Would doing this help me get admitted to a competitive Harvard graduate degree program?

Question

I want to apply to a Harvard graduate degree program in a few years. Would it make a difference if I take some undergrad-level courses in the same field as a continuing education student at Harvard? Or do you think that will have no positive impact on whether I will be admitted?

Answer 1

I don't think it would make any difference. For one thing, I am assuming you would already have a good undergraduate degree. For another, the continuing education program at most schools is somewhat looked down upon by academics. It is usually just a money-making operation for the university. The courses are not taught by faculty hired in the same manner as those who teach in the usual university - they are hired by continuing education administrators, rather than by their academic departments.