Harvard Health Careers Program

[279994]

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I am trying to decide which post-bacc program is right from here and would love to hear what people on here think.

I am deciding whether to begin post-bacc classes through Harvard’s Health Career Program this fall (in two weeks!) or to remain in DC and apply for a post-bacc program here beginning next summer (American or UMD – I was rejected from Georgetown). I would prefer to stay in DC, but can’t decide if I am missing a great opportunity to start classes sooner and through a well-regarded program. I’m also worried,though, that the Harvard program will punishingly difficult.

Any comments on the HES Health Careers Program would be much appreciated!

 

[njbmd]

You need to start your program in the location where you can do your best work. If you are happy in the DC area, moving to another location is not going to make much (if any) difference in you gaining acceptance into medical school. You NEED to do excellent work no matter which program you choose.

All of the programs that you have looked at are fine. Paying for and moving for the Harvard "name" isn't going to be of huge significance if you do poorly in that program. Since you are doing "damage control", you need the best grades that you can achieve under the best of circumstances. American and UMD are not substandard post bacc programs and have assisted students in gaining admission into medical school if they do well in these programs.

Perceived "name" is not that important. Your performance level is very important. If you are settled in the DC area, picking up and leaving for a program in a city where you are unfamiliar may not produce the best results and you need excellent results.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Your performance level is very important.

Well said. I just finished the HCP at Harvard Extension this past spring and can say that it was a fantastic grouping of professors who are passionate about teaching and very good at it (the exception being Physics (though the demonstrations were phenomenal)). Overall, I wouldn't say that it was punishingly difficult, but the expectations will require you to hold yourself to a very high standard.

I found the cohort of students to be phenomenal and would do it again in an instant. The price is right and the education is top-notch. I walked away from piecemeal classes at a state university because the difference in quality was so stark. That being said, I think you might find excellence at any post-bacc. Your peers are far more motivated than they ever were in undergrad. As an aside, and perhaps a drawback, class size is LARGE with well over 150 students in lecture.

Keep in mind, however, that it's not a formal post-bacc. It's open enrollment in the Extension School (continuing ed). You'll take classes a la carte, but with generally the same group of students for the two years of study. Like I said, I'd do it again and came away very prepared for the MCAT and with great recommendations.

Hope this helps.

 

[Moki]

I agree wholeheartedly with both of the above posts. Although HES is a wonderful experience, I would not recommend that you relocate if you are happy and established in DC. There are great DC programs - you can accomplish what you need to in order to gain entrance to med school where you are. The Harvard name will not do that in and of itself.

Good luck.

 

[MHenry]

how difficult is punishingly difficult?

 

[CookDeRosa]

I am trying to decide which post-bacc program is right from here and would love to hear what people on here think.

I am deciding whether to begin post-bacc classes through Harvard’s Health Career Program this fall (in two weeks!) or to remain in DC and apply for a post-bacc program here beginning next summer (American or UMD – I was rejected from Georgetown). I would prefer to stay in DC, but can’t decide if I am missing a great opportunity to start classes sooner and through a well-regarded program. I’m also worried,though, that the Harvard program will punishingly difficult.

Any comments on the HES Health Careers Program would be much appreciated!

Two years ago I started a master's program through HES (psychology) and while it wasn't right for me, it was FANTASTIC. Seriously, fantastic. If I had any chance of getting to Cambridge to do the HCP I'd do it in a heartbeat. I still say I'll go back one day and finish that (or another) degree through the Extension school. Top notch.

 

[Lacheln]

I did HES as well, and although I loved it, I wouldn't recommend moving just for HES. Don't think of it as "Harvard", because it really isn't, at least in the prestige sense. Think of it as any other high quality a la carte program with advising available, that is also very affordable - if there's nothing like that in DC then maybe it's worth considering.

Oops, didn't realize this was an old thread.

Anyway, re most recent question - I definitely wouldn't call it punishingly difficult. They provide help via office hours, small group sessions, and many students form study groups. It takes some work to get A's, but it's by no means unusual for people to do well.

 

[robot monkey]

I stumbled across this forum while trying to look up different post bach premed programs. I have been a teaching high school and out of the academic world for about 7 years. I am an older student 36 and want a massive career change. How doable do you guys think it is for me to survive at HES program. Also, I am wondering what is the difference and benefits of going to the HES program as opposed to city/state schools.

-I also read on the HES program that they give sponsorships, but what does this actually mean.

- i am currently taking a intro bio, precal class. does anyone think i should some other "prepatory" classes before springboarding into hard sciences?

 

[Dangling Star]

Hi Everyone!!

I'm a new member here and am very happy to have come across this support network! I literally just graduated college and am in the process of sending out applications to some pre-med programs. I had my heart set on Harvard Health Careers Program (application not yet submitted) for a number of reasons, but reading through some threads, have gotten very discouraged and sad.

For some reason I thought practically everyone got into the program, but apparently that's not the case. Long story short, I attended an elite liberal arts college and graduated with a 2.7 science gpa (freshmen & sophomore...you already know) and a 3.4 cumulative gpa. I am a hundred percent capable of excelling in science courses (as I have this past senior year), but I am soooo scared my overall low science gpa will not get me accepted into the program.

Please give me your honest advice, I would really really appreciate it.