Official Harvard Extension 2012 Thread

[Soco9087]

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Hey all you current and future HES postbaccers. There will be two rooms available in the house I'm living in now starting June 1st. It's a one year lease. I've been living with two roommates this past year (while attending HES) but they're moving out so I'm looking for two new roommates.

Here's a link to craigslist ad that the landlord posted. http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/roo/2923830044.html You can reply to the ad to talk to the landlord or you can e-mail me directly @ [email protected]

The pics are old and it doesn't look like that now but you can get an idea of how much space there is.

My name is Andrew, 25 y/o turning 26 in May. Male, straight. I'm out of the house most of the time. Usually on campus in the library. I study a lot and I prefer to keep the home life relatively quiet. I'm pretty laid back (from Hawaii) and easy to get along with.

Let me know if any if you are interested. This place should work for people planning to start in the summer being that the lease starts on 6/1.

I'm extremely interested, its in my price range and the date is perfect. How's the commute to campus? Do you bike, ride, drive? What do utilities look like monthly? Is there parking available?

Best advice for trying to find some research? Should I just look up labs and e-mail PI's offering 20-30 hours a week of free labor for 1 year+?

Old textbooks? They still used for the class? Sell to me?

 

[Jennet]

Hey all you current and future HES postbaccers. There will be two rooms available in the house I'm living in now starting June 1st. It's a one year lease. I've been living with two roommates this past year (while attending HES) but they're moving out so I'm looking for two new roommates.

Here's a link to craigslist ad that the landlord posted. http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/roo/2923830044.html You can reply to the ad to talk to the landlord or you can e-mail me directly @ [email protected]

The pics are old and it doesn't look like that now but you can get an idea of how much space there is.

My name is Andrew, 25 y/o turning 26 in May. Male, straight. I'm out of the house most of the time. Usually on campus in the library. I study a lot and I prefer to keep the home life relatively quiet. I'm pretty laid back (from Hawaii) and easy to get along with.

Let me know if any if you are interested. This place should work for people planning to start in the summer being that the lease starts on 6/1.

Don't believe Andrew. He's not quite right...too many hours in the Hawaiian sun...

Good luck on the test today everyone! And don't worry Sciengee, you'll do great!

 

[johnnyscans]

Hey all you current and future HES postbaccers. There will be two rooms available in the house I'm living in now starting June 1st. It's a one year lease. I've been living with two roommates this past year (while attending HES) but they're moving out so I'm looking for two new roommates.

Here's a link to craigslist ad that the landlord posted. http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/roo/2923830044.html You can reply to the ad to talk to the landlord or you can e-mail me directly @ [email protected]

The pics are old and it doesn't look like that now but you can get an idea of how much space there is.

My name is Andrew, 25 y/o turning 26 in May. Male, straight. I'm out of the house most of the time. Usually on campus in the library. I study a lot and I prefer to keep the home life relatively quiet. I'm pretty laid back (from Hawaii) and easy to get along with.

Let me know if any if you are interested. This place should work for people planning to start in the summer being that the lease starts on 6/1.

If it was pet friendly and September 1st, you'd have a new roomie. Too bad 🙁

 

[johnnyscans]

Best advice for trying to find some research? Should I just look up labs and e-mail PI's offering 20-30 hours a week of free labor for 1 year+?

Old textbooks? They still used for the class? Sell to me?

Offer free labor and convey a willingness to work extra hours/weekends in the beginning until you're trained up. Supposedly there was a student in our lab before me who promised a >1 year commitment and left after 6 months once the research "check-box" was marked off, so to speak. Research takes a lot of time, but I find it fascinating and extremely rewarding. It's also nice to work hand-in-hand with doctors on a daily basis. Best bet, look up PIs that you might be interested in working under and go from there. The most post-docs they have (as post-docs always need student help) the better.

Which classes in particular are you looking on snatching textbooks for?

 

[Soco9087]

I'll most likely be taking bio with fixen this summer, but chem is still a possibility since I still need to register. Then level 1 physics, chem/bio/ochem, guess i need to make a decision for figure out what i take in the summer.

I really want to pursue something that would have the possibility of getting me published. In your experience, do you find that your current research position you're a value added to the project or is the level of research currently beyond your comprehensibly? Is your input valued or are you more just of a lab tech doing menial tasks? When you started how much experience did you have? Did you get better over time?

Man my first time in a lab last fall, I sucked at everything. Fire polishing either too big or too small, bubbles everywhere killing my cells. I was like man I'm going to suck if I make it.

 

[johnnyscans]

I'll most likely be taking bio with fixen this summer, but chem is still a possibility since I still need to register. Then level 1 physics, chem/bio/ochem, guess i need to make a decision for figure out what i take in the summer.

I really want to pursue something that would have the possibility of getting me published. In your experience, do you find that your current research position you're a value added to the project or is the level of research currently beyond your comprehensibly? Is your input valued or are you more just of a lab tech doing menial tasks? When you started how much experience did you have? Did you get better over time?

Man my first time in a lab last fall, I sucked at everything. Fire polishing either too big or too small, bubbles everywhere killing my cells. I was like man I'm going to suck if I make it.

I know for certain that I'm value added. I started with absolutely zero lab experience. A surgeon I shadowed for 6 months knew of my desire to get involved in research and once I decided on HES, he put in a call for me. I met with my current PI, explained my desire for getting into research, and sold him with my two year commitment. After my initial 3-4 months of "training" I was given a half-completed project to finish and push to publication.

I sucked when I started, but I'm lucky to work under a brilliant post-doc who is an exceptional teacher. I'm now comfortable with a ton of techniques - western blot, pcr, cloning, co-ip, eukaryotic cell culture, virus design/transfection/infection. I'm at the point where I'm starting to predict outcomes and pick my next experiments, which is a great feeling. I also have a list of lab jobs to complete each week (every member of our lab does), so it's nice to be given responsibilities that effect everyone in the lab. I'm also much smarter than when I started, it's hard not to learn a ton when surrounded by smart people.

I think the key is a willingness to learn and ask questions when uncertain. Things go wrong and mistakes are made, it's the nature of the beast that is research. I've watched two members of my lab get fired because they lied about results and tried to cover up mistakes. I've blown weeks of work out the door with mistakes but hey, it happens - you learn from what you did and move on. Never be afraid to say "I screwed up" and start from scratch. Just last week I screwed up an mRNA prep (a very simple protocol) on cells that I cultured, infected and harvested (2-3 weeks worth of work). Did it suck, yep. Will I ever make that mistake again? Nope.

 

[Soco9087]

Is there a chance you get to do your own independent hypothesis testing or is funding/time/resources an issue? How many hours a week do you put in at the lab?

This is more reflective of my own ability, but how hard do you think it will be to swing 20-30/hours of research on top of summer classes? and volunteering/shadowing?

 

[johnnyscans]

Is there a chance you get to do your own independent hypothesis testing or is funding/time/resources an issue? How many hours a week do you put in at the lab?

This is more reflective of my own ability, but how hard do you think it will be to swing 20-30/hours of research on top of summer classes? and volunteering/shadowing?

First part - no, net yet. Soon though. Our lab has funding out the wazoo. I think it comes down to a matter of experience on my end. I'm not as knowledgeable about our research yet to make truly intelligent hypotheses. However, I'm 10 fold more knowledgeable than when I started, especially in regards to the pathways I'm currently working on. My hope would be that if I gain admittance to a Boston area school I would be able to stay active with the lab through medical school . . .we shall see.

On top of an 8 credit summer class (Bio/Chem/Phys/Orgo) - hard, especially since they meet in the morning/early afternoon. You need to be trained at the start, and many protocols take 2-3 days of work in a row to pull off successful e.g. western blots. As much as I'd like to pick up a scheduled non-clinical volunteer role, it's impossible at the moment (although I guess volunteer research kinda fits the bill). I'm at that level of busy where any additional weekly tasks could very well push me over my limit, which would be bad.

Right now I'm very busy, but I still get some days off during the week to play catch up or relax, which is awesome. It all comes down to efficient training and smart scheduling. That said, I've had to go into the lab the past 3 or 4 weekends in order to take care of my cells in culture. With smart experiment/culture planning, you can take days off as needed.

 

[samanthablondie]

Seriously, if someone wants to be a family physician, why in the world do medical schools want research? Doesn't really make any sense to me. But maybe I am missing something.

 

[Magilacutty]

Hey all,

I'm planning to start up courses this Fall, moving over from Minnesota. I currently work full-time in medical software. It would be good to make some connections with new and current HES/HCP students. I haven't started the housing/apt search yet, but I will be looking for an August lease. I have one other friend in the greater Boston area who might be interested in getting a house.

Anyway, I have a quick question, and sorry if this has been asked before. Have any of you started with Chem and Bio E1 a-b for the first year? I realize this isn't recommended by HCP, and that Chem is "strongly recommended" for Bio. I kinda want to get Bio out of the way though because it opens the door for upper levels. Also, I heard Physics over the summer is more enjoyable, and perhaps easier than Physics over two semesters.

Thanks!

 

[Soco9087]

Seriously, if someone wants to be a family physician, why in the world do medical schools want research? Doesn't really make any sense to me. But maybe I am missing something.

I THINK it depends on where you want to go to school, those research heavy school get a lot of federal funding for research and they want students with research background because they are more inclined to continue with that research in med school. Also everything you learn is based of centuries of research, it how we got to where we are, so research experience should help you gain a better understanding of everything you learn and read.

Hey all,

I'm planning to start up courses this Fall, moving over from Minnesota. I currently work full-time in medical software. It would be good to make some connections with new and current HES/HCP students. I haven't started the housing/apt search yet, but I will be looking for an August lease. I have one other friend in the greater Boston area who might be interested in getting a house.

Anyway, I have a quick question, and sorry if this has been asked before. Have any of you started with Chem and Bio E1 a-b for the first year? I realize this isn't recommended by HCP, and that Chem is "strongly recommended" for Bio. I kinda want to get Bio out of the way though because it opens the door for upper levels. Also, I heard Physics over the summer is more enjoyable, and perhaps easier than Physics over two semesters.

Thanks!

My understanding is that there is a little bit of chem in the beginning of bio, nothing too tough though. Depending if you want to do the 1 or 2 year plan chem also opens up a lot of doors to upper levels, not to mention ochem which is required for mcat depending on when you want to take it. I don't think 8 credit hours over 10 weeks in the summer would be easier then 8 over 2 semesters.

 

[johnnyscans]

Seriously, if someone wants to be a family physician, why in the world do medical schools want research? Doesn't really make any sense to me. But maybe I am missing something.

Medicine has two unique yet very interrelated sides - research and clinical. Neither one gets anywhere without the other. Problems that arise/are discovered in the clinic (a new disease) is research on a molecular level in the lab. Once the gene of interest is located, experiments are done on that gene until a culprit is discovered. Once found, the process of drug design can start. New drug leads to clinical trials leads to (hopefully) USDA approval.

As a family physician, whether you like it or not, you'll be prescribing drugs. I think it's nice to know what goes on behind the scenes in developing those drugs. I agree, it may not be as important for those deadset on primary care. If you plan on specializing though, you will be performing research at some point. I think it's also important because it stresses many qualities that are sought after in physicians e.g. critical thinking, teamwork, dedication.

Also, research = money = ranking. It's a lot like GPA. Just because you've scored a 4.0 does not mean you'll be a good doctor. That said, medical schools are ranked based on the GPA of their incoming class. One of the many reasons so much emphasis is put on GPA.

 

[oldcrumb]

I got a B+ in chem because, for me, it was too much material that I wasn't particularly interested in condensed into 6 weeks or whatever it was. The way I typically do well in a class is by reading all of the chapters by myself, which takes time, and I didn't have enough time to do it during the summer. I'm also not great at consistently chipping away at learning something, so a full-semester class is better for me because I slack/lose interest a bit somewhere in the middle, then regain my energy toward the end and do well on the final, usually. That amount of class-time and lab-time (it really was almost 40 hours a week) was just unbearable for me. And it was summer and sunny and hot outside, making it infinitely worse. I also never went to section, which was a mistake.

So to summarize, I think getting an A or A- in summer chem is quite doable if you just get your **** together for the 6 weeks, which I sort of regret not doing, but what can you do. But, I also hear that Tucci's chem class during the year is the best one in the program, so maybe taking bio over the summer would be a better option for maximizing having the best professors (everyone seems to prefer Fixsen to Anderson, but I've only had Anderson so can't offer my own direct opinion).

Elaborate on chem in the summer, I'm still trying to decide between summer chem or summer bio. Would you do it again or would you stick to the normal year? Is it really as bad as some people make it out it be? Why do you think you didn't get a A-, or A+? Lack of effort, too much material, not enough time, or too busy with other things like job? Is it like a full time jobs where you're putting in almost 40 hours a week to the class?

 

[MedWonk]

Elaborate on chem in the summer, I'm still trying to decide between summer chem or summer bio. Would you do it again or would you stick to the normal year? Is it really as bad as some people make it out it be? Why do you think you didn't get a A-, or A+? Lack of effort, too much material, not enough time, or too busy with other things like job? Is it like a full time jobs where you're putting in almost 40 hours a week to the class?

Judging by how much material there is in bio, I would say choose chem. It'll be more manageable in that time frame, and if you're going to get you feet wet, you want to start "small". And it will be about 40/week altogether. It doesn't leave much time to do anything else, especially since there are so many labs, and as soon as you're done with one exam, you start studying for the next one in a week. You'll have time to eat, sleep, and have a few hours to decompress/get drunk each day (more on weekends), but most of your time on weekdays will be spent hitting the books. You could feasibly do some light volunteering during this time, but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[smiley27]

Solutions to the physics exam are up.

I thought the exam was pretty easy, again. I won't be surprised if we see another high class average. I made one stupid boneheaded mistake though, I reasoned that if the current is at its max value the voltage across the capacitor must be 0. All that was necessary was a plug and chug. DOH! I think I did well though, probably not as well as the first exam.

 

[Magilacutty]

My understanding is that there is a little bit of chem in the beginning of bio, nothing too tough though. Depending if you want to do the 1 or 2 year plan chem also opens up a lot of doors to upper levels, not to mention ochem which is required for mcat depending on when you want to take it. I don't think 8 credit hours over 10 weeks in the summer would be easier then 8 over 2 semesters.

Thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure I'll start with Chem/Bio as I will probably do at least one upper level Bio, and plan to take Ochem the following year. I'm really not too thrilled about taking Physics in general, but I have to do it. Has anybody taken summer Physics? I'm hearing that it's better organized than fall/spring Physics, but I don't expect it to be easy.

 

[BlueFoxAZ]

hello all, i'm a longtime lurker and infrequent poster. i'm currently torn between the tufts postbacc and the HES program, and would greatly appreciate your opinions. things you should know about me: i graduated from a women's college this past may, with a 3.4 overall and a 3.2 sci was a psychology and spanish double major, and am first-generation college (aka low socioeconomic status/single parent family, etc) - i'm ok at science classes but i am willing to dedicate 24/7 to be awesome at them, and i don't want to get into a lot of debt.

in addition to any/all advice you'd care to share, i'd like to hear know if at HES you feel lost in the crowd? as in, lost in a sea of fellow premeds? i've heard it said that harvard doesn't "hold your hand", does that mean they (professors, TA's, advisors, etc) aren't available if you reach out to them?

next question: how does the financial aid work? i would imagine i'd qualify for what's out there given my background - are they mostly government loans? if i'm not eligible for the diploma program (took chem already woops), am i doomed to private loans?

thanks in advance 🙂

 

[Soco9087]

hello all, i'm a longtime lurker and infrequent poster. i'm currently torn between the tufts postbacc and the HES program, and would greatly appreciate your opinions. things you should know about me: i graduated from a women's college this past may, with a 3.4 overall and a 3.2 sci was a psychology and spanish double major, and am first-generation college (aka low socioeconomic status/single parent family, etc) - i'm ok at science classes but i am willing to dedicate 24/7 to be awesome at them, and i don't want to get into a lot of debt.

in addition to any/all advice you'd care to share, i'd like to hear know if at HES you feel lost in the crowd? as in, lost in a sea of fellow premeds? i've heard it said that harvard doesn't "hold your hand", does that mean they (professors, TA's, advisors, etc) aren't available if you reach out to them?

next question: how does the financial aid work? i would imagine i'd qualify for what's out there given my background - are they mostly government loans? if i'm not eligible for the diploma program (took chem already woops), am i doomed to private loans?

thanks in advance 🙂

Tufts if ~30k for 8 classes so about 3.75k per class, I think my numbers are right. While HES is ~1.2k a class if you're not taking summer classes. If you don't like a lot of debt tufts might not be the best choice. Seems like most people here are either paying out of pocket or private loans. I do believe you qualify for a small amount of federal loans if you are in the diploma program, depending on your past history.

 

[MedWonk]

Tufts if ~30k for 8 classes so about 3.75k per class, I think my numbers are right. While HES is ~1.2k a class if you're not taking summer classes. If you don't like a lot of debt tufts might not be the best choice. Seems like most people here are either paying out of pocket or private loans. I do believe you qualify for a small amount of federal loans if you are in the diploma program, depending on your past history.

You don't have to be a diploma student to get federal loans, you just have to admitted into HCP. The caveat is that you will only get loans over a 12 consecutive month period, so some consecutive combo of spring, summer, and fall courses over a span of 12 consecutive months.

/consecutive

 

[Jennet]

To all the new posters - make sure you are searching the thread using the toolbar and I'd also recommend taking a look at the 2010 thread. A lot of the same questions are being asked repeatedly and it will save you some hassle to just browse through the earlier pages. I'll be posting more information about events over the summer as the student group is trying to reach out and do a few social events before the academic term. Last semester we also had a HES/SDN meet-n-greet which went really well and many of us are still friends. Just FYI there is a Medical Student Panel happening on Wednesday August 11th at 5:30 pm in Sever Hall. If you aren't a member of the FB group or receiving the student emails, I'd suggest signing up to stay current on events.

I also wanted to touch on Bio over the summer. Many students advise caution taking Bio over the summer. Make sure you have the time to dedicate to the course. It is incredibly condensed and known to be quite demanding. Fixsen is a brilliant lecturer and you will learn a lot, but don't go into it with a flippant attitude. It is a challenging course and more so than the course taught over a semester (and more than summer Orgo). That being said, I would love to attend the course just for Fixsen's teaching.

 

[smiley27]

SDN meetup. Trust me new people, you're gonna want to make some study buddies/people to check HW answers with.

I'm doing really well in physics this semester (scoring in the top range of the class) but last semester I was below average on both midterms. Ended up scoring above average on the final which saved my final grade out. BUT ... I have never taken physics before.. I STRUGGLED like CRAZY last semester. and if you're like me and not naturally smart in the sciences take this warning seriously ... Professor Rueckner's class is demanding.

Meeting some really great people at the SDN meetup that I still work with really, really, REALLY has helped me with everything. There's no way I can do this on my own.

Chemistry is no joke either. I think the class is really challenging. This semester I'm actually struggling more with chemistry more than physics. Just because Tucci is a great professor, don't take that as meaning the class is easy. Just, people tend to score better in chemistry but the exams are not cakewalks and they will test your understanding.

 

[johnnyscans]

This fall on plan on taking Orgo1, A&P1 and a third yet to be decided course. I've been considering medical microbiology, but have been tossing around the idea of a psych/soc course.

Any suggestions/advice from ya'll?

 

[MedWonk]

This fall on plan on taking Orgo1, A&P1 and a third yet to be decided course. I've been considering medical microbiology, but have been tossing around the idea of a psych/soc course.

Any suggestions/advice from ya'll?

Can't go wrong with Psych E-15. Just be prepared to take good notes, and you might want to audio record the lectures.

 

[MedWonk]

Are you talking about the health careers scholarship, where they give you a free class? Apparently I got that scholarship this semester, because I got a check in the mail for the cost of physics class, and when I checked my balance it had "Health Careers Scholarship" listed in there, so that was unexpected and nice. I guess they must do it by-semester, because here are my grades thus far:

spring 2011: Bio2: A-, Calc: A
summer 2011: GenChem: B+
fall 2011: Physics1: A, Bio1: A, Intro To Academic Writing: A

So my grades aren't straight A's or anything, but last semester was a good one, so I think that must be how they figure out who gets it?

AND I'm about to get an F- in Physics2. Excellent.

So, apparently I did the scholarship this semester, which would explain the random check they sent me in the middle of the semester.

 

[Soco9087]

So, apparently I did the scholarship this semester, which would explain the random check they sent me in the middle of the semester.

Haha nice, receive random large check in mail, doesn't bother to find out where it came form till the end of the semester. Sounds like a future md right here

 

[MedWonk]

Haha nice, receive random large check in mail, doesn't bother to find out where it came form till the end of the semester. Sounds like a future md right here

Who am I to question the accountants at Harvard? If they say I'm owed $1150, then I guess I'll just have to do the responsible thing a put it straight into my bank account.

 

[samanthablondie]

I wanted to volunteer, shadow and work at MGH but someone PM'd me that it would be a bad idea because my sister will be working as a doctor there. I am not sure I agree with this person and I hope everyone here does not agree with that!

My sister and I will be bringing the Ford Explorer. I have repeatedly been told that a car is a bad idea but sis says she will need it for her job, which will involve at least once-a-week travel to an area hospital outside of Boston. Rent is not an issue because my sister will be paid quite well at MGH. I hear Cambridge parking is street parking and it is not fun and you have to move your car frequently for street cleaning. Given that we will have a vehicle, what would be the best area to rent an apartment? I think I am trying to find out if there are apartment complexes somewhere along the T that allow private parking on their premises.

Another question. The general consensus on here seems to be Tucci is great and Rueckner isn't quite as good. I was wondering - so have people generally gotten better grades in Chemistry than in Physics?

 

[Soco9087]

I wanted to volunteer, shadow and work at MGH but someone PM'd me that it would be a bad idea because my sister will be working as a doctor there. I am not sure I agree with this person and I hope everyone here does not agree with that!

I don't see a problem there, you can even shadow your own sister, but don't expect to use a LOR from her though.

My sister and I will be bringing the Ford Explorer. I have repeatedly been told that a car is a bad idea but sis says she will need it for her job, which will involve at least once-a-week travel to an area hospital outside of Boston. Rent is not an issue because my sister will be paid quite well at MGH. I hear Cambridge parking is street parking and it is not fun and you have to move your car frequently for street cleaning. Given that we will have a vehicle, what would be the best area to rent an apartment? I think I am trying to find out if there are apartment complexes somewhere along the T that allow private parking on their premises.

Your best option would probably be to find a house with off street parking. As most complex's that do offer parking charge monthly fees for parking. There are permits for off street parking, you'll have to ask other around here how those works.

Another question. The general consensus on here seems to be Tucci is great and Rueckner isn't quite as good. I was wondering - so have people generally gotten better grades in Chemistry than in Physics?

I think you're comparing apples to oranges. Like all classes your grades are dependent on your own mastery of the material.

 

[johnnyscans]

I wanted to volunteer, shadow and work at MGH but someone PM'd me that it would be a bad idea because my sister will be working as a doctor there. I am not sure I agree with this person and I hope everyone here does not agree with that!

My sister and I will be bringing the Ford Explorer. I have repeatedly been told that a car is a bad idea but sis says she will need it for her job, which will involve at least once-a-week travel to an area hospital outside of Boston. Rent is not an issue because my sister will be paid quite well at MGH. I hear Cambridge parking is street parking and it is not fun and you have to move your car frequently for street cleaning. Given that we will have a vehicle, what would be the best area to rent an apartment? I think I am trying to find out if there are apartment complexes somewhere along the T that allow private parking on their premises.

Another question. The general consensus on here seems to be Tucci is great and Rueckner isn't quite as good. I was wondering - so have people generally gotten better grades in Chemistry than in Physics?

No one has to know your sister is working where you are volunteering. Choose whatever volunteer activity is fun and that you'll want to do week after week.

Not sure about parking as I don't have a car. Best to assume that parking in a city/street parking sucks.

Apples and oranges. Tucci does a better job of teaching the basics, while Reuckner helps hammer home deep understanding of the material. Both give difficult tests. Ruckner drops the lowest of two midterms. Tucci adjusts your curve to make either midterms or final count more - whichever gives you the better grade. All in all both give you ample chances to earn an A. It's up to you to put in the hard work.

 

[LAnative]

Hi Everyone~

I will be starting at HCP in the Fall and as reflected by my username, I will be relocating from LA! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I was just hoping to clarify a question that I had regarding the program. Do the chemistry and physics classes meet once a week? If so, are discussion sessions and lab times incorporated into that schedule or do you meet a completely separate day? I was just hoping to plan ahead since I hope to work while completing the program. Thanks!

 

[Soco9087]

Hi Everyone~

I will be starting at HCP in the Fall and as reflected by my username, I will be relocating from LA! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I was just hoping to clarify a question that I had regarding the program. Do the chemistry and physics classes meet once a week? If so, are discussion sessions and lab times incorporated into that schedule or do you meet a completely separate day? I was just hoping to plan ahead since I hope to work while completing the program. Thanks!

If you go to the school website and look at the "Course" tab, you can check out the course syllabi. The physics website has a plethora of information.

 

[LAnative]

Thanks! The syllabus is a wealth of information!

 

[johnnyscans]

Hi Everyone~

I will be starting at HCP in the Fall and as reflected by my username, I will be relocating from LA! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I was just hoping to clarify a question that I had regarding the program. Do the chemistry and physics classes meet once a week? If so, are discussion sessions and lab times incorporated into that schedule or do you meet a completely separate day? I was just hoping to plan ahead since I hope to work while completing the program. Thanks!

Physics - meets once a week, 1 discussion section a week, test reviews the Sunday before exams, 5 labs throughout the semester, only 4 require you to come in though (the first, in both semesters, is a take-home). You schedule your discussion and lab during the first few weeks of lecture. You can attend any open section. You MUST attend your assigned lab section.

Chemistry - meets once a week, reviews are friday afternoon. Both reviews and lectures are videotaped and posted online. There is an incentive to attend lecture - those who answer >50% of the in-class clicker questions will have their 2 lowest problem sets converted to a perfect score. You have weekly lab and discussion sections (there are 6 possible time slots). Attendance in both is mandatory.

 

[LAnative]

Thanks for the information! Anyone else relocating to Boston to start at HCP in the Fall? If so, how are you tackling the whole apartment-hunting situation? Any recommended areas? I know that Boston is a landlord's market, but any advice to ease the process would be much appreciated. I will be flying to Boston the 2nd week of June to officially find an apartment with a target move in date of August 15. Advice?

 

[swenz89]

I am! I'll be coming from SF sometime in August. I was originally thinking sooner, but I have to have another ankle surgery this week so it's going to take me a bit longer to get there than I originally anticipated so that I can finish rehab, etc. I'd love to connect with someone on here or in the program to look with or something, as I don't think it's going to be possible to live alone with Boston prices.

 

[johnnyscans]

Thanks for the information! Anyone else relocating to Boston to start at HCP in the Fall? If so, how are you tackling the whole apartment-hunting situation? Any recommended areas? I know that Boston is a landlord's market, but any advice to ease the process would be much appreciated. I will be flying to Boston the 2nd week of June to officially find an apartment with a target move in date of August 15. Advice?

Somewhere between 80 and 90% of the apartments in Boston have a Sept. 1 move-in date. Good because you'll be able to find a place. Bad because every other college student in the world is looking to move-in on/around that date.

My advice. Go apartment hunting with a check book. When you find a place you like submit an application immediately. Places will rent extremely fast. . . trust me. I lost an excellent apartment because I waited until after lunch to submit an application.

Also, landlords are dicks and realtors are *******s. Don't trust them.

 

[LAnative]

Somewhere between 80 and 90% of the apartments in Boston have a Sept. 1 move-in date. Good because you'll be able to find a place. Bad because every other college student in the world is looking to move-in on/around that date.

My advice. Go apartment hunting with a check book. When you find a place you like submit an application immediately. Places will rent extremely fast. . . trust me. I lost an excellent apartment because I waited until after lunch to submit an application.

Also, landlords are dicks and realtors are *******s. Don't trust them.

And the fun begins! We're meeting with a realtor representing the Cambridge/Somerville area from the largest brokerage in that immediate vicinity. Given that we're really walking in unchartered territory, we figured we need some guidance and would be unable to view as much apartments as a realtor would have access to. Plus, we only have about a day and a half to devote to apartment hunting. I'm hoping it works out!

 

[johnnyscans]

And the fun begins! We're meeting with a realtor representing the Cambridge/Somerville area from the largest brokerage in that immediate vicinity. Given that we're really walking in unchartered territory, we figured we need some guidance and would be unable to view as much apartments as a realtor would have access to. Plus, we only have about a day and a half to devote to apartment hunting. I'm hoping it works out!

That was going to be my next bit of advice. If possible, could you PM me an email/contact address for your realtor? I'm looking into new apartments (as I despise my management company) and could use leads on realtors.

It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Soco9087]

How well could you be able to handle physics, ochem, and bio in the fall?

 

[johnnyscans]

How well could you be able to handle physics, ochem, and bio in the fall?

I see that getting unbelievably ugly extremely fast. I find Cell Bio/Physics/Chem much more manageable than Bio/Physics. . . go figure. Add OChem into that and you're looking at a bloodbath.

Just my $.02.

 

[Soco9087]

I see that getting unbelievably ugly extremely fast. I find Cell Bio/Physics/Chem much more manageable than Bio/Physics. . . go figure. Add OChem into that and you're looking at a bloodbath.

Just my $.02.

Thought so, finally signed up for bio in the summer. Then chem/physics in fall/spring, followed by summer ochem . Then electives, calc, and MCAT prep. That's the plan currently.

 

[johnnyscans]

Thought so, finally signed up for bio in the summer. Then chem/physics in fall/spring, followed by summer ochem . Then electives, calc, and MCAT prep. That's the plan currently.

That's the best way, in my opinion. If you think you can handle it, I recommend cell biology next spring.

 

[SomedaySoonMM]

Thanks for the information! Anyone else relocating to Boston to start at HCP in the Fall? If so, how are you tackling the whole apartment-hunting situation? Any recommended areas? I know that Boston is a landlord's market, but any advice to ease the process would be much appreciated. I will be flying to Boston the 2nd week of June to officially find an apartment with a target move in date of August 15. Advice?

I'm moving this fall as well, from Seattle. I'm wonderingthis same question, so unfortunately I'm of no help. I have contacted a few realtorsand so far a couple have said I could sign a lease without being present, but thatjust does not sound like a good idea to me. We (spouse and I) are driving outbeginning of August and would like to wait to find a place until then... butwant to have options as well, so I'm not sure if that's a good idea either.Where are you staying until you move in? I would love to find temporary housinguntil I could find a place. Anybody think waiting until August to find a placea horrid idea? Unfortunately flying out earlier just to apartment search isn't very likely due to finances.

 

[BosNonTrad]

I have contacted a few realtorsand so far a couple have said I could sign a lease without being present, but thatjust does not sound like a good idea to me...Unfortunately flying out earlier just to apartment search isn't very likely due to finances.

I've looked at 50+ apartments in Boston over the years and hands down would recommend against signing a lease without actually seeing the place. I've found that pictures on realtor websites or craigslist are almost always innacurate or paint a much rosier picture than what the actual apartment looks like (unless you are looking in the higher end market). There will still be apartments available in August (I've signed a lease this late before), but it will be slim pickings since many will have been rented between April-July. Also, if finances are an issue, you may want to check out places further out than Somerville/Cambridge (i.e. Quincy, or even Belmont, which is a bus ride away from Harvard Sq.). Good luck!

 

[samanthablondie]

That was going to be my next bit of advice. If possible, could you PM me an email/contact address for your realtor? I'm looking into new apartments (as I despise my management company) and could use leads on realtors.

It would be greatly appreciated.

I know the pads are scumbags. They go by different names cambridgepads.com, bostonpads.com, somervillepads.com and any other name with "pads" in them. Don't believe, trust or do business with any of these pads guys!

 

[samanthablondie]

Also, landlords are dicks and realtors are *******s. Don't trust them.

I totally agree that realtors tend to be sleazy cheat and predatory scumbags who prey especially on students. They also take a month or so of your rent if they find you a place. It seems best to rent from Harvard, MIT or Tufts professors who are going on sabbaticals and other such responsible citizens of the Cambridge area and cut out the realtors altogether. There are also many MGH doctors who it appears will be away for an entire year. We seem to need to assure them that we will take very good care of their apartment and we should take good care of their apartment. Craigslist is a good way to directly contact such individuals, as is word of mouth.

 

[samanthablondie]

Where are you staying until you move in? I would love to find temporary housing until I could find a place.

This is my biggest problem. I can't seem to find good temporary housing.

 

[samanthablondie]

I'm moving this fall as well, from Seattle.

My sister and I will be driving to Cambridge from Home, WA, not that far from Seattle. We plan to drive 8 hours a day and stay at hotels along the way.

 

[BosNonTrad]

This is my biggest problem. I can't seem to find good temporary housing.

Have you checked out homeaway.com? I rented a place for a week in DC through homeaway and it was relatively inexpensive. It ended up working out much better than a hotel.

 

[smiley27]

Posting this again ...

Hey all you current and future HES postbaccers. There will be two rooms available in the house I'm living in now starting June 1st. It's a one year lease. I've been living with two roommates this past year (while attending HES) but they're moving out so I'm looking for two new roommates.

Here's a link to craigslist ad that the landlord posted. http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/roo/2923830044.html You can reply to the ad to talk to the landlord or you can e-mail me directly @ [email protected]

The pics are old and it doesn't look like that now but you can get an idea of how much space there is.

My name is Andrew, 25 y/o turning 26 in May. Male, straight. I'm out of the house most of the time. Usually on campus in the library. I study a lot and I prefer to keep the home life relatively quiet. I'm pretty laid back (from Hawaii) and easy to get along with.

Let me know if any if you are interested. This place should work for people planning to start in the summer being that the lease starts on 6/1.