What do you think of these Non-traditional programs?

Transfer Students
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<p>returningstudent:</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure I want to attend grad school but my research (for law & business school) suggest that gpa is more important than the institution--although reputation does factor into it. </p>

<p>The way I decided that the difference between traditional/non-traditional programs did not matter as much is that I'll probably have to go to grad school part-time. Some of the Top 30 b-schools have part-time studies for business; For law, a handfull of the Top 20-30 schools have part-time programs as well. I noticed (using the LSAT/GPA grid) that getting into the law shcool part-time programs is a bit easier than their full-time counterparts. The same is true of b-school programs (looking at college GPA & GMAT scores).</p>

<p>Although I am not ruling out going to a full-time grad program (as some great full-time programs are easier to get into than other schools part-time programs), it is comforting to know that it's more important to enjoy your college experience and get great recs and grades than the rank of an undergraduate school. It took me a while for it to sink in, but I can breathe easy now.</p>

<p>The problem is that I now need to find a school that is a fit, rather than what I was looking for the first time around. BTW...I did have enough credits from my local community college to make me technically a first semester junior...but Harvard did not accept many of the credits or my APs (4's & 5's). So, I know what your going through. I had to choose between several great liberal arts colleges and universities (that did accept some or all of my credits), and Harvard. And, I have kicked myself.</p>

<p>My decision also involves being in college for a couple of extra years, so I figured that I needed to be honest with myself--not easy for anyone. I had to ask myself if the Harvard undergraduate degree will mean something other than a badge that said I was a success after a few years outside of school. Given the disconnect that I feel at Harvard, it was an easy answer. I did not want that to be the 'truth', so I kept pushing it to the back of my mind since my first semester. Had I accepted it and taken steps to correct it, I would have applied for transfer this Fall, instead of the 2006-2007 school year.</p>

<p>Anyhow, sorry about the rambling. This time, the school I will end up at will be based on how I feel about my education rather than what others think or validation that I am totally worthy. I especially did not think I was doing the latter, until it prevented me from being true to myself...and prolonged the journey. I'm just glad I realized it, though I do have missgivings about not being 'smarter' when I made my original decision. </p>

<p>What some colleges call experience (especially when talking about non-traditional students) is sometimes also called 'The Hard Way' The only thing I can do at this point is wear it proudly, you know? :)</p>

<p>Ciao...gotta go get some grub. :)</p>

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<p>AlricT:</p>

<p>I'm interested in entering law/business or law+business as well. I'm beginning to think that my priorities should be (in rank order): my personal happiness my grades... and not the "prestige" of the undergraduate institution. </p>

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<p>This is interesting to note. I wonder if the part-time, um, ness (?) of the graduate school has anything to do with their acceptance of the part-timeness of their applicants. I would think they would look at your current situation (which, admittedly, is probably the same as the undergraduate situation in this case), and decide based on that. But it's an interesting approach.</p>

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<p>Yes, yes. That elusive fit. I'd definitely like to talk more with you about that. I have my own community college transfer story I would happily tell you in another forum. </p>

<p>Talk to you soon. :)</p>

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<p>returningstudent:</p>

<p>Check out Georgetown's part-time law program stats, as well as George Washington and Fordham for examples of this. BTW: Georgetown's law school started originally as a part-time program then expanded to include full-timers. :) Here's the link to the law school info:</p>

<p><a href="http://officialguide.lsac.org/search/cgi-bin/lsatgpa.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://officialguide.lsac.org/search/cgi-bin/lsatgpa.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Definately something to think on. Let me know what you think about it.</p>

<p>After looking at the grad school programs (business schools are easier in general to get into)...I'm more secure with transfering out of Harvard. Strange how the stats helped me relax a bit. No longer a huge deal. Perspective is great now that I know something. But, it's hard to stay on that train when all kinds of second guessing by yourself and others intrude...like the little Devil whispering in your ear. I sometimes lose it myself to a little self-doubt (who doesn't?)...until I read what some have said on CC (i.e. a few hyper-competitive over achieving high schoolers). The lack of good data creates speculation which often becomes gospel through repetition--rather than by simply being factual. </p>

<p>Before I forget...Northwestern, UChicago, NYU, USC, Minnesota, Texas, Carnagie Mellon, Ohio State, etc...have part-time or night options for business that are easier to get into than their full-time programs--though the degrees are identical.</p>

<p>Hope you can use this.</p>

<p>Ciao. :)</p>

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<p>I am in the process of going to Harvard extension school,I would like for you to tell me your views of the school please.Thanks</p>

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<p>What can you do at Harvard extension school since they dont offer any degrees. I think</p>

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<p>Alric-</p>

<p>Did you go to Harvard College directly out of High School? I am curious because I am looking to go to Harvard Extension School and then transfer to Harvard College.</p>

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<p>The Extension School offers AA & BA in several areas, as well as Certificates, MA, and Post-BA study.</p>

<p>As for going straight out of high school....I did not. I waited a couple of years.</p>

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<p>you can't go to harvard extension right out of hs. Also it's not like you get any advance going to harvard extension.</p>

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<p>"The Extension School offers AA & BA in several areas, as well as Certificates, MA, and Post-BA study."</p>

<p>Bacholor degree's in what areas? AA is the same thing as a community college degree. Certificates are useless unless your in the IT field and I'm not sure what Post-BA study is. I went on the Havards site and the only degree I can find is a Liberal Arts degree. Thats pretty worthless compared to the vast range of degrees Havard College offers.</p>

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<p>well an ivy degree is an ivy degree,and I, in my opinion, do not think it is worthless in any sense of the word. I mean it is more challenging than any non traditional school program.</p>

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<p>TPeck:</p>

<p>Actually, you choose a concentration...same as the college, from what I understand. Here are the optional fields of concentration:</p>

<pre><code>* Anthropology and Archaeology
* Biology
* Classical Civilizations
* Computer Science
* Dramatic Arts
* Economics
* English and American Literature and Language
* Environmental Studies
* French
* Government
* History
* History of American Civilization
* History of Art and Architecture
* Literature and Creative Writing
* Mathematics
* Philosophy
* Psychology
* Religion
* Spanish
</code></pre>

<p>The Extension School also runs the Summer School program at Harvard, as well as post-BA studies to prepare for grad school.</p>

<p>AA's for various reasons are not 'worthless', as it marks the half way point towards a BA. Also, some schools prefer AA students for transfer.</p>

<p>Ciao.</p>

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<p>Some that might be worth looking at:</p>

<p>IDP at Trinity College -- several friends going there who love it
Ada Comstock at Smith (assuming you're female and all)
Program at Wellesley -- can't recall the name, but a friend is starting there in fall</p>

<p>Those might have already been mentioned, but I have a splitting headache and I'm being lazy about reading tonight. (Sorry!)</p>

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<p>You could go to a community college and get the same degree way way cheaper.</p>

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<p>Tpeck:</p>

<p>Actually, The Extension School tution is cheaper than some community college classes. Also, some of the better colleges and universities do not accept CC credits, whereas it is not an issue with the Harvard ones.</p>

<p>The Harvard Extension School does not have remidial classes like the CC's. The classes I took at the local CC did not transfer to Harvard...nor the other universities that I applied to. However, The Harvard Extension classes one of my friends took did transfer.</p>

<p>Thus, CC's will cost you in time and often in $$.</p>

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<p>I am as well,taking the community college courses that the advisor tells me will transfer,so were going a 4 year plan,as well as going through the process for the community college,as well those credits will transfer :)</p>

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<p>brandon:</p>

<p>My experiences with the CC classes not transfering had to do with which schools I chose to apply to. For instance, most of the Ivies take only certain courses for transfer, although public schools were better about the courses; UVA (public) took some of the CC credits, while UWisconsin took all of them.</p>

<p>If one plans to stay in the same state as the CC, it makes transfering to a 4-year branch easier (i.e. CA 2-year to, say, UCLA). It just depends on how you plan to use the credits and to what schools. For myself, I used my local CC classes to get a leg up in admissions to Harvard (which is in a different state). Had I known that the CC classes would not transfer, I would have started taking a course or two via The Harvard Extension School, where most of the credits would have transfered.</p>

<p>Each individual needs to assess their situation and establish goals before deciding on whether to take CC classes, especially if they are applying as first-years or as transfers. Within state public institutions, transfer students seem to have it the easiest, while a public to private transfer is a bit more involved and problematic.</p>

<p>Again, a degree is not just a degree (Tpack's reasoning) or people would not be trying to get into particular colleges (whether for the AA or BA).</p>

<p>:)</p>

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<p>is 22 really "non-traditional"? for a junior transfer? maybe at the high end of the age spectrum, but i was under the impression that non-traditional was generally late 20s and up. truth be told, i don't know if i'd have much interest in being a non-trad student. too awkward.</p>

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<p>The typical definition of non-traditional is 24+, married, and/or with children.</p>

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<p>wellumyeah: "truth be told, i don't know if i'd have much interest in being a non-trad student. too awkward."</p>

<p>no one 'chooses' to become a non-trad student, we are simply victims of unfortunate circumstances. yes, it's awkward now but i have absolutely no regrets - starting school late in life has allowed for more introspection than I ever anticipated, I know who I really am, what I really want, and exactly what I need to do to get there. I don't see my current status as a negative, in fact we nontrads have such an advantage over the typical college student. most of us have been in the working world, have tons of experience & wisdom in addition to a steadfast determination/drive/ambition.....you get my point, so when I graduate in 2 yrs, I don't expect to work in an entry level position. Also, IMO (and based on experience) professors tend to respect non-trads more as they see not just how serious we are about learning but how much we actually ENJOY it!</p>

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<p>beginning:</p>

<p>There are no typical definitions of non-traditional students, although they all have in common time away from college. Different schools have different programs, so it depends on how the individual universities define it as well.</p>

<p>Some non-traditional students could do away with one aspect of the traditional college scene...namely the propensity to party. While living in a dorm is okay, you'd be amazed by how many weekend partiers have gotten sick in the halls; Others have to be reiminded to be quiet after 1-2 am on week days. Instead of being respectful, I've often seen undegrads get ****ed about it...not very adult behavior.</p>

<p>I'm just a couple of years out of the traditional college age range, but it is rather tedious to have to deal with the angst some undergrads generate. Don't get me wrong, in most other instances they handle themselves very well. It's just the social experiences are a bit different than those in society at large. Hence, I'm more open to non-traditional programs than I would have been had I not had experiences in the typical college dorm.</p>

<p>For better or worse, non-traditionals tend to be more settled socially.</p>

<p>Oh well, to each his or her own. :)</p>