r/harvardextension

For out-of-town ALM students/graduates, is it worth it to apply for membership and pay the initiation dues now, or wait until membership is offered at graduation?

I want to add that I could utilize the facility at least 3 times between a summer course, this fall, and the spring. The reciprocal club availability is also enticing.

Good early investment? Opportunities to attend networking events while in town?

Happy to hear any advice and suggestions.

Listen up, because I'm only going to preach this sermon one time and one time only.

Every other week, there is some thread asking the difference between HES and Harvard, touting the (imagined) differences between HES' rigor compared to "the real Harvard," or a thread that starts with a genuine question but somehow devolves into condescension towards students of HES vs. Harvard's 11 other schools and other T15 universities. It's clockwork at this point.

I implore you (same goes for me): stop entertaining the naysayers. For what it's worth, the argument rarely comes from those who have been accepted to any of Harvard's schools (they tend to know better), but usually from some miserable dope who was rejected by Harvard, flunked out, or is just too afraid of failing to apply.

Hear me and hear me good: HES is about as real Harvard as Harvard can get. We are the gladiators of Harvard's student body. We're not "paper admits." We didn't get offered admission on the blind assumption that we could do the work to keep up (and excel) because we're legacy, or our parents donated a huge check, or due to outdated standardized test scores, subjective HS report cards, and a couple of mock interviews.

We had to DO THE WORK FIRST. So put your emerging imposter syndrome in the trash; let the admits of the other schools keep that insecurity for themselves. You've already proved yourself capable by a mile. You were accepted into HES because you demonstrated you could handle the intellectual rigor and the applied theory in multiple courses before you even glimpsed an acceptance letter. Admissions staff never had to hope you had what it takes to succeed at Harvard--they hazed you and tested you in ridiculously challenging and writing-intensive courses before they even let you through the gates. They already knew you had everything it takes. You were never one of the "gambles" of Harvard's incoming class.

You are the equivalent of the walk-on athlete who didn't qualify for the draft, but makes even the top picks of the draft class pale in comparison. You are Rodman, Pippen, and Starks--playing on the same team as Bronny, Jr. and the Curry bros. You're likely not a product of parents who spent tens of thousands of dollars sending you to Ivy League summer programs, expensive prep camps, college admission "coaches" and private tutors. No; you're the walking definition of merit-based admission.

Your dad drove a taxi, your mom worked at the DMV, and the only prep camp you've ever attended was at the local YMCA. But you're here...in the same halls walked by some of the most brilliant minds that have ever lived...based solely on pure, raw talent, grit, and self-motivation. And dammit, that's a hell of an achievement.

Most of Harvard's student body (and their rejected applicants) have barely sniffed fresh air yet. They're mostly under 25 and have the ability to live on campus for years with no responsibilities but to study in peace. But not you.

You have a full-time job that takes 60+ hours of your week, a mortgage (or two), 2.4 kids, a dog, a spouse, and an ever-increasing tax bill every April. You're on travel for your job, stationed in Singapore, and logging in every week at 2 AM for a synchronous class that starts at 2 PM in Cambridge, then heading to your office at 6 AM for the next 8-10 hours. PURE GRIT.

There aren't any introductory catch-up classes for HES admits--either you have what it takes, or you don't. HES doesn't expend effort acclimating us to the rigor of the program with remedial "bridge" courses to make sure our prior schools taught us what we needed to know before we got to Harvard; either you know it, or you won't get admitted. And most of all--HES damn sure is not going to curve grades for us. If you want that A, you're going to sweat bucketloads for it.

There aren't any on-campus study groups to support you. You can't lean over and peer over a classmate's shoulder. And you certainly will not have your hand held by the faculty. If you can't grasp the material, you have 2-6 days to figure out how to make it make sense before you're expected to demonstrate your knowledge. RAW TALENT.

Most traditional students are in classes with other young adults who also live on campus and haven't even started their professional lives. That's why they need to learn theory. You've been there, done that, and got the taxable bonus already. You're beyond "theory." In the classes I've taken so far, I've had classmates who were hedge fund managers, biopharma execs, uber-successful tech VCs, NATO staffers, a senior chairman of the DNC, a policy analyst for the UN, and a former strategic advisor to the NSC. And that's just in the last semester. It's honestly a networking heaven that the rest of Harvard would kill to have access to. Ponder on that gift for a sec.

All that to say, despite whatever odd and somewhat illogical designation Harvard puts on HES' degrees (and the weird nomenclature is absolutely an issue by Harvard's own hand that they'll need to address sooner than later), don't doubt yourself and don't let a-holes on the internet doubt you either. The average HES student is 34+ years of age. Who gives a f**k what some random hiring manager on here says about how they'd rate your application compared to other traditional Harvard grads? You're not new to the professional world. You've been in this race for 10+ years. Shit, you are the hiring manager at your Fortune 100 company. And you are the exact type of peer most traditional students are dying to hobnob with for their next opportunity.

Stop letting insecure rejects (for the most part) challenge your ability when you're attempting one of the most rigorous universities in the world during the most chaotic time of your life. You're such a f**king gladiator that you volunteered to go to Harvard on Hard Mode while the onlookers are cruising in Practice.

If the other Harvard schools (or any of the other Ivy & Ivy-plus schools) had any insight, they'd make the "Prove You Can Handle It" route of admission the standard, not the exception. They'd likely admit fewer drop-outs, fail-outs, and unprepared disappointments that way. And perhaps, they could even do away with those "bridge" classes they begrudgingly require of the traditional incoming students now.

TL; DR: Yes, HES is the real f**king Harvard, and you'll only be admitted if you prove beyond a single doubt that you have what it takes to thrive here. There's no shortcut to demonstrating capability at HES. It's the other schools' admissions processes that leave room for doubt.

Stand on that.

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some honest advice from anyone who knows the US/UK systems. I'm a 30+ student living in Europe, and I want to finish an undergraduate degree in International Relations. Since I work and have other responsibilities, I need a solid online or hybrid model.

Right now, I’m stuck between two options and would love your take on them:

1. LSE / University of London (Online BSc): I know LSE is a massive name for IR, but the British system feels so cold and rigid. Dealing with their admissions bureaucracy as an international transfer is already a nightmare, and the 100% final-exam model sounds incredibly stressful.
2. Harvard Extension School (ALB degree): Their "Earn Your Way In" path (just passing 3 entry courses with a B or better) feels way more human and realistic. The continuous grading system seems much safer for keeping a good GPA. The only catch is making a couple of short trips to Boston for the campus requirement.

Just to clear things up: I’m strictly focused on International Relations, global politics, and consulting. I have absolutely zero interest in high finance or investment banking.

Given my situation, how do these two brands actually compare out there in the real world (diplomacy, NGOs, global consulting)? Is the brutal exam pressure at LSE worth it, or does the more supportive, GPA-friendly Harvard Liberal Arts model make more sense for an adult student?

Would love to hear any thoughts or personal experiences. Thanks a ton!

I applied for financial aid with HES as I just got admitted this semester, however, I was told I don’t qualify for the grant only loans. I’ve been reading around and many people are saying they make more than me (I make around 70k a year) and they easily were granted 50% grant tuition. What exactly am I missing, is there any reason why I shouldn’t be qualifying for this grant? It’s already very hard for me to afford 1 class a semester and I was hoping to take 2 for this upcoming one, but I won’t be able to afford it, and I’m not taking out a loan because of interest rates. Any advice is appreciated :)

Hi everyone,

I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Data Science and AI, and this is my first semester. So far, I’ve been enjoying it more than expected. I was worried about the fully online format, but the live Zoom sessions and course structure have been solid, and the flexibility works well for me.

I have a B.S. in CS degree and about six years of SWE experience. I’m also working on a very early-stage startup, so I spent quite a bit of time deciding between Management and DS.

For those who have completed the degree, did it meaningfully help your career, job prospects, or business?

From what I’ve seen, many graduates were already employed and used it as an additional credential. I’ve also come across a few posts from people who put a lot of effort into the degree but still struggled to find work for a long time afterward, which honestly made me a little concerned.

I’m especially curious about experiences from people who used the degree to pivot, advance, or build something of their own.

Would really appreciate any honest perspectives. Thanks!

Any one here start a HES program without any work experience in that field?

Need to get a bailout plan together since my industry is dying.

HES is perfect for the transition until I can safely commit to jumping ship.

(I have a BS in a related field, just not currently using it)

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if some kind of orientation will be held prior to summer session II starting? Looking for guidance on picking up my ID as well.

Hi I'm getting the alm in data science, I'm wondering how many worth the degree have been able to leverage for a career pivot into data science, not just for career growth of your already in data science, but for a genuine pivot.

I've read allot of negative comments about this, seems like a pivot isn't possible with this degree. What are your thoughts?

Would love to hear your experience. I'm thinking of applying

Hi everyone,

I have been preparing the graduate school application essay, and recently see the writing center offers the service of essay review. My question is has anyone actually made an appointment with the writing center? Are people there helpful? What's your experience?

Any thought would be welcomed and appreciated.

I am taking Professor Adar’s accounting course, how does his exam format work? Does he allow us to use calculators? Is the exam proctored? How does his exams work. Looking for an insight, not seeing anything on his syllabus

How many hours a week do you spend on one class, on average? I understand there’s variables, but I’m trying to determine if I can come even close to the necessary time commitment.

To all of those who are starting their summer class(es), especially those partaking in their first of their required admissions courses: I wish you all the best of success and that you reap the rewards of this amazing journey!

Good luck and have fun, you’ll all do great!

I have mostly been looking at part-time design master's at the usual art-school names, RCA, UAL, Parsons, RISD, Pratt, the places that carry weight in that domain and keep cohorts small. Harvard would not normally come up for this kind of programme, but the HES ALM in Digital Media Design and Creative AI keeps standing out. The curriculum is the most current and industry-relevant I have come across. It is a combination that requires both design principles and technology, so a school like HES seems to have a serious advantage here over traditional design or engineering schools, as it is multidisciplinary.

My one open question is the electives. The standard pool is Extension and Summer School courses, but ALM candidates can apparently apply for GSAS special-student status and cross-register into select courses at other Harvard schools, including the GSD.

Has anyone actually done this? Are GSD courses realistically reachable, how hard is it to qualify, and was it worth the hoops, or did you just stay with Extension and Summer School courses?

First-hand experiences ideally. The GSD is a serious design school with no part-time route, so being able to cross-register even a couple of its courses would be a real addition to the ALM.

Solved. They don't bump you up it's just a way of making sure that a student is not wildly under qualified for the class.

Thank you for the help! I'm getting server errors when I try to respond to the comments. I truly appreciate them.

...

I am worried, hopefully needlessly.

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I don't want to tackle expo 25 in the summer even if that's where my writing is at. I therefore took expo 15. There are some basics I know I'm missing so it can't hurt. Can you refuse being bumped up?

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Thank you all very much.