Open enrollment at Harvard and Columbia

Richard over at the ClueHQ blog has written a great post about admissions to Columbia's video-based distance education program. Richard is an ALB student at the Extension School, and is already scouting out masters programs in computer science and IT. He had this to say about open enrollment:

The degree programs at Harvard Extension School and Columbia Video Network both require you to make a formal application for admission. In the case of the undergraduate/graduate programs at Harvard, the main discriminator is the successful completion of the required three classes with required grades. Because of this, it’s more certain that everyone who applies has been exposed to the coursework and can do the work. GRE scores and recommendations from previous professors are not required.

Since the Columbia Video Network is a part of the Fu School of Engineering at Columbia, their process is a bit different. You must make a formal application that has more in common with the traditional graduate programs. Applications must include current GRE scores along with two recommendations from previous professors. A CV or resume and a personal statement is also required. Transcripts from all undergraduate coursework are also required. Admissions are handled on a rolling basis throughout the year.

My take on open enrollment at the Extension School is that it is great for casual learners, but when combined with the Extension School's stringent degree requirements, is more effective than a standardized test and admissions essay in terms of determining who is capable of completing the coursework and research.

Richard has been reading Harvard Extended for years and has taken many of his ALB classes via distance ed. He probably knows more about distance education at the Extension School than anyone else, so his assessments of the Columbia program are worth paying attention to. He describes the CVN program here, and I hope he'll keep us appraised of his graduate school plans in the months to come.