Harvard ALM vs. Columbia Post-bac

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I graduated from a state university with a B.S. in math and econ but unfortunately didn't get a change to take any psychology class. I would like to gain some background knowledge and research experience in psychology starting next year before applying to Ph.D program in the future. </p>

<p>So I've been weighing ALM program in psychology against Columbia's post-bac program for psychology certificate but it's really hard for me to decide which one to opt for.(This is of course based on the happy assumption that I can get accepted into both but I'll leave that matter aside.)</p>

<p>ALM seems to take extra year or two(or even more) compared with the certificate program and this really worries me a lot. A blog I've been reading said it takes 4-5 years which sounds super long to me.</p>

<p>Another matter is the rigor of the two programs. From the perspective of Ph.D admission committee, would an applicant with the certificate seem more attractive than another with ALM degree because the certificate program is designed especially for people pursuing Ph.D?</p>

<p>I've been studying ALM for days reading the HES web and some other private blog-postings and it appears it's actually academically more rigorous than any certicate programs. ALM is, of course, unlike the certificate program provided by Columbia, for people of a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and motivations, but I'm not sure if this reflects less competitiveness when compared to Columbia's post-bac certificate program.</p>

<p>If you are familiare with either of the two programs can you take a few minutes to give me some clues? I'll really appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>I’m not familiar with the programs; however, I think you should consider a few things.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Where will you be able to do research, and more of it, with professors? Harvard’s program is longer, but it is also in the Extension School, which may mean limited opportunities. If you can do a year of intense psychology with some moderate research experience, followed by a year of research with one of your professors, you’ll be a stronger candidate. Your odds may be better at Columbia, although I don’t know this for a fact.</p></li>
<li><p>Since graduate courses most likely will not transfer, you’ll probably want to minimize the time spent on them and maximize your knowledge base. Choose the program that allows you to take advanced courses as soon as possible. Check out course sequences and schedules.</p></li>
<li><p>Prestige of the institution is a non-issue in this case. Instead, the prestige of your LOR writers and quality of your research will matter. Choose the program that will allow you to work closely with associate or full professors (not adjuncts), with smaller, face-to-face classes that will allow you to distinguish yourself to increase odds of doing research with one.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Thanks for the very quick and helpful reply. It gives me a new angle to see the problem and what you pointed out here are all very important to me. I’m not seeking for name prestige because both are far from “prestigious” anyway.</p>