Harvard / Harvard Extension school?

Question

I have a question about the Harvard Extension school. I can't actually move to the east coast to go to Harvard, but I am interested in their Extension school which has online classes. I have a few questions though:

1. Can you earn a real degree from the Harvard Extension school? For example, a BA or MA... not just an Associates Degree or a certificate of some kind?

2. Since it has an "open-enrollment" policy, is that just a fancy way of saying community college? What I mean is, on my transcript, will it look bad to have Harvard Extension School, as it would if I had some sort of community college on there?

3. Can any one of their classes be taken towards a degree, or must you enroll in one of their special programs for it to count towards in undergraduate degree?

4. Can I use courses from the Harvard Extension School as prerequisites for MEDICAL SCHOOL (real medical school)?

Thanks so much! I'll pick a best answer TONIGHT!

Answer 1

1) Harvard extension doesn't have a bachelor's online. They do offer a Master of Liberal Arts and I believe a Master's in some area of technology. (at least they did last time I read the rules) They offer several certificate programs that are very well respected. The course list is fantastic!

2) The open enrollment doesn't exactly mean everyone is accepted - it means there's no enrollment time period. Acceptance at Harvard Extension is easier than regular admission. Harvard Extension is not a community college by any stretch but it also isn't the regular college. In most circles it's simply "Harvard" and that's 'nuf said.

3) Not sure I follow here. Their degrees have specific requirements so you'd have to meet the degree requirements vs simply collecting a random 120 semester hours. Credit from Harvard Extension will transfer just about anywhere, even to Harvard University!

4) Yes, if you're talking about using courses and not degrees. In fact, that's not a bad idea. You could earn your bachelor's anywhere and then on your med school application indicate that you completed courses xyz at Harvard Extension. Med school committees know exactly what Harvard Extension is though - you won't pull one over on them.

also) These classes are VERY hard. It's not an easy way to some Harvard education but instead a way to a Harvard education when you can't go to Boston. The professors are the same and the course requirements are the same. Trust me on this one - VERY DEMANDING

I suggest that everyone give one of these courses a try. Fantastic educational opportunity to learn from some of the best and brightest.

Answer 2

Considering you get a valid Harvard student ID number, Harvard email address, get into the Harvard directory and can use Harvard campus facilities... I'd say YES. But you are legally bound to identify the degree as Harvard Extension on your resume. Some of the courses are not taught by Harvard professors themselves, but there is a minimum requirement to take Harvard professor classes to earn a degree. It's not full-on Ivy League (in that you didn't have to compete as an elite to get in), but people who sneeze at it are either ignorant or personally could never actually complete an HES degree and make the Dean's list. (Yes, there is a Dean's List and graduation honors as you graduate AT Harvard in a Harvard graduation ceremony.) Anyway, this is 3 years later, so you probably know this already. But for those who don't...