HES vs. State school. Retaking classes?

[CoolRunnings]

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I still have to take Organic 2 and Bio. 2, and am going to do so at a post-bacc. program (just graduated from Emory). I would also like to take biochem. and another upper level bio. class. I will then study for and take the MCAT in the spring and apply in summer 2010.

I can either do my post-bacc. at the Harvard Extension School, or a public school in my home state (FSU). The first option is obviously a little more prestigious, but would cost a lot more. If I were to go to FSU I would live rent free and would not be pressured to find a paying job (I could focus on finding a job that would best bolster my application). This option would save me about $16,000 for the year in rent/food/tuition. Basically, my question is does the prestige factor matter in this case, or would it be more wise to take the free tuition and focus on ECs (the assumption being I will get A's in all my classes...). Additionally, at FSU I wouldn't have the pressure to make money so I could probably also focus more on schoolwork. I really need to get straight As. I could also take Orgo 2 and Bio 2 in the fall at FSU and therefore have more free time to study for the MCAT in the spring.

Also, someone told me I might consider retaking Organic 1 (as I got a B-), and maybe Biology 1 (got a B) for MCAT purposes as well as continuity when I take the 2nd class in the sequence. But then another advisor has told me not to worry about retaking them, and instead take more advanced bio/chem. classes to show med. schools I can handle the material (rather than retaking). If I were to retake all these I could do a 2 year post-bacc. program and boost my gpa up to above a 3.6 and get a lot more good experiences, but at the expense of a whole year. At the age of 23, I'm not sure I want to do that, but if it would make the difference between a good application and a great application then I may be willing.

Thanks

 

[NewmansOwn]

Go to your state school. I cannot think of a single reason HES would be a better choice. Indeed, in your situation, it seems it would be a worse choice in every way.

HES is great at prepping students for med school...but we're talking about classes at HES -- not an undergraduate degree from Harvard.

 

[CoolRunnings]

Thanks for the input. There are 2 reasons I can think of that HES would be better.

1. Classes from there may be more "respected" than classes from FSU (assuming I get the same grades at both places).

2. More availabillity of research positions/clinical opportunities in Boston, although I'd be forced to get a paid position so I would be less flexible.

Thanks

 

[NewmansOwn]

Well, as I said, HES is not Harvard. While HES is great for prereqs and you are often taught by Harvard professors, it does not carry the prestige of a Harvard undergraduate degree. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't matter where you take your prereqs. Any university will do, because you'll almost always be taught the same material. Your performance on the MCAT is, I'd say, 70% your own mental fortitude and intellect, 25% how hard you're willing to work, and only about 5% the quality of your courses -- everyone learns from the review books, anyway.

As far as research goes, there are several distinguished HES students and alumni on this forum that could speak to opportunities better than I. Frankly, I don't think research opportunities at an extension school will be any better than at a large state-sponsored university.

Good luck.

 

[Allopathic13]

Hey coolrunnings,
I have to agree with Newmans here. I am an HES Alum of the health careers program and am currently working on an ALM in Biology. If you are just retaking classes then you can do it anywhere. HES will not net you anymore prestige for that objective. The actual program, the HCP, is respected, but BM, Scripps, and Goucher provide better opportunities. Further, the only program that will really net you the respect of a Harvard degree is the ALM(Masters of Liberal Arts) at HES because of its intensive thesis project, which is needed for completion. Although, this is a 2-3 year program and dosen't seem right for what your looking to do. Further, if you are just taking a few a la carte classes at HES you wont even be given an ID, so if being a "Harvard student" is one of your motivations then you would certainly have to enroll in an actual degree or diploma granting program. So, I think for your goals FSU would be the more economical choice. However, if you truly want to experience Harvard, albeit as a non-degree affiliate, then HES would be suitable.

Best of Luck!

 

[Allopathic13]

Also, concerning research--- the HCP does not offer much in the way of that. The ALM does but once again that is a three year path.

Newmans said that HES is not Harvard, and I do agree with that to an extent. I would say more accurately, the non diploma portion of the Health Careers Program at HES is not Harvard in the purest sense. I think you would find many people in the ALB and ALM harvard degree programs who would make a strong case for their Harvard status. It's is just semantics but i thought I'd throw it in.


🙂

 

[NewmansOwn]

Also, concerning research--- the HCP does not offer much in the way of that. The ALM does but once again that is a three year path.

Newmans said that HES is not Harvard, and I do agree with that to an extent. I would say more accurately, the non diploma portion of the Health Careers Program at HES is not Harvard in the purest sense. I think you would find many people in the ALB and ALM harvard degree programs who would make a strong case for their Harvard status. It's is just semantics but i thought I'd throw it in.


🙂

Absolutely.

Apologies if I came off as dismissive of HES -- glad you chimed in with the details. I just didn't want the OP to get excited and tattoo "Veritas" on his forehead.

 

[Allopathic13]

I certainly understand and agree.