tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post4859571890720918316..comments2023-10-06T03:24:42.143-05:00Comments on Harvard Extended: Final thoughts about Harvard ExtensionI Lamonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681877739319223934noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-73971183077285233612020-05-22T22:43:04.904-05:002020-05-22T22:43:04.904-05:00In the decade + since this blog post was written, ...In the decade + since this blog post was written, remote learning and remote working have continued to increase. Being online doesn't make studies "continuing" versus "actual." They meet the needs of an ever-changing, modern world. Harvard is providing learning opportunities outside of their campus, a win-win for them and students around the world. On campus learning definitely is ideal and has advantages, but remote learning, especially nowadays with Zoom and WebEx, bridge the divide more and more. I work remotely with a team across the country and I thrive at work (from home.) I also received a liberal arts degree from DePaul University in Chicago with a similar framework of being geared toward adult learners who work full time. My schoolwork was in a classroom since online study didn't really exist then. (I graduated in 2001.)<br /><br />As someone with an HR background and resume writing and consulting service, a Harvard education on a resume will always go far. If you are truly bothered by any affiliation to online study or the extension name, I would suggest you enroll in one of their traditional schools. For me- I am considering applying to the extension masters program. It's a blessing it would be made available to me while I am living and working in Chicago and managing the high school and college lives of my 2 kids. It's a changing world. I don't see how I could ever earn a masters degree at this point in my life ----from anywhere---- with classroom-only instruction. Would be impossible for me.<br /><br />I like the point of your blog stating that you have access to top notch academics and professionals in your field of study. Excellent. This is what I seek out in my daily lifelong learning pursuits. Would expect nothing less from Harvard.<br /><br />Thank you for your blog!Anna Rosegradnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-67121398593161042882019-06-14T13:59:00.792-05:002019-06-14T13:59:00.792-05:00Hi Ian,
Thank you for the wonderful blogs. I am ...Hi Ian, <br /><br />Thank you for the wonderful blogs. I am planning to apply for joint programme degree and master at Harvard Extension. I am able to move to Boston and focus on this 100% of my time. What is the shortest amount of time needed to complete ALM?<br /><br />Appreciate your help :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09879282902920166892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-33487555363590346802018-07-24T02:24:30.700-05:002018-07-24T02:24:30.700-05:00Hi Ian,
I recently passed three of the gateway co...Hi Ian,<br /><br />I recently passed three of the gateway courses with A's for Harvard extension finance graduate program. I was told by the admissions advisor that they have all the documents they needed and my application is submitted. I am quite anxious of the decision and wanted to know that being I passed all the prerequisites should I be confident that I will be admitted into the program? Thank you for your help.Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03804031302315743461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-24751126151251865172018-07-24T02:24:15.102-05:002018-07-24T02:24:15.102-05:00Hi Ian,
I recently passed three of the gateway co...Hi Ian,<br /><br />I recently passed three of the gateway courses with A's for Harvard extension finance graduate program. I was told by the admissions advisor that they have all the documents they needed and my application is submitted. I am quite anxious of the decision and wanted to know that being I passed all the prerequisites should I be confident that I will be admitted into the program? Thank you for your help.Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03804031302315743461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-64186420276144787652018-01-17T16:33:10.256-05:002018-01-17T16:33:10.256-05:00Hi Danny,
HES will (or used to) make an effort to...Hi Danny,<br /><br />HES will (or used to) make an effort to match ALM students with the appropriate faculty member in Harvard FAS or the other schools, but there is no guarantee that they would be able to make the match ... in which case you would have to settle for someone else, perhaps even outside of the narrow specialty you are interested in (for instance, an Anthropologist as opposed to a linguistic anthropologist). On the other hand, the school is very flexible when it comes to research topics, both for the thesis as well as in other classes. <br /><br />One thing to note as well: An ALM will not carry the same weight as a doctorate, but can be a stepping stone to advanced study elsewhere (it happens all the time for driven ALM researchers). <br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />Ian <br /> I Lamonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14681877739319223934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-90523841791053969042018-01-17T15:08:38.995-05:002018-01-17T15:08:38.995-05:00Hi Ian,
I am prospective ALM student and just fou...Hi Ian, <br />I am prospective ALM student and just found your amazing blog. Like you, I am more interested in the possibility of studying under Harvard faculty and completing a thesis. I already have a MA, but unfortunately chose the general exams over the thesis so I am thirsty for this research/thesis experience. My dilemma--and I must say that my entire existence recently has been consumed by trying to decide on HES or a EdD at my undergrad institution--is that my research interests are in a field not offered by HES, so the closest concentration for me would be Anthro/Archeology. My question, and maybe you can offer some insight, is would it even be possible to complete a thesis as an Anthro concentrator in a field loosely connected to Anthro (say Linguistic Anthropology?) How would this work if I want to "branch out" a bit to fit my specific interests? Would I have the option to work under the tutelage of a linguistics thesis director while still incorporating Anthro into my work, even though linguistics is not an HES concentration?Danynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-57717091737064884752017-06-08T23:55:14.920-05:002017-06-08T23:55:14.920-05:00While I understand your reasoning, I disagree that...While I understand your reasoning, I disagree that Harvard Extension students should receive the same benefits and access as a regular admitted Harvard College student. <br /><br />There is a reason why you chose to go in through Harvard Extension and not regular admission... because you can't compete. What is the point of a student who worked hard and performed well get the same treatment and benefits as someone who didn't?? <br /><br />There's a reason why Harvard is Harvard, it is HARD to get in and they only accept the best. If they let everybody in the Extension programs use everything and anything, nobody would ever try or dream to get into Harvard anymore and Harvard simply would no longer be Harvard. <br /><br />So if you're complaining that being a Harvard Extension student doesn't get you the same thing, why don't you go and apply through the normal route if you think you're so entitled to it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-53185144616907933042016-12-03T09:42:27.320-05:002016-12-03T09:42:27.320-05:00The both of you are completely wrong, and myself a...The both of you are completely wrong, and myself and my colleagues are cracking up at this. <br /><br />None of your failed points holds weight against the reality that you can graduate from any University and get a job. <br /><br />Case in point---on any job description does it say "Must have a degree from X University?" Nope. It doesn't. Nor can you disqualify anyone for going to, oh let's say, HES. <br /><br />"We are quick to disqualify those who do not meet a benchmark for education." We are talking GPA and NOT the University's name. *Face palm* And if you are admitting that you have disqualified people simple because of the "name" of the University....oh honey..you have some lawsuits ahead if someone blows the whistle.<br /><br />It is cute that you tried to validate your own biases and form them into facts--but you have miserably failed. Your reality is merely your own biases, which is fine. But the truth is that NO...ONE...CARES...... <br /><br />Sorry guys. <br /><br />Case dismissed. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-7558616934782038042016-03-26T20:32:28.862-05:002016-03-26T20:32:28.862-05:00To Anonymous: You are patently wrong. I work as a ...To Anonymous: You are patently wrong. I work as a Special Assistant to the President at a university in New York. I serve on several committees for recruiting, hiring, vetting candidates to fill diverse positions, from academic to administrative to corporate/HR to legal to facilitative, on campus. We most certainly look at where the candidate received his or her academic degrees as well as previous professional experience. In fact, for some positions for which we receive a surplus of applicants, we are quick to disqualify those who do not meet a benchmark for education, such as holding degrees from an Ivy League or top ten school. We prefer to fill our vacancies with the best possible candidates, and educational background is one important way we determine this. It may sound elitist, exclusive, snobbish even, but that's the way it is. Sadly, we would not consider a degree from Harvard Extension School to have as much cache or import as a degree from Harvard proper. Again, just the way it is. We know what an Harvard Extension School Degree is...and what it isn't. So while your company may not give weight to educational background in its hiring practices, I must respectfully disagree that this is the case at every place of work or every institution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-27609874350643554062016-03-10T18:45:53.343-05:002016-03-10T18:45:53.343-05:00Ti the last post by Anonymous:
People do care. Yo...Ti the last post by Anonymous: <br />People do care. Your HR experience is not everyone's. Employers/HR people/managers do care about an Industrial Design degree from RISD or Auburn or an BS in an Engineering discipline form MIT, Stanford, Cal Tech or Carnegie Mellon. Ian has done a service here without being elitist. True enough that not ALL care that much, and also true is that the school is not the only thing to consider. Why do people choose Tylenol instead of store-brand acetaminophen at half the price despite having the same active ingredients? People decide to trust the Tylenol brand more. People don't usually read the reviews to find out if there is a basis for this choice. However, people are aware of the work and dedication needed to get into one of these schools and complete a course of study. You talk like you live in the real world, but to deny the effect of the (mostly earned) reputation (i.e. brand value) of these institutions is to deny the behavior and inclinations of most of the people in our society.<br /><br />Nice work on the merits of Thomas Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00862401972619076244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-18693981026649518882016-02-12T00:41:24.241-05:002016-02-12T00:41:24.241-05:00To the last comment above:
I work in Human Resour...To the last comment above:<br /><br />I work in Human Resources. Staffing & Recruiting to be exact. I have worked for many employers and guess what.....NOBODY CARES. We barely look at the university the candidate has attended. And when we do look at it, it is when we are confirming if they have attended the school or not(background check). <br /><br />It doesn't matter if it says HES, Harvard College or Piggley Wiggely U. A degree is a degree. People will always split hairs of anyone's accomplishments. Even the students who beat thousands of others who's done well in high school gets accused of "sliding in" because their families affiliation with the University. <br /><br />I plan on going to Harvard Extension for my certificate and eventually my second masters. And guess what? I will be a student, a Harvard Student and most of all.......an adult who decided to further her education. <br /><br />No one cares about the name. Take it from the people who actually work in HR and who are sourcing resumes for a living. Take my word. Harvard is Harvard. A degree is a degree. <br /><br />We want experience and good people. It goes deeper than the resume. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-1414156918150482482015-10-13T07:04:12.640-05:002015-10-13T07:04:12.640-05:00The reality is that how prestigious a degree or ce...The reality is that how prestigious a degree or certificate from Harvard Extension depends entirely on the point of view of who is looking at your resume. Most people have absolutely no idea what the Extension School is, they don’t even know that Harvard is composed of several different schools, all they know is that Harvard is good as hell, expensive, selective and you have attended this “exclusive” school. <br /><br />I’ve learned that trying to explain to anyone that doesn’t know HES that this school is somewhat different, but it is still Harvard, does more damage than good. You come off as trying to justify something for a reason they don’t understand and in the end they might think what you’re saying then is that you didn’t really go to Harvard. Other people, on the other hand, especially associated with the academia or employers in the Boston area know the difference pretty well and that might go either way: they like you because they know how good the Extension School actually is or they deem you a “fake”, trying to “pretend” you went to Harvard.<br /><br />I would definitely not compare any degree or certificate at the Extension School with engineering from any place, even foreign schools. If you are an engineer, you are a different class of “worker” and it doesn’t matter much where you went to school, if it was Univ of Illinois, UCLA or a school in India. Unless you went to an Ivy League, Stanford or the MIT, all engineering degrees are treated equal. <br /><br />Harvard Extension does not attract attention from recruiters, it’s worth mentioning. For the record, McKinsey, elitist as they are, would never hire a Harvard Extension graduate – they know the difference! The same is true for all the other consulting firms and banks that “like to prey” on Ivy League students. Like I said, for employers that know the difference between HES and the “rest” of Harvard, the effect is way worse than the reality, they think HES is “fake Harvard”. <br /><br />Guinevere<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-18212326441734531042015-10-11T18:23:32.250-05:002015-10-11T18:23:32.250-05:00Can someone here be honest about something? Isn...Can someone here be honest about something? Isn't any degree or certificate from the Extension school, more *prestigious* than the very top depts from a public university, like Materials & Polymer Science at UMass or Electronics Engineering at Univ of Illinois? <br /><br />I mean let's get real here... even the best low cost state unis, with top depts with minimal grade inflation, do not attract attention from recruiters in areas like consulting or financial services over any program at Harvard. The reality of the situation is that many students at the *real* Harvard (Arts & Sciences, JFK, etc), won't have it easy at many of these places but the general insular nature of the Harvard environs, protects students from seeing the realities of the world around them.<br /><br />Harvard University, on the whole, is not out to flunk people. If one does the work, one gets through, and perhaps, gets a chance to interview at McKinsey during his one's exiting period. There are many places out there, where ppl basically flunk out during the 1st two years but then, even those who get through, aren't on the interview list for Morgan & Stanley w/o some connections from friends already there. <br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-54909479393038438872015-06-23T11:38:56.089-05:002015-06-23T11:38:56.089-05:00Just found this post now, very good information an...Just found this post now, very good information and a pleasure to read.I remember your name. I started my MLA degree in 2002 and graduated in 2008, History of Art and Architecture. Since then I have been working at Ingbretson Studios,(,at an atelier training in the Boston School of Painting, a Boston developed formal realism painting style that has endured for over 100 years. Think the Guild of Boston Artists in Newbury Street in Boston, Ma. I am not sure what I will do next, I may just paint and sell at galleries in a bigger way, add some private teaching of students, or teach at an arts college. Traditional academic/atelier training is a hot brand of art training today and I am glad to have it under my belt in addition to the Harvard Extension School's MLA.<br />Best wishes to you, I enjoyed your blog post!!!<br />Sandra Galda<br />sandragalda.blogspot.com <br />sgalda@aol.comSandra Galdahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15569976623389281955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-43074168145013889792013-10-05T12:12:16.378-05:002013-10-05T12:12:16.378-05:00Anonymous international student:
I cannot shed an...Anonymous international student:<br /><br />I cannot shed any light on visa issues. What you need to do is pick up the phone and call the Extension School to ask their advice. <br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />IanI Lamonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14681877739319223934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-91467078254575962352013-10-05T11:16:21.725-05:002013-10-05T11:16:21.725-05:00Hi, i am an international student and i would like...Hi, i am an international student and i would like to take the biotechnology masters course in harvard extension. But i read that they do not offer I-20 for the F1 visa. However, the summer school offers it. I would like to enroll as a full-time student in harvard extension. So pls provide me any guideline regarding this, as whether it will be good to first enroll in harvard summer school and then into the extension school??? I couldn't find any information in the net regarding this. Kindly throw some light in this matter, so that i could get a clear idea whether i would be issued a visa or not?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-74249465503271427832013-03-21T15:45:18.842-05:002013-03-21T15:45:18.842-05:00To the last anonymous poster asking about an HES d...To the last anonymous poster asking about an HES degree as a precursor to law school:<br /><br />Assuming that conventional four-year colleges are out of the question, I believe that the HES ALB (undergraduate degree) is a fine alternative, with a few caveats:<br /><br />* Government/legal-related courses should be taken in person. I would also advise taking as many seminars in person as possible -- these are opportunities to get to personally know great professors and practice debate and arguments in a real-world environment <br />* The time to complete the degree may take longer than four years. It depends on your son's capacity, what courses are offered each semester, and restrictions/prerequisites.<br />* Your son should talk with an HES administrator or counselor as soon as possible, to better understand the environment and requirements for an ALB degree.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />IanI Lamonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14681877739319223934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-1823667949488279982013-03-21T15:21:47.790-05:002013-03-21T15:21:47.790-05:00I am considering this for my son. He ultimately wa...I am considering this for my son. He ultimately wants to get a law degree. Is this a good option or should he go with a traditional program?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-86681133280469533092011-03-17T11:30:16.092-05:002011-03-17T11:30:16.092-05:00Hii...although I have read so much, I still feel I...Hii...although I have read so much, I still feel I know nothing on the issue.<br />I am gonna be a graduate of Bachelor of Business Administration.I get more than 9 GPA(Our system is not on 4 CGPA but 10)<br />I would continue full time MBA here.Harvard Extension School had interested me with its offering and I'd thought of doing it along with my full-time degree here.<br />But I would definitely want to know if it will look good on my resume and what's the acceptance for it<br /><br />I not only consider name of Harvard on degree but also learning from Harvard faculty.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03693581441801034402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-53672193118618774092010-07-16T05:30:26.751-05:002010-07-16T05:30:26.751-05:00To the last anonymous commenter who had a question...To the last anonymous commenter who had a question about biology: Thanks for the question. Some people more knowledgeable than me have some answers <a href="http://extensionstudent.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=2036&page=1#Item_6" rel="nofollow">on this comment thread on ExtensionStudent.com</a>.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />IanI Lamonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14681877739319223934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-10614943372388023902010-07-11T10:52:44.392-05:002010-07-11T10:52:44.392-05:00Hi Ian! your blog is very informative! I am a med ...Hi Ian! your blog is very informative! I am a med school graduate reviewing for my USMLEs and i am considering to take graduate couse in Biology to venture into research after passing my tests...would you recommend having one course each semester if I would working full time (40+hours/week)? or would 2 courses be manageable in Biology? can you give me an idea how demanding HES is? Im contemplating on taking 1 vs. 2 courses this sem. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-78745120728957172962010-01-28T11:34:47.981-05:002010-01-28T11:34:47.981-05:00Ian, thanks for responding. I know that an ALB is ...Ian, thanks for responding. I know that an ALB is not the ticket into medical school, that's why am studying for the MCAT. I will most certainly call HES to find out more information. Again, thank you for answering!Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-42711472753309537062010-01-28T06:47:30.098-05:002010-01-28T06:47:30.098-05:00Lee: Anyone who is able to complete the ALB will l...Lee: Anyone who is able to complete the ALB will look presentable to an employer. It requires a great deal of dedication, academic skills, and intellectual curiosity.<br /><br />An ALB is not a guarantee of admission into medical school. That said, ALB grads have gone onto medical school in the United States over the years. As you know the bar is high and stellar grades, MCATs, and other factors come into play. <br /><br />I suggest you contact the ALB office directly to ask these questions, and also see about how many of your community college credits would transfer.<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />IanI Lamonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14681877739319223934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-87516119789058136552010-01-27T20:28:01.113-05:002010-01-27T20:28:01.113-05:00Hi, I'm actually seeking some advice regarding...Hi, I'm actually seeking some advice regarding Harvard's Extension School. I don't know if you (the owner of this blog) can answer my question, or if you could direct me to someone who could, but I'm 24 y/o, a nontraditional student (had to work a few years), recently got my Associates in Science from my local community college (graduated magna cum laude), and am presently studying for the MCAT. My goal is ultimately to go to medical school, but I need to complete a bachelors degree. I applied to several schools for transfer last year, but got rejected. I will try to apply for transfer again, but I'm looking at the HES as a possible way to obtain my bachelors degree in case I do not get accepted by any university/college. I'm just wondering, considering my situation, if that's the best route for me? Would an ALB look presentable to medical school or any employer? <br /><br />It seems that this post hasn't had any recent comments, but I hope I could get some advice, if possible. Thanks in advance if you do answer!Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13100649.post-82590416919680816252009-06-30T01:57:09.488-05:002009-06-30T01:57:09.488-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com