OK, time for us to pass on our wisdom to the next generation. Here is my shot at a FAQ.
Harvard Health Careers Program official website:
http://www.extension.harvard.edu/hcp/
What pre-health programs does Harvard Extension School (HES) offer?
There are essentially three levels of involvement for post-bacc students:
- HES do-it-yourself. The courses you will take at HES generally are open enrollment. No need to apply, just register, pay, and show up. Go ahead and take whatever courses you lack. If you are handling the med school admissions process yourself or through your undergrad school, this makes the most sense, and this is what most people do.
- Health Careers Program (HCP). You have to apply for acceptance, but getting in is straightforward and easy if your academic record is good, and still possible even if it is not. You pay a fee, and upon your fulfilling the requirements, the program officially sponsors you, which primarily includes writing a composite letter of recommendation. HCP students are otherwise no different from other HES students.
- Diploma. HCP students who have never taken any of the four core sciences (biology, physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry) can additionally enroll in the diploma program, which grants a diploma upon completion. The principal purpose of this is as a loophole to allow some students to have the official status of in a degree or certificate program, which scores you a Harvard ID, various university privileges, possibly certain tax advantages, etc.
What does it cost?
Not much. Currently a 4-credit single-semester course costs $900 for core sciences with labs or $700 for advanced courses. Summer courses are much more.
What courses will I take?
Whatever you need. Unless you have already taken them, you will need, before applying to medical school, at least the four core science courses:
- Physics
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biology
Each of these is two semesters long and has a lab included within the course.
Those applying to, say, nursing school, may need less. Those with poor academic records seeking a higher GPA may choose to retake any of these, or to take
advanced courses. Biochemistry is a common choice for the glide year before med school, and there are several advanced biology courses to choose from, such as genetics, neurobiology, and immunology.
What are the prerequisites?
Check the course description and syllabus for the official word. Generally HES will do nothing to prevent you from enrolling in a course, and it is up to you to decide whether you are truly prepared. Here are some guidelines for core sciences:
- Gen Chem Just algebra.
- Physics Your algebra and trig should be strong. Calculus is NOT necessary.
- Orgo Gen Chem minus the math.
- Biology First semester is chemistry-intensive, so Gen Chem is a huge help. Second semester, not so much, and is relatively independent.
What about summer school?
http://www.summer.harvard.edu/
Each of the core science courses is offered as an intensive summer course through Harvard Summer School (not HES). For example, chem-s1 is a single eight-week course equivalent to two semesters of general chemistry; it is offered in the daytime, and is taken by roughly equal portions of high school students, undergrads, and post-baccs. You pay quite a bit more (currently $4550, versus $1800 for two semesters at HES). You also get a Harvard ID and may be eligible for on-campus summer housing. Biochemistry and a few other single-semester advanced biology courses are offered at night over the same period (currently $2275 each). Summer courses are equivalent to HES courses for purposes of the HCP and the diploma program.
What order should I take my courses?
As for the core sciences, it is strongly recommended that general chemistry precede organic chemistry and biology. Therefore, most career-changing pre-meds follow a two-year plan:
- Physics, Gen Chem
- Biology, Orgo
That much is sufficient to take the MCAT and begin applying to med school. Those needing, say, Calculus or English, should be able to take them during the glide year.
If youre a real gunner with no need for employment, or if youve already taken any of the core sciences, you may also consider a one-year plan, such as either of these:
- summer Gen Chem; then Physics, Bio, & Orgo
- Gen Chem, Physics, & Bio; then summer Orgo and a late MCAT
Core sciences are generally scheduled to allow this. The one thing you cant do is take general and organic chemistry at the same time.
On the other hand, many students work full-time and take just one course at a time over a period of several years.
A good rule of thumb is that each core science (with lab) will demand about 15-20 hrs/wk for a strong student, so it would be dangerous to attempt more than three at once, or two with a part-time job, or one with a full-time job. Many full-time students have their hands full with just two core sciences.
When are classes?
Check the
online catalog. Not counting summer courses, core sciences are all at night, with lectures currently 6-9 or 7:35-9:35. Besides exams, only labs are mandatory attendance, with times around 7:30 available. Labs, discussion sections, and reviews offer multiple options in most of these classes, often including night, afternoon, and weekend offerings.
Who will my classmates be?
Aside from summer courses, HES pre-med classes are mostly taken by post-bacc students. Class sizes for core sciences are typically over two hundred, though advanced courses are much smaller. A majority of the students are in their mid 20s and are working, but there is plenty of diversity.
What is the attrition rate?
Easy come, easy go. Open enrollment welcomes many who just want to take the first steps toward medicine without committing to a formal post-bacc program, and many soon decide that it is not for them. Many are also surprised by the difficulty and intensity of courses (it is Harvard, after all). Within the HCP, though, attrition is considerably lower.
Are there linkages to medical schools?
No.
What access do students have to facilities?
Generally, HES students can go wherever the tourists can go, plus certain libraries. To enter Cabot library in the science center you must present your HES registration form. You can also request access to the reading room (but not the stacks) at Widener, and can enter some libraries (e.g. Lamont) as a guest of someone else with a Harvard ID.
Those with a Harvard ID, including diploma candidates, summer students, and Harvard-affiliated employees, can not only enter all the libraries, but check out books too, and can even use the gyms.
All registered students can get a computer network logon and an email account (so you can join the Harvard network on Facebook!).
Pre-meds tend to congregate in Cabot library, or generally anywhere in the science center, which is open all hours.
If I move there, where should I live?
You will have to find a place yourself, so start checking craigslist and studentdoctor.net or find a good realtor. Expect urban prices. Most people recommend leaving your car behind and relying on public transportation, i.e., the T or
MBTA, so a good choice, besides the vicinity of Harvards main campus, would be anywhere convenient to the
red line (which would
not include Brookline or Harvard Medical School).
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