Hi everyone,
Just finished my first semester so I thought i would share with you some info..
Best place to find housing check craigslist. The closer you live to campus, the more expensive it tends to get. Most people live off of T stations. Check Porter Square and Central square. Check for NO FEE apartments and really set a budget thats in your range. I live about a mile away from campus, I have a bus stop right in front of my apartment complex (literally!), and all my utilities are paid for (cable, water, gas, internet, laundry.. the works.) So really look for deals. If you're moving from far away like Cali (i did) set up appointments at places then plan a trip, take a look, then sign a lease. Most people start looking in July because people move out in June/ leases end. (I came in August and moved in Sept in time for class)
Classes are in the evening (lecture). So unless you drive, its best to walk, take the T (subway). (Or bus.) And if you do drive, there is a harvard parking structure its called broadway. Its near the science center so its a close walk. Parking for the entire year is $50 and you can use it after 5pm on the weekdays and weekends. Google harvard parking and you'll find the evening commuter info.
Some classes arrange for "afternoon" sections. Like Chem for example. I had my section and lab wednesday mornings from 9-12. I found it more convenient that having to stay until 11pm doing lab. Although most section time slots do run in the evenings and afternoons. Chem and Physics have 1 hour sections and 3 hour labs
Some people work. Some don't. Most think it is best to stay focused on getting good grades. The way I see it is I rather be in some debt with good grades rather than paying school off while working and getting horrible grades due to financial worries.
With that being said, for this year I was still "dependent." The max loan I got from the school in finaid was just over $5000ish. To add, I had to take out a private student loan, I went through Chase, for about $25k. Keep in mind that money had to cover housing, food, bills, insurance, etc.
If you are not a diploma candidate, you aren't offered school health insurance so you'll have to find it on your own. You also don't get an ID card.. not a big deal so don't fret.
Most people here are taking 2 classes per semester. Thats half time. So yes, you do have time to get a part-time job, volunteer, shadow. A 2nd year gave me advice to do that stuff your first year because 2nd year gets A LOT tougher/demanding.
Some people go ahead and take 3 glasses but unless you are super stellar, I wouldn't risk trying to rush this program.
So if you have any more q's just let me know. I hope this helps!
Although I didn't get into the Diploma program because I took one quarter of biology in a community college so, so long ago.
