Comments on: Why I Chose Harvard Extension to Complete My Undergraduate Degree http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/ Random Thoughts from a Computer Science Student... Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:15:40 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-3/#comment-35506 richard Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:29:43 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35506 Howard, I'm not sure about the ALM-Finance. I did computer science. Sorry. Howard,

I’m not sure about the ALM-Finance. I did computer science. Sorry.

]]> By: Howard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35505 Howard Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:43:44 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35505 I plan on going for the ALM-Management degree with a concentration in finance. Can I apply for summer internships with this degree? Is it realistic to assume that this degree will adequately prepare me for a career in finance? I want to work for a company like Goldman Sachs someday. Is this degree comparable to a MS in Finance? I plan on going for the ALM-Management degree with a concentration in finance.
Can I apply for summer internships with this degree? Is it realistic to assume that this degree will adequately prepare me for a career in finance? I want to work for a company like Goldman Sachs someday. Is this degree comparable to a MS in Finance?

]]> By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35503 richard Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:45:51 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35503 Dorcas, You can take individual classes on-line but to earn a degree, there are some classes that you can only take on-campus. Right now, you need to take four classes on-campus in order to earn the degree. Dorcas,

You can take individual classes on-line but to earn a degree, there are some classes that you can only take on-campus. Right now, you need to take four classes on-campus in order to earn the degree.

]]> By: Dorcas http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35501 Dorcas Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:17:28 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35501 hello Richard, I am in ghana and would like to persue undergraduate cause ,but am comfuse .i want to do it on line.Does it mean i have to do both onsite andon line? hello Richard,
I am in ghana and would like to persue undergraduate cause ,but am comfuse .i want to do it on line.Does it mean i have to do both onsite andon line?

]]> By: Jamison http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35476 Jamison Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:13:30 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35476 For those who want to live in the Boston-Cambridge area, look at Craigslist and in particular, I recommend sharing rooms in Arlington MA. There's a bus, No 77, which runs every 10-15 min up and down Mass Ave to Harvard Sq from Arlington Heights. From the point of view of both convenience and safety, this is the place to be, as Cambridge housing is relatively sparse and same goes for Davis to Union Sqs in Somerville. For those who want to live in the Boston-Cambridge area, look at Craigslist and in particular, I recommend sharing rooms in Arlington MA. There’s a bus, No 77, which runs every 10-15 min up and down Mass Ave to Harvard Sq from Arlington Heights. From the point of view of both convenience and safety, this is the place to be, as Cambridge housing is relatively sparse and same goes for Davis to Union Sqs in Somerville.

]]> By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35448 richard Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:57:54 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35448 Shawn, Of COURSE! There is nothing that compels you to live in on-campus housing during the summer term. You can make you own arrangements as you see fit. Shawn,

Of COURSE! There is nothing that compels you to live in on-campus housing during the summer term. You can make you own arrangements as you see fit.

]]> By: Shawn http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35446 Shawn Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:53:28 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35446 Are there off-campus living options? I noticed you can take the summer sessions to complete the on-campus requirements of the ALB. I live in Dallas, TX and spending a few weeks in Boston during the summer doesn't seem too bad. I just don't like the $4250 price tag they have for the on campus option. Are there off-campus living options? I noticed you can take the summer sessions to complete the on-campus requirements of the ALB. I live in Dallas, TX and spending a few weeks in Boston during the summer doesn’t seem too bad.

I just don’t like the $4250 price tag they have for the on campus option.

]]> By: Randy http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35437 Randy Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:06:28 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35437 There's some lack of comparison here, in the realm of prestige in academics. For example, in the midwest, very bright students would regularly turn down elite programs like Cornell and Carnegie-Mellon to attend the Univ of Illinois/UC for engineering. Now, from a Harvard College person's p.o.v., he might consider that person to be no different than a 'lowly' UConn or UMass attendant. Likewise, this snobbery spills over onto other Boston area private colleges like Tufts and Brandeis, who like the ivies, are trying to convince students not to attend their State U, in place of a higher *mark up* private college experience with the false notion that it's not what's in the person but his surroundings which make him a bright and effective individual. So as you can imagine, in a private college centric northeast, there's a lot of ambivalence about an Extension school, giving the keys to the kingdom to an outsider. What that does is give a public schooler (yes, it's a class system concept) the ability to take Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences courses (everyone knows this angle) and show to the Harvard faculty that he's just as capable as anyone else w/o playing the admissions game of being h.s. school Editor-In-Chief, winning some Westinghouse Award, or having a rich family with a hedge fund who can make multi-million dollar donations for a new building. In a sense, every private college loses when Harvard basically offers a more prestigious and palatable alternative to attending a UMass campus. I suspect that this ambivalence will continue unabated but at the same time, given the paucity in the number of actual HES degree attendants, it's not enough to shake the foundations of the educational maya which is the predominance of Harvard University. There’s some lack of comparison here, in the realm of prestige in academics. For example, in the midwest, very bright students would regularly turn down elite programs like Cornell and Carnegie-Mellon to attend the Univ of Illinois/UC for engineering. Now, from a Harvard College person’s p.o.v., he might consider that person to be no different than a ‘lowly’ UConn or UMass attendant. Likewise, this snobbery spills over onto other Boston area private colleges like Tufts and Brandeis, who like the ivies, are trying to convince students not to attend their State U, in place of a higher *mark up* private college experience with the false notion that it’s not what’s in the person but his surroundings which make him a bright and effective individual.

So as you can imagine, in a private college centric northeast, there’s a lot of ambivalence about an Extension school, giving the keys to the kingdom to an outsider. What that does is give a public schooler (yes, it’s a class system concept) the ability to take Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences courses (everyone knows this angle) and show to the Harvard faculty that he’s just as capable as anyone else w/o playing the admissions game of being h.s. school Editor-In-Chief, winning some Westinghouse Award, or having a rich family with a hedge fund who can make multi-million dollar donations for a new building. In a sense, every private college loses when Harvard basically offers a more prestigious and palatable alternative to attending a UMass campus. I suspect that this ambivalence will continue unabated but at the same time, given the paucity in the number of actual HES degree attendants, it’s not enough to shake the foundations of the educational maya which is the predominance of Harvard University.

]]> By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35429 richard Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:06:41 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35429 Faith, that depends. You need to really review the website and ask yourself if HES is really for you. Faith, that depends. You need to really review the website and ask yourself if HES is really for you.

]]> By: Faith http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35428 Faith Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:04:47 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35428 I am thinking of attending HES, but I have not had much time to really look at the website and figure out what degree I would like my degree in. My question is how long will it take for me to complete my undergraduate degree from HES? I am thinking of attending HES, but I have not had much time to really look at the website and figure out what degree I would like my degree in. My question is how long will it take for me to complete my undergraduate degree from HES?

]]> By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35419 richard Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:38:21 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35419 Jeff, E-207 is a difficult class. I took it with Salil Vadhan and he's an excellent teacher but there is a significant amount of materal to cover in the class and unless you are comfortable with proofs, it will definitely be a steep learning curve. E-124 is almost always taught by Mitzenmacher and is a real bear of a course. Algorithms is more difficult than Formal Systems. In both cases, you should have taken Discrete Mathematics and Data Structures before you attempt either of these courses. Hope this helps. Jeff,

E-207 is a difficult class. I took it with Salil Vadhan and he’s an excellent teacher but there is a significant amount of materal to cover in the class and unless you are comfortable with proofs, it will definitely be a steep learning curve.

E-124 is almost always taught by Mitzenmacher and is a real bear of a course. Algorithms is more difficult than Formal Systems.

In both cases, you should have taken Discrete Mathematics and Data Structures before you attempt either of these courses.

Hope this helps.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35417 Jeff Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:27:51 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35417 Hi Richard, I was wondering what you thought of CSCI E-207 Introduction to Formal Systems and Computation How much of a time sink was this class, and how was the difficulty compared to CSCI E-124? Hi Richard,

I was wondering what you thought of

CSCI E-207 Introduction to Formal Systems and Computation

How much of a time sink was this class, and how was the difficulty compared to CSCI E-124?

]]> By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35412 richard Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:42:23 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35412 There really isn't an ALM-Finance. It's an ALM-Management and you can take the Finance concentration once you're in that program. For one thing, that program track requires 48 credits. If you did it full time, it would take 3 semesters to complete. If you did it half-time (and you would be smart to do that because the classes are HARD), that bumps it up to 6 semesters. So you're already at 3 years. Then you have to deal with the fact that some courses are only offered on alternate years. All in all, you CAN do the program pretty quickly compared to the other ALM programs at HES but that almost never happens. Most people take longer to complete the degree. There really isn’t an ALM-Finance. It’s an ALM-Management and you can take the Finance concentration once you’re in that program.

For one thing, that program track requires 48 credits. If you did it full time, it would take 3 semesters to complete. If you did it half-time (and you would be smart to do that because the classes are HARD), that bumps it up to 6 semesters. So you’re already at 3 years.

Then you have to deal with the fact that some courses are only offered on alternate years.

All in all, you CAN do the program pretty quickly compared to the other ALM programs at HES but that almost never happens. Most people take longer to complete the degree.

]]> By: Tina http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35411 Tina Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:22:21 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35411 Richard, Thanks for your prompt response. Correct me if I'm wrong, like most master's programs' shouldn't ALM-Finance take at max 2 years to complete? Why do you say 5 years? Also, can I take those 3 prerequiste classes before obtaining a bachelor's degree? And you're right, it seems complicated already. :P Richard,
Thanks for your prompt response. Correct me if I’m wrong, like most master’s programs’ shouldn’t ALM-Finance take at max 2 years to complete? Why do you say 5 years?
Also, can I take those 3 prerequiste classes before obtaining a bachelor’s degree?

And you’re right, it seems complicated already. :P

]]> By: richard http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/comment-page-2/#comment-35409 richard Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:28:38 +0000 http://www.cluehq.com/blog/2008/03/28/why-i-chose-harvard-extension-to-complete-my-undergraduate-degree/#comment-35409 Tina, I'm not as familiar with the ALM-M (Master of Liberal Arts - Management) but generally speaking, the programs take about 5 years to complete. You will almost certainly have to move to Cambridge to complete the program. Most of the ALM-M courses aren't offered online and even if they were, HES doesn't like to have too much of the coursework completed at a distance. Generally speaking, you will probably have to take the three courses before applying, which means moving there, taking the courses, and THEN applying. Hey, if it was easy, it wouldn't be Harvard. Tina,

I’m not as familiar with the ALM-M (Master of Liberal Arts – Management) but generally speaking, the programs take about 5 years to complete. You will almost certainly have to move to Cambridge to complete the program. Most of the ALM-M courses aren’t offered online and even if they were, HES doesn’t like to have too much of the coursework completed at a distance.

Generally speaking, you will probably have to take the three courses before applying, which means moving there, taking the courses, and THEN applying.

Hey, if it was easy, it wouldn’t be Harvard.

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