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I heard last week that I was admitted to the diploma program. I still have a couple of other apps out but am leaning towards HES.

Glad to see some good reviews on this thread.

Have any newly accepted candidates been to the school to see an advisor, if so how did it go? I will be starting in the Fall, so I want to do a bit more research on my own but would like to go look around and ask some questions this spring or summer. Was curious as to how accessible the advisors are.

Also, are they able to help in getting good volunteer or research positions? I am planning on doing this over 2 years solely because I have no valuable volunteer experience yet. I am in NYC now and getting in to hospital programs here is tough. I'm hoping Harvard can help us out. . .
 
Couple of questions/comments in response to the last few postings

- To the people who have received "acceptance/sponsorhip".. you guys are applying for med school next summer, correct? I'm just wondering if I need to apply now (like you guys) or if I can wait till the fall (before their deadline) to apply for sponsorship. Does anyone know if they have a quota of students they sponsor? Will I not get sponsorship if I apply in August?

- Like some other people on this forum, I'm going to attempt the 1 yr track (G chem in summer, orgo/bio/phys in 09-10 academic year). If anyone has any questions about how I came to this decision, I'd be happy to answer them! =)

- I'd be interested in study groups as well as housing (but only looking for summer housing)

- I also heard that around 90% of sponsored students get accepted into medical/dental/vet school.

- I hear mixed reviews about people's experiences with HES, although, for the most part it seems like people are fairly happy about the standard of teaching and prep for med school/MCAT

Excited to finally get going on the classes this year (took me 3 years to pull the plug). looking forward to meeting you guys!
 
I heard last week that I was admitted to the diploma program. I still have a couple of other apps out but am leaning towards HES.

Glad to see some good reviews on this thread.

Have any newly accepted candidates been to the school to see an advisor, if so how did it go? I will be starting in the Fall, so I want to do a bit more research on my own but would like to go look around and ask some questions this spring or summer. Was curious as to how accessible the advisors are.

Also, are they able to help in getting good volunteer or research positions? I am planning on doing this over 2 years solely because I have no valuable volunteer experience yet. I am in NYC now and getting in to hospital programs here is tough. I'm hoping Harvard can help us out. . .

I haven't turned in my app yet, but when I spoke with Mr. Peterson, the other advisor, it sounded like they don't help their students get volunteer positions, jobs, etc. in the sense of calling places to see if there are positions open. However, I think they'd be more than willing to give you names of places where students have gotten experience in the past. There are tons of hospitals all over Boston/Boston area, so it shouldn't be hard. I'm in the same boat in terms of experience, but I'm not worried about getting at least a decent volunteer position somewhere in Boston.
 
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It's a buyer's market in Boston-- volunteering in ERs and stuff like that is pretty easy, just contact one of the 20 hospitals in the city, eg Mount Auburn, MGH, Brigham, BIDMC (they should all have volunteer websites). The Brigham has the most structured volunteer program, and it's right in the middle of Harvard Medical School. Same for research opps, just contact PIs directly (find their e-mail off the hms.harvard.edu website) and say you want to work with them. My PIs liked that I was a self-starter and that paid off big time, I think.
 
Hi guys,

I could use your help on this one.

I have a 2.95 undergrad GPA and a 24 MCAT. I've already taken all of my science prerequisites, i.e Bio, Orgo, gen Chem and Physics. Should I even bother applying to HES? Will I be granted sponsorship?
Also, I am planning on applying to Med school this year (D.O and M.D.) while looking to get into post-bacc programs. Will HES write a recommendation for this coming application cycle or do I have to wait an entire year before I'll be eligible>

Thanks for your help.
 
It's a buyer's market in Boston-- volunteering in ERs and stuff like that is pretty easy, just contact one of the 20 hospitals in the city, eg Mount Auburn, MGH, Brigham, BIDMC (they should all have volunteer websites). The Brigham has the most structured volunteer program, and it's right in the middle of Harvard Medical School. Same for research opps, just contact PIs directly (find their e-mail off the hms.harvard.edu website) and say you want to work with them. My PIs liked that I was a self-starter and that paid off big time, I think.

Good to know. Thanks for the reply (and same to TeoBDL). I'm looking forward to getting up there and getting started.
 
Hi guys,
I have a 2.95 undergrad GPA and a 24 MCAT. I've already taken all of my science prerequisites, i.e Bio, Orgo, gen Chem and Physics. Should I even bother applying to HES? Will I be granted sponsorship?
Also, I am planning on applying to Med school this year (D.O and M.D.) while looking to get into post-bacc programs. Will HES write a recommendation for this coming application cycle or do I have to wait an entire year before I'll be eligible>
Of course you have a chance! The purpose of the program, among many things, is to boost GPA.
Look at this page: http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2008-09/programs/hcp/sponsor/ .
If your undergraduate GPA was below 3.0, you must also score 30 or higher on the MCAT to be sponsored.
 
Of course you have a chance! The purpose of the program, among many things, is to boost GPA.
Look at this page: http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2008-09/programs/hcp/sponsor/ .
If your undergraduate GPA was below 3.0, you must also score 30 or higher on the MCAT to be sponsored.

Thanks for the response. So I have to score a 30 and take 28 plus credits. I wonder if HES even has enough upper level science courses for people who have taken previous science courses?
 
Two questions for current/former HES post-baccers out there ...

1) Does anyone do GChem/Phys/Bio during the Fall and Spring, and then OChem the following summer with an August MCAT? This would be full-time with no job and my only outside activity being volunteering/shadowing.

2) So the committee letter they put together aggregates feedback from all four professors? When applying to med school, is this generally the only LOR provided? Or would it make sense to also provide an LOR from an under prof? Volunteer program coordinator? etc.

Thanks!
 
Looking for a roommate for a beautiful 2 bdrm apartment for rent in Central Square (Cambridge). Only 5 minutes from the Red Line T Station and a 10-15 minute walk to Harvard Square. Surrounded by grocery stores, pharmacy, restaurants, etc. Rent is $800/month not including gas and electric. PM me if interested!
 
Hey Guys,
I just got my acceptance letter this weekend! I look forward to joining you in the FAll.

Does anyone know if we, the students doing a diploma in pre medical studies, get a Harvard ID?

And we dont have to pay a deposit right?


Thanks!
 
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HES states that "nonadmitted students are not eligible for finaid"...
You are a "nonadmitted student" if you are applying to HES, right?

How has everyone managed the costs of attending & living there?
 
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I'm interested in this program. I'm moving to Boston in about 3 months for my wife's work, and I feel pretty strongly it's time to take the plunge into medicine. What are the admission requirements? I have a 3.4 in computer engineering, a law degree, and I'm a practicing attorney. The only preqs I have are 1 semester of chem and 2 of physics. I need everything else. Actually, I should probably take everything again since it has been 10 years. Would they let me do that?
 
Hi,
But I have to apply for aid at the same time I apply for HCP right? At that time, I haven't been accepted.

They aren't going to give you money if your not accepted.... if you get offered a place, they will offer you money...if not, they won't

They can start processing your fin. aid app regardless of whether or not you're accepted
 
rob is correct.
for the fall term you must apply for financial aid, your FAFSA, by July 1


concerning the post on the gentleman who is moving to Boston. You are certainly qualified for the program. Entrance requirements are not that stringent, as such, the attrition rate is rather high. But the program helps to build strong connections and is really in the top 5 i'd say.

You should be admitted to the HCP, but since you have taken some of the pre reqs in undergrad you may not be eligible for the Diploma in Pre Medical Studies portion of the HCP. Thus, you wont receive an actual Harvard ID and some of the benefits of being a Harvard student. Those are generally reserved for DPM students. But, you could always request entrance into the DPM portion since it has been 10 years since those pre reqs were taken.

Best of Luck
 
For those of you starting in the fall, did you consider working another year, volunteering, and trying to get into a 1-year program with linkages like Goucher, Bryn Mawr, Scripps, etc.?

That's my biggest hurdle to committing to the HES program for 2009-2011 at the moment (as opposed to a 1-year program for 2010-2011). I'd really like to get started this fall, and if I would fail to link from the 1-year program, I think the 2-year HES program would make me a better applicant. However, the opportunity to link and get into med school a year earlier (2011 as opposed to 2012) is tempting.
 
Has anyone found housing for the Summer semester? I'm overseas right now but I will be returning in May and should be ready to jump into a house. If anyone's got anything available, give me the heads up. Thanks.
 
Hi again,

Thanks for the answers.

rob is correct.
for the fall term you must apply for financial aid, your FAFSA, by July 1

I remember words from a counselor that FAFSA aids you only if you're seeking a degree. Is that correct? Post-bacc is not a degree-granting program. I wonder if I'm eligible...
 
Thanks for the answers!
I'm looking into Post-bacc in order to boost GPA.
So this is how the finaid application goes, tell me if I'm right/wrong:
First, I should apply for the program, THEN apply for finaid as an "admitted candidate", correct? The question is: should I wait to hear their decision first?
 
Two questions for current/former HES post-baccers out there ...

1) Does anyone do GChem/Phys/Bio during the Fall and Spring, and then OChem the following summer with an August MCAT? This would be full-time with no job and my only outside activity being volunteering/shadowing.

I think a couple people may do this schedule, but it's rare. The most common schedule for people taking all 4 courses at the HES is year 1: chem/physics, year 2: orgo/bio. The next most common schedule is summer: chem, then physics/orgo/bio (this is what I'm doing right now). I have no personal experience with summer orgo, but I know I would not want to do it. The summer classes move fast, and in orgo, everything is cumulative - I think summer orgo would be pretty tough. Some people take it, and I'm sure some of them get an A; that class may be fine for you, but I can't say that I would recommend it.

Also, I'm glad I took gen chem before fall semester bio. Why not start the 1 year program in the summer with gen chem? Or if you have to start in the fall, why not do the 2 year program with more volunteer work or a part-time health-related job? I'm sure some people would be fine with your proposed schedule, and you may be one of them, but I know that I wouldn't want to do it. Regardless of what you decide on, you should talk to Dr. Fixsen or Owen Peterson about your schedule. Good luck!
 
How rigorous/demanding is the curriculum for those who already completed Premed courses and want to boost GPA ?
In addition to lectures, are you required to attend labs and/or recitations ?

PS: Could someone PLEASE help me with these Qs, too: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=616196 ?

Lab attendance is mandatory, discussion section and lecture attendance is not, but I recommend going to everything. Except maybe physics lecture... 🙂 The courses are rigorous, especially bio and orgo, but not impossible. If you work hard, and put in the time and effort, you can do well.

It sounds like you already took these classes somewhere else and didn't do that well. If that's the case, then prepare to work harder than you did in your previous attempt, but if you're motivated, I think you can do it.
 
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Your course sched. makes sense.
I will be taking bio/chem/phys. my first year then ochem/biochem/and calc my second

best of luck!
 
I took Biology without a lab in undergrad.. Would that preclude me from the diploma program? I assume it probably will. I've heard a few of your say that you took 1/4 of the course before dropping it and still wasn't allowed to take the course.
 
yes, unfortunately taking any of the pre reqs listed within the diploma program outside of Harvard University will disqualify your from DPM candidacy, at least technically. But, it couldn't hurt to call and see if there are any special circumstances that would allow you to enroll as DPM.
 
DPM, is called a diploma program, however, you do not technically receive a Harvard diploma, it is just a notation made on your Harvard transcripts.

DPM candidates also receive a Harvard photo ID, and access to more libraries, borrowing privileges, and gym access(with an annual fee).

also DPM students are eligible to join the Harvard Extension School Alumni Association and the general Harvard Alumni Association.
 
I think a couple people may do this schedule, but it's rare. The most common schedule for people taking all 4 courses at the HES is year 1: chem/physics, year 2: orgo/bio. The next most common schedule is summer: chem, then physics/orgo/bio (this is what I'm doing right now). I have no personal experience with summer orgo, but I know I would not want to do it. The summer classes move fast, and in orgo, everything is cumulative - I think summer orgo would be pretty tough. Some people take it, and I'm sure some of them get an A; that class may be fine for you, but I can't say that I would recommend it.

Also, I'm glad I took gen chem before fall semester bio. Why not start the 1 year program in the summer with gen chem? Or if you have to start in the fall, why not do the 2 year program with more volunteer work or a part-time health-related job? I'm sure some people would be fine with your proposed schedule, and you may be one of them, but I know that I wouldn't want to do it. Regardless of what you decide on, you should talk to Dr. Fixsen or Owen Peterson about your schedule. Good luck!

I was really just asking about possibilities. There's a slim chance I'll be starting the 2-year program this fall, and a better chance I'll be doing the standard 1-year program you mentioned next year. A couple questions for you ...

As someone who is completing the 1-year program, how much more difficult is it than the 2-year plan? I see mixed messages on this in looking through old threads, and I see HES frowns on the 1-year program on their website, so I'm unsure on how to proceed.

I probably wouldn't be able to afford doing the 2-year program full-time on just my savings and the paltry federal post-bac loan, so I would try to work ~20 hours/week. With the 1-year program, I would have the following 9 months to save at my current job and then go to school full-time.

Assuming volunteer hours are equal (5-10 hours/week?), is it really that much easier to do 2 classes + a part-time job opposed to 3 classes with no job? I would think it would be easier to concentrate on school for a year and not have to juggle a job, and also have all 3 classes right before the MCAT. What's your view on this?

Also, speaking of the MCAT, when do HES students general take it? I see the spring semester goes later than many schools, so do most take it before finals to still have apps out in June?

Thanks!
 
Last question.. I promise!!

3.67 Undergrad in Philosophy from reputable East coast school.
Top 10% of class as law student
26 ACT
a few years of volunteering experience (Mostly medical, but not exclusively)

Do I have a chance or should I take the GRE and shoot at a high score (1200-1300).
 
No worries medlaw- ask as many questions as you need. Admission into the HCP at Harvard is not that difficult., I have heard of people getting rejected but, I got in with a 3.5 in History... apply, you will def. get in as long at you still have some med school pre reqs to take. Furthermore, your GPA will put you in a great place to get into the top med schools, assuming you do well in the program and on on your MCAT's

apply...and we'll see ya at Harvard in the Fall!

Good Luck
 
Thanks Allo! Unfortunately I will have to wait until next year and will not be attending until Fall 2010. On the other hand there is good news! I spoke with Mr. Owens and he stated that the biology class without lab that I took should not keep me out of the Diploma program.
 
It's a buyer's market in Boston-- volunteering in ERs and stuff like that is pretty easy, just contact one of the 20 hospitals in the city, eg Mount Auburn, MGH, Brigham, BIDMC (they should all have volunteer websites). The Brigham has the most structured volunteer program, and it's right in the middle of Harvard Medical School. Same for research opps, just contact PIs directly (find their e-mail off the hms.harvard.edu website) and say you want to work with them. My PIs liked that I was a self-starter and that paid off big time, I think.

This may be a stupid question, but what are PIs?

Thank you!
 
It's a buyer's market in Boston-- volunteering in ERs and stuff like that is pretty easy, just contact one of the 20 hospitals in the city, eg Mount Auburn, MGH, Brigham, BIDMC (they should all have volunteer websites). The Brigham has the most structured volunteer program, and it's right in the middle of Harvard Medical School. Same for research opps, just contact PIs directly (find their e-mail off the hms.harvard.edu website) and say you want to work with them. My PIs liked that I was a self-starter and that paid off big time, I think.

This may be a stupid question, but what are PIs?

Thank you!
 
I would say that 3 classes full-time, or 2 classes and a part-time job, or one class and a full-time job are roughly equivalent. Expect each class to take a total of 20 hours per week, some weeks more, some less. In deciding how to do it, the big considerations are time and money, but I would recommend one of the 3 options I just listed. Doing more, and it will be hard to do well in each class. Doing less, and med schools will ask why you took such a light load.

If you want to work this upcoming year, then why not take chemistry while you're still working? It's night school, so it shouldn't be a problem. Then you could keep working through the summer, saving more money, and then do the other 3 full-time the next year. Summer classes are also more expensive than during the academic year.

I advise against summer orgo, but I'm not saying it's impossible. If that's what you want to do, and you're willing to sacrifice a summer to orgo, then do it.

HES doesn't look down on the 1 year program, they just see a lot of students that try it and can't handle it. So they caution people about it (but there are also lots of people that try 2 classes at a time and can't handle it).

This year a lot of people are taking the MCAT on May 28, but different students do it differently

Good luck!

I was really just asking about possibilities. There's a slim chance I'll be starting the 2-year program this fall, and a better chance I'll be doing the standard 1-year program you mentioned next year. A couple questions for you ...

As someone who is completing the 1-year program, how much more difficult is it than the 2-year plan? I see mixed messages on this in looking through old threads, and I see HES frowns on the 1-year program on their website, so I'm unsure on how to proceed.

I probably wouldn't be able to afford doing the 2-year program full-time on just my savings and the paltry federal post-bac loan, so I would try to work ~20 hours/week. With the 1-year program, I would have the following 9 months to save at my current job and then go to school full-time.

Assuming volunteer hours are equal (5-10 hours/week?), is it really that much easier to do 2 classes + a part-time job opposed to 3 classes with no job? I would think it would be easier to concentrate on school for a year and not have to juggle a job, and also have all 3 classes right before the MCAT. What's your view on this?

Also, speaking of the MCAT, when do HES students general take it? I see the spring semester goes later than many schools, so do most take it before finals to still have apps out in June?

Thanks!
 
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When you say 20 hours/week, are you including time in lecture/lab etc? Or 20 hours/week outside of class? I'm trying to figure out my schedule and I had assumed I would spend ~12 hours/week per class outside of class in addition to lab/lecture/recitation time. I'm actually very curious if I have underestimated the amount of time I will be spending on school work since I'll be working full time.
 
I would say that 3 classes full-time, or 2 classes and a part-time job, or one class and a full-time job are roughly equivalent. Expect each class to take a total of 20 hours per week, some weeks more, some less. In deciding how to do it, the big considerations are time and money, but I would recommend one of the 3 options I just listed. Doing more, and it will be hard to do well in each class. Doing less, and med schools will ask why you took such a light load.

If you want to work this upcoming year, then why not take chemistry while you're still working? It's night school, so it shouldn't be a problem. Then you could keep working through the summer, saving more money, and then do the other 3 full-time the next year. Summer classes are also more expensive than during the academic year.

I advise against summer orgo, but I'm not saying it's impossible. If that's what you want to do, and you're willing to sacrifice a summer to orgo, then do it.

HES doesn't look down on the 1 year program, they just see a lot of students that try it and can't handle it. So they caution people about it (but there are also lots of people that try 2 classes at a time and can't handle it).

This year a lot of people are taking the MCAT on May 28, but different students do it differently

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I've decided not to take the plunge this year, so if I do it next year it will definitely be the 1-year program with genchem the summer before.

I wish I could take chem at night this coming academic year, but I don't live in Boston, and although my local college offers it at 6pm two nights per week, I'm not sure I could swing that with a corporate job that has the potential for unexpected late nights.

Additionally, although I've done a great deal of reading and online research, I still lack clinical volunteering and shadowing, so it might be a better idea to work on those over the next year before deciding. If I had shadowed even if just for a couple hours at my current corporate finance job ~5 years ago, there's no way I'd be working here today, and I'd like to ensure history doesn't repeat itself.

As far as the MCAT, that ~1-2 week window after finals seems a bit tight. Or is 3 classes + MCAT prep during the spring semester feasible?
 
Hi guys,

I could use your help on this one.

I have a 2.95 undergrad GPA and a 24 MCAT. I've already taken all of my science prerequisites, i.e Bio, Orgo, gen Chem and Physics. Should I even bother applying to HES? Will I be granted sponsorship?
Also, I am planning on applying to Med school this year (D.O and M.D.) while looking to get into post-bacc programs. Will HES write a recommendation for this coming application cycle or do I have to wait an entire year before I'll be eligible>

Thanks for your help.

I wouldn't recommend such a path. The Harvard program is built for people who have a degree in an unrelated field and are seeking to get the AAMC required courses out of the way while building some good connections at a major hub for medicine.

As you have already taken the courses and have a low GPA, you should focus on getting your MCAT up to 30-32 and enter an SMP program such as Georgetown or University of Cincinnati while also working in either a clinical or hospital setting as an EMT or Nursing assistant (if you haven't already done so). With your scores, the only schools likely to take you on the allopathic side are SGU, SABA, Ross, or AUC. Go over to Valuemd's forum for more details on the Carib schools. The four I listed (and only the four) are fully accredited in all 50 states permitting you take the ECFMG and the USMLE steps 1, CS, CK- and do greenbook clinicals in the US.

They work very well if you are seeking a job in primary care. For specialty stuff, not so much. But the bottom line is that unless you do some serious work, you will not get into an American medical school. Even the DOs tend to take around 3.2-3.4 GPA and 26+ MCAT as it is becoming more common for those borderline for Allopathic training to also apply for the DO side.
 
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I don't know why this is inadvisable. HES has infinitely more upper-division courses than most post-bac programs. If you have the will to do it, and think you can bring your GPA above 3.0, then do HES. Most SMPs won't even look at you if you have a GPA below that, anyway, and so a graduate GPA on your AMCAS won't get you screened in if your undergrad is screening you out. Talk to Dr. Fixsen or Owen Peterson at HES and they will tell you the same thing. Beware random advice on the internet.

If you get enough good grades, HES will sponsor you as long as you get a 30 or more on the MCAT (not impossible if you take practice tests ad nauseum for a few months). I know a few people from MIT who had horrid (read: below 3.0) GPAs and were not officially in the program but eventually got sponsored because they aced all of the science courses. SMP with a sub-3.2 gpa is a recipe for debt and disaster.


I wouldn't recommend such a path. The Harvard program is built for people who have a degree in an unrelated field and are seeking to get the AAMC required courses out of the way while building some good connections at a major hub for medicine.

As you have already taken the courses and have a low GPA, you should focus on getting your MCAT up to 30-32 and enter an SMP program such as Georgetown or University of Cincinnati while also working in either a clinical or hospital setting as an EMT or Nursing assistant (if you haven't already done so). With your scores, the only schools likely to take you on the allopathic side are SGU, SABA, Ross, or AUC. Go over to Valuemd's forum for more details on the Carib schools. The four I listed (and only the four) are fully accredited in all 50 states permitting you take the ECFMG and the USMLE steps 1, CS, CK- and do greenbook clinicals in the US.

They work very well if you are seeking a job in primary care. For specialty stuff, not so much. But the bottom line is that unless you do some serious work, you will not get into an American medical school. Even the DOs tend to take around 3.2-3.4 GPA and 26+ MCAT as it is becoming more common for those borderline for Allopathic training to also apply for the DO side.
 
I don't know why this is inadvisable. HES has infinitely more upper-division courses than most post-bac programs. If you have the will to do it, and think you can bring your GPA above 3.0, then do HES. Most SMPs won't even look at you if you have a GPA below that, anyway, and so a graduate GPA on your AMCAS won't get you screened in if your undergrad is screening you out. Talk to Dr. Fixsen or Owen Peterson at HES and they will tell you the same thing. Beware random advice on the internet.

My advice isn't random it is very well thought out. The guy already has all the prereq courses done- the same courses HES primarily focuses on. He should frankly just take a few hard science courses at his current college and get the GPA up to a 3.1-3.2. Then alongside a better MCAT score he can get into an SMP like Georgetown and fix most- if not all- of his application problems.

I suppose going to Harvard wouldn't hurt, but it's a cost benefit ratio and HES is the best benefit to someone who has a degree in an unrelated field and becomes interested in healthcare. They take you through the AAMC courses and provide a good framework to further enhance your app. If you have the AAMC stuff done and the MCAT, then look at graduate work with an SMP like program and focus on getting the MCAT higher. It just simply works better.