HES vs. Health Careers Program

[sabi83]

Ok, so I received a ridiculously fast respone from the Harvard Health Careers Program and I got in, but the letter I received stated a proviso that requires me to have an MCAT score of above 30 to be sponsored after I take their classes....now, is there a difference between open classes at HES and the Health Careers Program? Does everyone get into the Program as well?

And if so, why is it at such a low cost compared to other postbacc programs? And if everyone gets in, are the classes huge? I mean there has to be a limit right?

i'm a lil confused to whether or not i'm about to be ripped off, so does anyone have answers?

thanx a bunch

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[Sundarban1]

Hi,

I was also accepted to HES.

....now, is there a difference between open classes at HES and the Health Careers Program? Does everyone get into the Program as well?

The extension school is just that. Anyone can take their pre-reqs there. The careers program is the same place, same classes, but a fancy way of saying "hey I applied so I can get sponsorship from the advisors at HES." You can also qualify for the certificate program if you have never taken pre-reqs before.

And if so, why is it at such a low cost compared to other postbacc programs? And if everyone gets in, are the classes huge? I mean there has to be a limit right?

The cost is low because you are not taking classes with undergraduates, therefore not paying the same tuition. In addition there are so many people in the program you really have to fight for attention at the beginning.There is NO enrollment limit. Class sizes (total) start around 500 in the fall (200/class) and slowly but surely dwindles down to 200 at the end, hence the high attition rate everyone talks about.

Basically you are not being ripped off and if you can do well you will make out in the end. Check out the 2004/5 HES threads they are very helpful and will answer most of your questions. PM me if you want.

 

[jays2cool4u]

Is there a difference between open class at HES and the Health Careers Program?

Only difference between taking classes in HES vs. the Health Careers program is a committee letter. Health Careers kids and the students taking classes a la carte in HES are in the same exact classes. If you meet all the provisional requirements that were stated in the letter ( 32 credits, gpa > 3.0, 30 MCAT) then Fixsen and Peterson will come up with a composite letter for you to go along with your AMCAS. You can still take classes a la carte at HES and get recommendations from all the professor but you will NOT receive a committee letter. By the way, the Health Careers Program is in HES.

Does everyone get in?

I never heard of anyone getting rejected. "Listen, you want to come here and take the classes then fine. I'm not going to crush your med. school dreams." - William Fixsen

Why is it at such a low cost compared to other postbacc programs?

HES is a composite of different departments besides this pre-medical postbac program. Fixsen told me that long ago before I was born, well hell, before my grandparents were born that Harvard and the City of Cambridge developed this love-hate relationship. Harvard was consuming a lot of the real estate and land in Cambridge to make its university bigger and better. The City of Cambridge felt it was unfair to the common buyer as they could not compete, obviously, with a university that could pay x10 for a crappy piece property. So, to give back to the community Harvard set up the "Harvard Extension School" so that the people of Cambridge could also get a world class ed-u-ma-k-tion, just like the Harvard college students, for a third of the price. Contrary to popular belief, HES was not erected as a means to get desperate premeds into medical school.

If everyone gets in, are the classes huge?

Yes, just like any other Division 1 school in America. Undergrad classes are always huge. 150+

Is there a limit?

No! Fixsen isn't dumb. Its an easy way for HES to make a quick $100 along with $800 for each class. If you do well enough in the classes to get your committee letter then great, Fixsen writes you the letter and the integrity of the program is still intact. If you don't do will enough in the program to get a committee letter then great, Fixsen doesn't write you the letter and the integrity of the program is still intact. Either way, HES still made some money without jeopardizing anything.

Hope this helps.

Jays2Cool4u 😎