that on paper Yale and Harvard seem almost one in the same, I really get the sense students are happier there and could potentially be a community I would feel more at home at. I haven't been to find much information about transferring out of Harvard/between elite institutions, so I guess my question is this: do you think I have/can create a compelling reason to transfer, and if so, do you think schools like Yale, UPenn, Duke and Standord would entertain such a possibility? I can only imagine an admission officer seeing I go to Harvard and thinking "if he wasn't successful there, why would he be here," given how similar some of these schools are often made out to be. None the less, I really believe Harvard is unique in its inability to care for the needs of students, and other institutions could better provide such a community to me.
Thanks
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