<p>Hi folks!</p>
<p>Reading through all the different postings, forums, and topics (as well as whatever else you may call these things), I have found a dire lack of knowledge regarding the Extension School. I also can’t believe the no one would give Matty a straight up answer. Well, this here is a DETAILED look at the Extension School from someone who actually attends the school. Anyone interested in the Extension School, just read my posting and save yourself from reading through all the ******** about the school.</p>
<p>Anyway, getting on with it… Lets go through some common questions people have:</p>
<p>What is the Extension School and is it “really” Harvard?</p>
<p>The Extension School is for “non-traditional” students. It is one of two Undergraduate degree granting schools at Harvard University; the other being the College. The school also offers Graduate degrees. Yes, it is really Harvard. The why’s and how’s will be addressed in following questions.</p>
<p>Who teachers at the Extension School and how do the courses compare to those taught at say, Harvard College?</p>
<p>The Extension School’s classes are taught by various members of the Harvard faculty, some from the College, while others are from the Graduate schools. The other teachers that teach at the Extension School come from other local Universities such as Boston University. Obviously, if you have teachers that teach at the other Harvard schools as well as local schools such as BU, you do not have to worry about the teachers being capable of teaching academically challenging courses.</p>
<p>Are the courses challenging? How do they Compare with those at the College?</p>
<p>We have the EXACT same courses as at the college. The syllabus for the courses are the same and at times, the teachers are even the same. The courses are just are rigorous with their material and the grading is just as difficult/meticulous. We may not have EVERY single course that the College offers but there are so many to choose from that it’s hard to imagine anyone being unhappy with the course selection.</p>
<p>Does the Extension School have clubs?</p>
<p>Yes, the extension school does! They have their own student body (HESA) as well as many other clubs. But wait! How about the Harvard College clubs, you ask? I’ll address that in a separate question.</p>
<p>So if it really is Harvard, you have Harvard staff teaching you, and you have the same standards of academic rigor being met, how is the Extension School different from the College?</p>
<p>The Extension School has it’s classes during the evening. Second, you are not offered room in the dorms, primarily because most Extension Students are expected to be adults that have day jobs in far off places. Living on campus just wouldn’t be feasible for them. The Extension School is also different with its admission policy. Lets talk about this whole “open admission” thing first. Anyone can take a course at Harvard Extension if they can pay for it. It’s as simple as that. To be a degree candidate, on the other hand, requires you to fulfill some requirements. I won’t go into those details since those are very easily available on the Extension School’s website (I shall abbreviate the Extension School as the ES from on).</p>
<p>If it is “Open Admission” doesn’t that make the school less prestigious when compared to the College?</p>
<p>In a way, maybe? Most people don’t know that some very large schools used to be open admission until fairly recently as well. This whole notion of ranking colleges/universities is what changed that. Harvard Extension has stuck by it’s mission of allowing a wider community access to a QUALITY education. You are not falling for some cheap gimmick being passed off as something more than it is. It really depends on how you look at it and what you make of Harvard Extension School. More below!</p>
<p>What do people at the College think of you, as an Extension Student?</p>
<p>I have never faced any form of discrimination on Campus. I am a member of the Harvard Community. Most people acknowledge that. You’ll find the snobby exception, I guess… I have only ever heard of these people though! I have fortunately not run into anyone (yet).</p>
<p>All of that stuff can be found out by watching one of the ES Info Sessions (check Youtube). Lets talk about stuff that I found out from being a student!</p>
<p>I am of traditional student age. Is the ES for me?</p>
<p>Well join the club! So am I (as already mentioned above). The number of traditional age students at the Extension School keeps increasing. You will definitely be a minority at the ES but you have the opportunity to mix in with students from the College. You also have your classmates to learn from. You have access to both sides of the fence. It comes down to whether you want to take the bold step and actually make friends that are older than you/at the College.</p>
<p>The Extension School may have clubs but it doesn’t have as many as the College. Can you participate in the clubs of Harvard College?</p>
<p>This is up to the Club management. Most clubs will allow you to partake in their meetings. Not being at the college, you are not eligible to be an officer in the clubs but you are open to participate in them if the club allows you to! There are two hindrances that make this slightly difficult though… The first is that most clubs meet in the evenings when ES students have their classes. The second is that even after you become a degree candidate at the ES, you are not given access to the dorms and their dining halls. But wait!! All hope is not lost. I am a member of multiple Harvard College clubs. I don’t have swipe access but guess what. I don’t need it! Make friends at the college!! Tag along with friends to these meetings. If you aren’t going to socialize and make friends/network, then you aren’t making the most of Harvard anyway so make friends!!</p>
<p>Can you attend Harvard College classes?</p>
<p>Well, this question becomes a bit tricky. Technically the only way to do this is via the Special Student program but let me share the fruits of my research with everyone. Many College Professors will let you attend their lectures in the morning. One such example is CS50, taught by David J. Malan. CS50 is AMAZING btw. Take the class!! There are other classes too. You just have to ask the professors! It is ultimately up to them.</p>
<p>Accommodation?</p>
<p>Well housing in Cambridge is super expensive. I commute to the campus. It sucks but I make do. I am on campus almost every single day of the week (clubs and events on the weekends).</p>
<p>Online vs. Local?</p>
<p>I would definitely say try try try and try AGAIN to live close to campus. Try to be on campus every day. Subscribe to every email list that even slightly piques your interest. Network, make friends, join clubs. This is all if you are of a “traditional” student age. There are events almost every single day on campus. Attend these! Club meetings, the Harvard Libraries (Widener is fabulous!), etc etc. Just be on campus people!!</p>
<p>Are the ES Harvard ID cards any different from the Havard College ID cards?</p>
<p>Nope! There is only a small distinction between the two that most people probably wouldn’t even notice. I guess the no dorm access can count as a difference too but I plan on talking to the admin to see if this can be changed (wish me luck)!</p>
<p>Can I transfer from the ES to the College?</p>
<p>Nope. :)</p>
<p>How much better is Harvard ES compared to community colleges?</p>
<p>Remember, you always want to compare apples to apples. There is really no comparison. The ES has online classes? Big deal! The ES has open admissions? Big deal!! Look at who you are being taught by, where you are being taught, whom you are being taught alongside, and what you are being taught.</p>
<p>Do you get financial aid at the ES?</p>
<p>Yes but only once you are a degree candidate! Check out the ES website!</p>
<p>Harvard ID perks?</p>
<p>You get all of them (access to museums, discounts etc etc). Again, the only difference between College and ES id’s is dorm access.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the entirely experience is in your hands. You have to take the initiative to go out and make the most of your ES career. Make friends at the college, make friends with the managers, accountants, PhD’s, and others that share your class. Make friends with the faculty. Be on campus. Attend on campus events. Use the libraries. Do everything that a traditional student would do, while also taking advantage of the things that students at the College do not have access to. The ES is an AMAZING school. I don’t care what anyone says about it. I have a 14 year old in one of my classes. Isn’t that amazing? Being given the opportunity to study at Harvard at 14, if you are capable of studying at College level. I have a friend who came to the ES straight out of high school. He graduated last year and started a business before he left school. 7 months in, the company is making HUGE money, working with Fortune 500 organizations, all because of the contacts he gained from the Extension School. Don’t let the people who have no idea what traditional students have to gain from the ES, talk you out of it. Don’t read stuff that makes you feel inferior about being at the ES! You are a part of Harvard University. You will be a part of the Alumni Association when you graduate. Harvard accepts you as their own, the people of the other schools accept you as one of them. You ARE at Harvard. Don’t come for the ability to put Harvard on your resume though. Come to make something of your experience at Harvard. Make a future for yourself. Supplement your time at the ES by using your free mornings with work. Internships/entry level professional jobs. Keep yourself busy and make the most of your time at college!!</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!</p>
<p>(Sorry this got so long… I was tired of reading the stuff people had to say about the school, most of which was based off of outdated information or just plain lies).</p>
But what I said wasn’t completely wrong either…). Searchingforinfo right for the most part