Will graduate schools in the United States and abroad accept an online college degree

[HogwartsSchool]

Harvard College has acceptance rate of 3.2%, however, the other graduate colleges are not 3.2%. Example, Harvard Graduate School of Education has around 35% acceptance rate; Harvard Graduate School of Design has round 17%; John F. Kennedy School of Government around 33%. There is a big difference between only thinking 3.2% vs 33%. 

source: https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schoo...13347.aspx

Higher numbers don't directly reflect a decrease of competitiveness in this context. A good number of the people accepted into those graduate programs are still going to fall into the types of categories I lightly touched on earlier:

- Harvard Bachelor's degree holders

- Harvard Master's degree holders (we have to keep in mind that the graduate schools also have PhD programs so Harvard Master's holders are going to be in the mix, and some Master's holders will also go for a second Master's though there are some restrictions on that at Harvard)

^ So those two types are almost certain to get priority even if it's meant to be unintentional.

- Bachelor's and Master's degree holders from top prestige schools (Other Ivy's)

And beneath that, some students from schools considered not quite as prestigious (but still strong reputations, name brands) like USC, Stanford, Notre Dame, etc. Then at the bottom of that, a sprinkle of lucky students from mid-tiered schools, then a smidge of students from lower-tiered school... and then beneath that you might find a couple of students from the lowest-tiered schools like TESU, WGU, etc... and even "a couple" is going to be a generous estimate in any given year.

Optimism is a good thing, but being realistic isn't the opposite of optimism. Realism can help a person plan rationally with a rational outlook and set realistic expectations.

So I'll reiterate that it's possible, but not very probable. Edge cases don't change that.

Harvard gives special treatment to legacy students/applicants. The OP can't change the fact that the OP is not a legacy student/applicant. Agree that Harvard will give special treatment to other Harvard College, Yale, and MIT applicants. I agree as well, IVY students don't have all the hurdles I list below but demonstrating overcoming those hurdles can separate oneself from the pack. 

I can list a million reasons why someone would never get accepted; however, I would prefer to list the hurdles that someone can manage while understanding the odds. Unexpected success is a combo of hard work and just plain luck. 

Things someone can manage. Example. Go to UMPI, graduate with a degree, summa cum laude. Develop relationships with the professors. Go to WGU, and graduate with a Master's. Again, develop relationships with the professors. Join associations related to your field, get a specialized certificate in your area, and intern for various projects. Develop a strong resume. Have strong professor recommendations. Separate yourself from everyone else in your personal statement with a bold story about your background and why you would succeed at X college and life afterward, again demonstratingthe hurdles you have overcome. Reach out to the school before admission, meet the faculty, other students, etc. Show them your interest and why they should accept you. Apply for Harvard, even if it's a 10% odd of being accepted and most importantly, have backup schools where you also apply. 

Additional note: Some IVY universities are better about accepting students, not just from other IVY schools. Research is fundamental in the application process.