Official Harvard Extension 2012 Thread

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Hi Everyone, I have been reading this discussion topic for quite a while and it was so helpful in making my decision to move and go to HES. I have seen that a lot of people are moving from out of town and others have been in the area for a while; I am wondering if anyone would want to get together for a beer or coffee or something in the days before the BBQ. I don't know about you, but the thought of walking into a get together where I know no one is a little nerve wracking. I am moving from Oregon and will finally be in Boston 8/21 in the evening and my friend who I would go with is not in town til after the BBQ, and I would like to meet some new people in the new city I will be calling home. Also, I am still looking for housing too, so if you have any tips or know any cool people looking for a roommate I would love to talk to them. Thanks for all of your insight up to this point, it really has been very helpful!
 
The diploma won't do anything extra for me? At first I thought why not since it doesn't really require anything extra. Upon finding out that health insurance is $1,549 per term so $3,100 for the year and almost impossible to waive doesn't seem worth it to me at this point. Might as well pay $75 for AMSA membership and get their insurance. Hope its possible for me to withdraw from the diploma program.
 
Would it be unreasonable to relocate to Boston to attend HES from the west coast? I've been following the thread and this seems like a great program, but I'm not sure if such a drastic move is in my best interests. I want to attend a formal post bacc, but the really good ones would require me to study for the GRE and do well on it considering how underwhelming my SAT score is lol. Not really wanting to go that route, but I would if need be.
 
PrinceR said:
Would it be unreasonable to relocate to Boston to attend HES from the west coast? I've been following the thread and this seems like a great program, but I'm not sure if such a drastic move is in my best interests. I want to attend a formal post bacc, but the really good ones would require me to study for the GRE and do well on it considering how underwhelming my SAT score is lol. Not really wanting to go that route, but I would if need be.
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I would say no, just because Berkeley Extension offers a post-bacc and it's much closer to you. The Bay Area also isn't really short on EC opportunities, either. You should go with the post-bacc that allows you to spend the least amount of money while taking courses through a 4-year school. I wouldn't consider moving across the country just for Harvard unless you were admitted to a degree-granting program. There are plenty of good schools on the west coast, especially in CA.
 
Doc4Runner said:
Those of you that volunteer at MGH, did you go to the volunteer orientation page and sign up there? I checked the page about a week ago and emailed the office (no response) to verify that you can sign up for orientation online. Last week the page said THE UPCOMING ORIENTATION IS CURRENTLY FULL. Please check back on this website after 12:30pm on Tuesday July 31st to sign up for the next orientation.

So I checked back today, just now.

And it says THE UPCOMING ORIENTATION IS CURRENTLY FULL. Please check back on this website after 12 Noon on Thursday, August 16th to sign up for the next orientation.

Is this normal? I guess I should try calling the volunteer office.
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I would say you should spend time doing a volunteer research opportunity or shadowing the doctors at MGH. I had a great time volunteering at MGH in my previous high school years but since I entered college 50 miles away from Boston and did more extracurriculars out of Boston, I didn't have the time to go back. But now since I have graduated, moved back, and taking Biology in the Fall, I hope to work full time at MGH. Since you are going to volunteer, whether it be at the discharge desk or at somewhere else, you could ask around for a research position at hospital. I use to volunteer in the same day surgical unit and I absolutely loved it!
 
Hello Friends:

New to SDN.

I will be taking Biology in the Fall 2012 with Prof. Roehig. I am so down to make a pack of committed and studious students willing to get together and study for Biology as we go through this process together.

I am just wondering if any previous extension students have taken the Biology course at Harvard Extension that would love to share some awesome studying tips..especially those who achieved A's in the course? I have the book at home, been started to read the first couple of chapters, and taking notes to prep up for the school year.

Looking forward in meeting you in the fall :soexcited:
 
kinship said:
Hello Friends:

New to SDN.

I will be taking Biology in the Fall 2012 with Prof. Roehig. I am so down to make a pack of committed and studious students willing to get together and study for Biology as we go through this process together.

I am just wondering if any previous extension students have taken the Biology course at Harvard Extension that would love to share some awesome studying tips..especially those who achieved A's in the course? I have the book at home, been started to read the first couple of chapters, and taking notes to prep up for the school year.

Looking forward in meeting you in the fall :soexcited:
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She's a new professor but, if her exams are anything like Prof. Anderson's, you should plan on knowing the slides inside and out.
 
Soco9087 said:
The diploma won't do anything extra for me? At first I thought why not since it doesn't really require anything extra. Upon finding out that health insurance is $1,549 per term so $3,100 for the year and almost impossible to waive doesn't seem worth it to me at this point. Might as well pay $75 for AMSA membership and get their insurance. Hope its possible for me to withdraw from the diploma program.
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I don't understand. Why do you want to withdraw from the diploma program? You're not obligated to buy the insurance, unless I'm missing something? Do you mean withdraw from the diploma program's insurance plan?
 
johnnyscans said:
1 oxford street is the Science Center. B and C are lecture halls within the science center.
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Thank you for the info! I'm going there today to take a look around and check out the campus. This definitely helps 🙂
 
SomedaySoonMM said:
Thank you for the info! I'm going there today to take a look around and check out the campus. This definitely helps 🙂
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You know where harvard station is right. You know how they start the tours there right as you exit the station- I'm pretty sure they yave maps there. Or just ask the workers there in harvard shirts and they'll give you directions. That's what I did when I first got there.

To find the science center- go inside harvard yard and walk right past the john harvard statue so it's on your right. Keep following the path and exit the gated yard area- voila! Huge gray building with two revolving doors- science center. Where all the science craziness goes down.
 
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kinship said:
Hello Friends:

New to SDN.

I will be taking Biology in the Fall 2012 with Prof. Roehig. I am so down to make a pack of committed and studious students willing to get together and study for Biology as we go through this process together.

I am just wondering if any previous extension students have taken the Biology course at Harvard Extension that would love to share some awesome studying tips..especially those who achieved A's in the course? I have the book at home, been started to read the first couple of chapters, and taking notes to prep up for the school year.

Looking forward in meeting you in the fall :soexcited:
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I'll be taking Biology in the Fall too!:laugh: Definitely up for making a study group and if there are people taking Gen Chemistry, we should organise something as well.
 
Also, for you new people. This has been mentioned before but it's worth mentioning again.
Free printing for ext students at two locations. 53 church street extension computer lab and grossman library (third floor sever hall, in the yard).
Bring your current registration and they will give you a card with numbers on it- you will need to present this card each time you enter each facility.

I do all my printing for free on campus.
 
bigbros2 said:
I'll be taking Biology in the Fall too!:laugh: Definitely up for making a study group and if there are people taking Gen Chemistry, we should organise something as well.
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I'll be in bio and ochem. I think the first few weeks of bio and gen chem will overlap well. The first four chapters of the bio text seems like straight chemistry.
I actually think physics electrostatics helped me read the bio text. Coulombs law and that nonsense.
 
PlumbLine said:
I don't understand. Why do you want to withdraw from the diploma program? You're not obligated to buy the insurance, unless I'm missing something? Do you mean withdraw from the diploma program's insurance plan?
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Romney care here requires you to have insurance here if you're a student at least half time. If you are in the diploma program you're more less a degree seeking student so you are required to purchase the student health plan. You can apply waive the insurance, but it seems hard because you need equivalent insurance, but they would still charge you a student health fee.

At least that from what I understand. If you're just taking classes for sponsorship, you just need any health insurance.
 
Soco9087 said:
Romney care here requires you to have insurance here if you're a student at least half time. If you are in the diploma program you're more less a degree seeking student so you are required to purchase the student health plan. You can apply waive the insurance, but it seems hard because you need equivalent insurance, but they would still charge you a student health fee.

At least that from what I understand. If you're just taking classes for sponsorship, you just need any health insurance.
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Oh, interesting. I'm in the diploma program and get insurance through my employer. I've never had to apply to waive the student insurance but maybe that's because I'm on an employer's plan I'm guessing? I didn't know about that rule.

Edit: I also haven't had to pay a "student health fee". Where did you see that requirement?
 
PlumbLine said:
Oh, interesting. I'm in the diploma program and get insurance through my employer. I've never had to apply to waive the student insurance but maybe that's because I'm on an employer's plan I'm guessing? I didn't know about that rule.

Edit: I also haven't had to pay a "student health fee". Where did you see that requirement?
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Probably because you're only required if you take 12+ credit hours. I assuming you haven't before since you work full time.

*Guess its as simple as dropping a class :\, looks like i might not be seeing you in a&p johnny.
 
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Quick question -- once you have been formally admitted, can you get a Harvard ID card for easier access into facilities?
 
Soco9087 said:
Romney care here requires you to have insurance here if you're a student at least half time. If you are in the diploma program you're more less a degree seeking student so you are required to purchase the student health plan. You can apply waive the insurance, but it seems hard because you need equivalent insurance, but they would still charge you a student health fee.

At least that from what I understand. If you're just taking classes for sponsorship, you just need any health insurance.
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Students have been required to maintain some form of health insurance if enrolled more than half-time (as defined by the university you attend) long before the healthcare law took effect. Being in the diploma program isn't what will require you to purchase insurance under state law, but it may be Harvard policy to require you to maintain some form of insurance if you are in a diploma or degree-granting program. State law roughly goes by the number of credits in which one is enrolled.

If you are enrolled at least 3/4-time (which is 12 credits at the Extension School), then you must purchase insurance through the university (not eligible to do so if you are not in a diploma or degree program), or from some other private insurance provider, or through the MA Health Insurance Connector (for MA residents only), none of which are cheap.

If you are enrolled half-time or less and you are a MA resident, then you are eligible for Commonwealth Care or MassHealth.

If your employer offers health insurance that meets the minimum creditable coverage requirements set forth by the law, then you must take the insurance offered by your employer, and are ineligible for Commonwealth Care/MassHealth even if you are enrolled half-time or less.

If you are not a MA resident, and you want health insurance, then you'll need to find it through private insurance, the university, or the MA Health Connector. As was mentioned in previous posts, AMSA offers a good deal.

Here is some light reading on the law regarding health insurance for students in MA: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/insurance/more-programs/student-health-insurance.html
 
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MedWonk said:
If you are enrolled at least 3/4-time (which is 12 credits at the Extension School) and are a MA resident, then you must purchase insurance through the university (not eligible to do so if you are not in a diploma or degree program), or from some other private insurance provider, or through the MA Health Insurance Connector (none of which are cheap).
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Ah thank you, I've never had health insurance before so navigating all of this is confusing. Where did you read about the part in bold? If you could give me the source that would be most helpful.

Thanks
 
Soco9087 said:
Ah thank you, I've never had health insurance before so navigating all of this is confusing. Where did you read about the part in bold? If you could give me the source that would be most helpful.

Thanks
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The reason I wrote it is because plans through the MA Health Connector are for MA residents only, and when you enroll, they often ask for proof of residency. I should have clarified that all students enrolled at least 3/4 time are required to have health insurance regardless of residency status. It's just that non-residents technically can't get plans through the Health Connector.

MA has no set standards for what constitutes residency, but anecdotal experience suggests being a student with no real ties to the state, nor intention to stay long-term, does not make one a resident. Students seem to lose out on proving residency unless they've been employed and paying taxes in the state for significant a amount of time (at least a year, perhaps?), and can prove that they live in MA.

The answer to most questions regarding residency seems to be "It depends".

Here's a more official blurb on that: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciswel/weltomas.htm#res

More stuff:
I found this site which gives a more concrete idea of what constitutes MA residency as far as health insurance goes. It's all the way at the bottom of the page.
https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector/menuitem.afc6a36a62ec1a50dbef6f47d7468a0c/?fiShown=default
 
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My physics book officially came in today and I'm already nervous haha...since it's been my worst subject to date so far. Anyone else taking the physics/chem this semester and want to have a group study? Let me know!
 
mdanitka said:
My physics book officially came in today and I'm already nervous haha...since it's been my worst subject to date so far. Anyone else taking the physics/chem this semester and want to have a group study? Let me know!
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I'm doing bio, gen chem, and physics and am definitely down for some study groups. Maybe we should figure out a good meeting place after the first class to exchange numbers/email addresses so we can coordinate good times for everyone.
 
MedWonk said:
The reason I wrote it is because plans through the MA Health Connector are for MA residents only, and when you enroll, they often ask for proof of residency. I should have clarified that all students enrolled at least 3/4 time are required to have health insurance regardless of residency status. It's just that non-residents technically can't get plans through the Health Connector.

MA has no set standards for what constitutes residency, but anecdotal experience suggests being a student with no real ties to the state, nor intention to stay long-term, does not make one a resident. Students seem to lose out on proving residency unless they've been employed and paying taxes in the state for significant a amount of time (at least a year, perhaps?), and can prove that they live in MA.

The answer to most questions regarding residency seems to be "It depends".

Here's a more official blurb on that: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciswel/weltomas.htm#res

More stuff:
I found this site which gives a more concrete idea of what constitutes MA residency as far as health insurance goes. It's all the way at the bottom of the page.
https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector/menuitem.afc6a36a62ec1a50dbef6f47d7468a0c/?fiShown=default
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Thank, I just ended up dropping a class and forgoing the requirement. Pain in the ass, but I can't shell out $3k for what seems like ridiculously expensive insurance.
 
Doc4Runner said:
I'm doing bio, gen chem, and physics and am definitely down for some study groups. Maybe we should figure out a good meeting place after the first class to exchange numbers/email addresses so we can coordinate good times for everyone.
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I am game too, and I think surviving the torture together can only help. I'm in physics and gen chem as well.
 
To all people taking physics: make use of the course message board on your physe1a website. Ask a lot of questions on there and read others' questions. Prof. Rueckner and the TFs do a great job at answer all the questions asked in a timely fashion. Ask questions about demonstrations and concepts you didn't understand in lecture and ask questions about difficult hw problems. Don't be shy! Use the message board! I wish we had an open forum for all the classes.
 
I will def keep an eye out for that board and ask(probably an obnoxious amount of questions). Thanks for the tip! Does anyone know what textbooks to get yet for chem???
 
My advice for physics: do everything in your power to do extremely well on the first exam.

The lowest of your two midterms (unless something changes) will be dropped. Nothing is worse than having to scramble uphill for the last 2/3rds of a semester.

Come out of the gate with a bang.
 
If anyone is interested, Widener carrel reservations are open. I just got mine on the 6th floor by the Middle East stacks. As a general rule, the 3rd floor can be a bit noisy as the grad program libraries are there as well as the reading areas in the stacks.
 
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Jennet said:
If anyone is interested, Widener carrel reservations are open. I just got mine on the 6th floor by the Middle East stacks. As a general rule, the 3rd floor can be a bit noisy as the grad program libraries are there as well as the reading areas in the stacks.
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Is this for diploma candidates only? The website asks you to select your status from the following options: grad student, senior undergraduate, or faculty/officer/research assistant.
https://hcl.harvard.edu:8001/forms/requests/widener_carrel.cfm
 
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you can get a card with reading privileges for widener. when you walk in the front entrance, turn left, and show them your course schedule. they will give you a card for the semester.
 
johnnyscans said:
My advice for physics: do everything in your power to do extremely well on the first exam.

The lowest of your two midterms (unless something changes) will be dropped. Nothing is worse than having to scramble uphill for the last 2/3rds of a semester.

Come out of the gate with a bang.
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Any solid advice for chemistry?


Are there any diploma candidates here that take 12+ credit hours and have waived the school insurance and health fee?
 
Soco9087 said:
Any solid advice for chemistry?


Are there any diploma candidates here that take 12+ credit hours and have waived the school insurance and health fee?
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Practice problems, practice problems, practice problems. When you don't get a problem, ask for help, then come back to it later and make sure you understand the reasoning/concepts required to solve that problem. You should be able to explain the the reasoning/concepts that led you to the solution in words. If you can do that, you should be golden for the exam. It's kind of like physics, but easier.
 
MedWonk said:
Practice problems, practice problems, practice problems. When you don't get a problem, ask for help, then come back to it later and make sure you understand the reasoning/concepts required to solve that problem. You should be able to explain the the reasoning/concepts that led you to the solution in words. If you can do that, you should be golden for the exam. It's kind of like physics, but easier.
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This. Do every problem (HW, friday, practice, old exams) that is provided to you.

Attend lecture.

Watch/attend Friday review.

Profit.
 
Hello All!

I wonder if I might ask your advice on something. I'm an incoming HCP student with an undergraduate degree in religion and a master of theological studies from the div school (ie. hardcore humanities background). I haven't done science pretty much since high school so I know it will be quite different, but I am used to taking a lot of courses and putting in a lot of time and energy and hard work to classes.

I was wondering if you think it would be nuts to do the program in one year rather than two (ie. chem, bio, and phys fall and spring, then orgo and MCAT the summer after). I'm considering this for several reasons.

1. The MCAT is changing, and I'd rather take a test I know exactly how to prepare for. I would rather take one with the writing section, as that's really one of my greatest strengths, and I'd rather take something I can buy study materials for.

2. If I take the MCAT right after I take all the courses, I'd be more likely to remember the information.

3. It sounds a little bit crazy to me to spend 3 years preparing for a 4 year degree (albeit one with a **** ton of extra training afterwards). I haven't met a single doctor that has said that the physics or chem they learned in pre-med classes has been essential to their practice, so I kind of want to get it over with ASAP. This is obviously more of a preference than a real reason.

Reasons to do it in two years:

1. Sanity

2. Sanity

3. I'd have more time to supplement my application in the areas I have zero experience in (ie. volunteering and research). I work as a scribe in an ED so I have plenty of clinical experience but I have no research and little to no volunteer experiences. This seems kind of important.

4. Sanity

So what do you guys think? I kind of just want to get it over with, but it is also very important to me to do very well and get into somewhere I can be proud of. I guess any advice, especially from those of you currently in the program (especially if you have a humanities background!!!) would be greatly appreciated while I consider my options.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!
:help:
 
ReligionMD said:
I haven't met a single doctor that has said that the physics or chem they learned in pre-med classes has been essential to their practice, so I kind of want to get it over with ASAP. This is obviously more of a preference than a real reason.
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Then you gave spoken to the wrong people. Two examples: We used the henderson-hasselbach equation in both biochem and physiology, and we used flow-dynamics in physiology in terms of blood pressure and renal filtration...

So - as annoying as it is at the time, you will use most of it. Electrical circuits not so much....
 
johnnyscans said:
This. Do every problem (HW, friday, practice, old exams) that is provided to you.

Attend lecture.

Watch/attend Friday review.

Profit.
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All of these are great points. Friday review is EXTREMELY important. The head TF Justin writes the tests and teaches the Friday review sessions so you find a similar style and approach to problems. Here is my routine:

1) Attend class Thursdays and answer clicker questions (your attendance in class means your 2 lowest HW's become 100. This may be helpful for homeworks you turn in on weeks you have Physics tests or other obligations preventing you from getting a high score.
2) Attend Friday Review
3) During the week: go to lab, do practice problems in your section book, review homework and Friday Review, go to section with questions on practice problems and homework, do homework, turn in homework on time!
4) Rinse, repeat.

Here are some personal tips I found useful:
- Sections are best on Monday in my opinion. This gives you ample time to discuss homework issues and practice problems before you have to turn in work on Thursday. I had Wednesday section and stuck with it for my TF (I loved her), but found myself frequently scrambling to complete the problems I was confused on. This would be done Wednesday PM or Thursday on my lunch at work.
- Get a study group or find people to compare your answers with period. Cabot is a good place to meet with people from class and usually there are students working on the second level.
- GO TO CLASS. Tucci is interesting and a fabulous teacher
- GO TO FRIDAY REVIEW or watch the video
- Do every single practice exam before tests. Do them twice. Do them in test like conditions. You'll get a sense of how Justin structures tests and they are tests from previous years.
- Tucci loves to answer questions. Ask them.
- Do homework early
- Buy the practice problem book from the printer. It is SO easy to get lazy and not print out the practice problems. I am keeping mine for MCAT study and it is wonderful to have a resource with problems I learned and worked.

Then you win Chemistry!
 
ReligionMD said:
Hello All!

I wonder if I might ask your advice on something. I'm an incoming HCP student with an undergraduate degree in religion and a master of theological studies from the div school (ie. hardcore humanities background). I haven't done science pretty much since high school so I know it will be quite different, but I am used to taking a lot of courses and putting in a lot of time and energy and hard work to classes.

I was wondering if you think it would be nuts to do the program in one year rather than two (ie. chem, bio, and phys fall and spring, then orgo and MCAT the summer after). I'm considering this for several reasons.

1. The MCAT is changing, and I'd rather take a test I know exactly how to prepare for. I would rather take one with the writing section, as that's really one of my greatest strengths, and I'd rather take something I can buy study materials for.

2. If I take the MCAT right after I take all the courses, I'd be more likely to remember the information.

3. It sounds a little bit crazy to me to spend 3 years preparing for a 4 year degree (albeit one with a **** ton of extra training afterwards). I haven't met a single doctor that has said that the physics or chem they learned in pre-med classes has been essential to their practice, so I kind of want to get it over with ASAP. This is obviously more of a preference than a real reason.

Reasons to do it in two years:

1. Sanity

2. Sanity

3. I'd have more time to supplement my application in the areas I have zero experience in (ie. volunteering and research). I work as a scribe in an ED so I have plenty of clinical experience but I have no research and little to no volunteer experiences. This seems kind of important.

4. Sanity

So what do you guys think? I kind of just want to get it over with, but it is also very important to me to do very well and get into somewhere I can be proud of. I guess any advice, especially from those of you currently in the program (especially if you have a humanities background!!!) would be greatly appreciated while I consider my options.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!
:help:
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HES courses are not easy. Physics can be a brutal course, especially if you don't have a solid science background. That + Chem + Bio will leave very little time for anything else (like volunteering, which you need to start doing NOW). As you know, you need to protect your GPA at all costs. Jumping into 12 credits of very real, very hard science when you have a limited science background sounds like GPA suicide. Summer classes are *****ng nuts; their are taught at breakneck pace and you will not have time for any concurrent MCAT studying.

But . . .

Let's say you do it in one year. Orgo ends in early August and let's assume you're a genius and can prepare for your MCAT in one month. That means an early Sept. test date and an early Oct. receipt of your scores. Applying this late is extremely disadvantageous for many reasons. Also, your planned schedule leaves very little time for ECs, especially if you're not confident in your ability to handle a heavy science cousework. I took 12 credits this past spring (Phys, Chem, Cell Bio), volunteered in my lab 30+ hrs a week and volunteered in the ED 3 hrs a week and barely had time to breathe. It is NOT easy, and I'm a self-described science wiz.

My advice, take two years. Your sanity, GPA and MCAT score will thank you for it. You'll have time for electives, ECs and to really learn the material.
 
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ReligionMD said:
Hello All!

I wonder if I might ask your advice on something. I'm an incoming HCP student with an undergraduate degree in religion and a master of theological studies from the div school (ie. hardcore humanities background). I haven't done science pretty much since high school so I know it will be quite different, but I am used to taking a lot of courses and putting in a lot of time and energy and hard work to classes.

I was wondering if you think it would be nuts to do the program in one year rather than two (ie. chem, bio, and phys fall and spring, then orgo and MCAT the summer after). I'm considering this for several reasons.

1. The MCAT is changing, and I'd rather take a test I know exactly how to prepare for. I would rather take one with the writing section, as that's really one of my greatest strengths, and I'd rather take something I can buy study materials for.

2. If I take the MCAT right after I take all the courses, I'd be more likely to remember the information.

3. It sounds a little bit crazy to me to spend 3 years preparing for a 4 year degree (albeit one with a **** ton of extra training afterwards). I haven't met a single doctor that has said that the physics or chem they learned in pre-med classes has been essential to their practice, so I kind of want to get it over with ASAP. This is obviously more of a preference than a real reason.

Reasons to do it in two years:

1. Sanity

2. Sanity

3. I'd have more time to supplement my application in the areas I have zero experience in (ie. volunteering and research). I work as a scribe in an ED so I have plenty of clinical experience but I have no research and little to no volunteer experiences. This seems kind of important.

4. Sanity

So what do you guys think? I kind of just want to get it over with, but it is also very important to me to do very well and get into somewhere I can be proud of. I guess any advice, especially from those of you currently in the program (especially if you have a humanities background!!!) would be greatly appreciated while I consider my options.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!
:help:
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You do realize that no matter what you will not get the MCAT writing section, right? It is being removed from all tests starting January 2013. One year or two, writing is a thing of the past.
 
Ahhh that really sucks. Writing is essential and I think doctors should be required to do it.

That being said - thanks for your advice, guys! I think I'll just do it in two years as everybody recommends. You guys are so helpful!
 
ReligionMD said:
Ahhh that really sucks. Writing is essential and I think doctors should be required to do it.

That being said - thanks for your advice, guys! I think I'll just do it in two years as everybody recommends. You guys are so helpful!
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Personal statement and secondary essays are much better indicators of your writing skill.
 
Hey Johnnyscans, not to troll, but I disagree. Personal statements and essays showcase your ability to proofread and organize your thoughts.

Writing for a standardized, timed exam tests your ability to think on your feet. and I think is a better indicator of intelligence, ability to argue, and ability to articulate complex thoughts quickly and efficiently.

I guess we can agree to disagree 🙂
 
ReligionMD said:
Hey Johnnyscans, not to troll, but I disagree. Personal statements and essays showcase your ability to proofread and organize your thoughts.

Writing for a standardized, timed exam tests your ability to think on your feet. and I think is a better indicator of intelligence, ability to argue, and ability to articulate complex thoughts quickly and efficiently.

I guess we can agree to disagree 🙂
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Amen to your last line (no pun intended)
 
Does anyone know any good real estates that I could have a look into in Cambridge? I'm still having trouble finding a house and I get almost no replies from people listings on Craigslist.
 
bigbros2 said:
Does anyone know any good real estates that I could have a look into in Cambridge? I'm still having trouble finding a house and I get almost no replies from people listings on Craigslist.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't have any leads. Are you looking for a Sept 1st. move-in?

You seriously may not be able to get a place in Cambridge at this point. Most of the good stuff was swooped up months ago. I signed for my place in Somerville in May.
 
bigbros2 said:
I'll be taking Biology in the Fall too!:laugh: Definitely up for making a study group and if there are people taking Gen Chemistry, we should organise something as well.
Click to expand...

Gen Chem and Bio, too. Count me in for study groups . . .
 
bigbros2 said:
Does anyone know any good real estates that I could have a look into in Cambridge? I'm still having trouble finding a house and I get almost no replies from people listings on Craigslist.
Click to expand...

Are you currently in MA? I had a hard time last year as well when I was trying to line up a place from out of state. I got to Cambridge on August 17 and found a place within 3 days. It was really hard to find a place even when I was in town. And it was VERY stressful omg. The place I ended up signing was way out of my original price range. You have to be extremely diligent at checking CL, sending emails, and making calls. Try to expand your search criteria and cast a wide net, and only look at ads that were posted within the last 24 hours. Anything posted before that has already been signed 99% of the time.
Also call a bunch of agents that you see on CL and tell them that you're a motivated renter for 9/1. Most of them won't have anything but there's always a chance that they will come across something.
Be ready to sign. The place I rented was listed on CL at 11:00 am, I saw it at 12:00 and committed to it, because another person was coming to see it at 12:30. It's an aggressive market. Good luck!
 
PlumbLine said:
Are you currently in MA? I had a hard time last year as well when I was trying to line up a place from out of state. I got to Cambridge on August 17 and found a place within 3 days. It was really hard to find a place even when I was in town. And it was VERY stressful omg. The place I ended up signing was way out of my original price range. You have to be extremely diligent at checking CL, sending emails, and making calls. Try to expand your search criteria and cast a wide net, and only look at ads that were posted within the last 24 hours. Anything posted before that has already been signed 99% of the time.
Also call a bunch of agents that you see on CL and tell them that you're a motivated renter for 9/1. Most of them won't have anything but there's always a chance that they will come across something.
Be ready to sign. The place I rented was listed on CL at 11:00 am, I saw it at 12:00 and committed to it, because another person was coming to see it at 12:30. It's an aggressive market. Good luck!
Click to expand...

This. Couldn't have said it better myself.
 
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