Harvard Extension School Premedical Program: My Experience
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 бер 2021
- A short video reviewing my experience at Harvard's Post-Bac Premedical program. Please let me know if you have any other questions by commenting, messaging, or subscribing. I'd be happy to make another video addressing any questions!
Tbh, I still don't understand why are there no videos on youtube regarding this topic?
After digging so deep, I found only 2-3 alumni sharing their experience.
Thanks for making this video!
I don't know either... that's why I wanted to make the video because I couldn't believe there weren't more videos on the topic. I hope it helped!
This is exactly what I was hoping to find, personal experiences with HES! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your experience!! This was super helpful 🙂🙏🏼
Thanks so much Nikki ;) glad it was helpful ;)
I've been looking for videos like this for months! Thanks for posting and congratulations!!!
Thanks so much for watching!! I know it was so frustrating when I was applying because there were no videos like this! No problem at all! Good luck to you if you are applying!
@@medicalmillennial5807 thank you! I'm considering a graduate program, but this was very helpful anyway!
@@tatiad9505 No problem! Best of luck to you :D
Finding out that Harvard offered the best choice for my concentration I was surprised. Your video has inspired me to pursue this attempt to do my graduate work there. Have to admit the name sounds good and thought it was impossible to enter such a school at this point in my life but to hear first its tops in my field of study and then to have you confirm that the "value" was par excellence, (when you think Harvard you can't really think money), but how you have confirmed that it of the highest quality makes it the best thing I could probably do educationally! Thanks, big time.
That's great! Congrats on making that decision! Let me know what your experience is like once you start! Very glad to hear that the video helped!
Thank you so much for sharing this info!
No problem! Glad you found it useful!
Wow thank you just found this out few days ago..... this video is very helpful
No problem at all! Glad to hear it was helpful! Goodluck if you are applying!
Hi! Thank you for sharing this video! Can you talk about your application process for the post-bacc program?
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it! For sure... do you have any questions specifically? Generally speaking it was pretty straightforward. You need to write an essay explaining why you want to prepare for a career in medicine, an updated resume, and your transcripts. When I applied you needed Letters of Rec as well, but not sure if that is still the case. Then you go through their online application process and wait! They make it pretty easy and straightforward. Can't recommend it enough.
Thank You for this great video
Thanks for the comment! I hope it helped!
Thank you so much for making this video. I was stumped over a few post-bac programs and your video helped me decide which program to choose! While you listed great points regarding the program, were there any downfalls or parts you didn't like? I'm super happy to hear they help prepare with the MCAT process (I noticed their website outlines it), but I wasn't sure how focused it would be. Does the program provide any assistance to those that have ADHD, or other disabilities such as extended time for exams? I noticed that they have an individualized advisor, which is amazing! Did you find it easy to talk to professors and build a good relationship with peers and professors?
Hey there! No problem at all, so glad it helped! Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment!
Honestly, there weren't really any downfalls at all. The only thing that comes to mind is that they do not require two semesters of organic chemistry, which can be a problem I have run into a few times when applying to med schools, because many still require two semesters. So you might end up having to take Orgo II and Statistics over the summer or something. Other than that, nothing comes to mind!
As far as the ADHD goes, I don't know for sure (so don't hold me to this) but if I remember correctly, I do believe that people with certain disabilities were offered extended exam time. I would call and find out just to be sure!
And for your last question, yes absolutely. It was very easy to talk to the professors and build good relationships with peers. Granted, I also was in the program pre-COVID for the most part, but I would say there are still plenty of opportunities for that even online.
And about the advising - so your advisor will likely be the director of the program, who is great. But you do have to make the effort to reach out to them on your own and seek help/guidance as you need it. They are there to basically just point you in the right direction.
All great questions, and thank you! Hope this helps! Sorry for the delayed response... I've been very busy with applications!
@@medicalmillennial5807 Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my questions! It means a lot to me.
I actually reached out to them and they were super helpful with guiding me to the disability services and their recommendations.
Hope the application process is going well :) Good luck to you!!!
No problem at all! I hope it helps! Best of luck to you in the program!
Thanks for sharing your experience. This is exactly what i was looking for when i was applying. I recently found out I was accepted into the program. I was wondering what you think about completing it in either 1 year (starting with summer chem) or in 2? Also, what kind of clinical work do you recommend to support yourself financially in Boston? Rent isn’t cheap! My assumption is most people do research? Thanks again!
No problem, and thanks for watching! Congrats on your acceptance!! That's super exciting! It will be a great time for sure.
So as far as 1-vs-2 years, it's definitely dependent on whether or not you work while you're in school, as well as how good you are at efficiently studying. I would also say that your level of scientific knowledge upon starting the program is also a significant factor. The 1-vs-2 year decision will ultimately be highly personal/relative!
Personally, I had a decent scientific background when I began the program, but I worked full time and my study skills definitely weren't up-to-par at first (but that quickly changed). From what I know, I think it is highly recommended to complete the program in 2 years instead of 1. Anecdotally, I didn't meet a single person who opted for the 1 year option during my time in the program. These classes are intense (to say the least) and taking 3 or 4 a semester would be brutal, especially if you are working. Don't forget that each course has a lab as well! Maybe start out with the standard course load and ramp up if you feel you can handle it! I would say don't potentially sacrifice your grades for the sake of finishing a year sooner.
As far as clinical work goes, the program coordinators regularly email the students enrolled in the Premedical Program with local research position opportunities. Not sure if you're from Boston or not, but since there are so many major hospitals in the city, there are definitely plenty of opportunities. You could financially "squeeze by" with some roommates on a Research Assistant/Tech salary, but money will be tight! Personally, I did not live in the city - I commuted from an hour outside of Boston. And yes you would be correct - most people I met had some sort of full or part time research job - myself included.
Hope that helps! Happy to answer any other questions.
Thank you for this enlightening video. You were very helpful! Are you in med school now? Also, how long did it take you to complete the entire program?
No problem! Thanks for watching and commenting! I am not in med school now, but I have been accepted and will be starting next year! I'll make a video on the results of my application cycle soon! Just waiting to hear back from all the programs I applied to! And it took me 2 years to complete the program, which is what they suggest. If you really want to finish early, you could do it in 1.5 years. Hope that helps!
Hi again. Sorry if this is a random question. Did you take biology with Dr. Roehrig? If so, can you comment on your experience in the class? I have heard mixed reviews and am considering taking bio elsewhere. Thanks!
No problem! I did take Biology with Dr. Roehrig. In terms of course difficulty, she will be very honest with you in stating that the class is a lot of work, and fairly difficult. However, I feel that her class prepared me BY FAR the most for medical school. She is an excellent teacher and honestly cares about the quality of her students education (which is quite rare these day). She has plenty of office hours and is very accessible. If you are willing to put the work in, you can get a good grade. Personally, I think you'd be doing yourself an long-term disservice by taking the course elsewhere. You will truly "learn how to learn" in her class. She was one my favorite professors in the program. That being said, everyone's situation is different, and maybe you already have your study habits down and just need a "guaranteed" A in bio, which I get!
Hello. First of all thanks for the video. I am wondering after this experience from Harvard Extension, if you personally got accepted to any medical/ DO school afterwards? Thank you
No problem! Thanks for the comment! So I was actually going to make a video on this in a few weeks, so I'll keep it brief, but the short answer is yes. I am currently accepted to a DO school. I hate to do this to you, but check out my next video for more details! I was planning on doing an "application cycle update" video for my next. I hope that helps for now! Still waiting to hear back from many schools, so I could potentially have more acceptances as well
Hey! I will be looking into applying for this program this month and wanted to reach out to you to ask if you had any tips for writing the introduction essay? And how many people are in the actual program?
Hey! Thanks for watching! Your asking about the personal statement, correct? And I'm not sure exactly... I actually never asked! But I'm under the impression it's around a 150-200ish!
@@medicalmillennial5807 Hi, I am also curious -- Do you have any tips for writing the 500 word personal statement? Do you have a sense of what admissions committees are looking for?
@@afrahboateng2070 Of course! The topic of the essay is "Why do you want to prepare for a career in the medical field?" So I wrote about just that! I'm sure all their looking for is a well-written essay within their 500 word limit that adequately conveys exactly why you want to be a doctor (or dentist, vet, etc). Personally, I wrote about my motivation for wanting to be a doctor as well as the life experiences that ultimately led me to make that decision. Just focus on being your authentic self and explaining your journey!
Were the class sizes really large? Thank you so much for the video - very helpful
Hi, and thank you for the comment! Yeah so since every class is offered only once a week (generally) each lecture has about 70 people in it (if I had to estimate). However, labs are only 20-25 people and every class offers review sessions and small group learning opportunities. So each course is much more than just the lecture. There is lecture, weekly review, small group learning, and then labs, and office hours if you want to attend
@@medicalmillennial5807 thank you so much!
Happy to help!
Hello! Thanks for sharing your experience, do you know how much the post bacc costs compared to the other ones?
Sorry for the late response! When I attended, it was much cheaper than a lot of others! I don't remember exact numbers!
Did you have a havard convocation ceremony for this program?
Great question. I actually don't know the answer because I graduated during the beggining of the COVID pandemic! We were invited to join the virtual convocation ceremony, but I'm not sure if Premedical students are invited to the real thing!
I cant find an answer to this question online, what are the odds you could answer it?
It maybe is a dumb question, but how long does it take to complete the degree from the extension school. Its primarily for working adults, so do they slow it down? Is it speed up and condensed? Can you work at your own speed, whats the expected time frame?
No question is a dumb question! I'll actually be making a video answering all questions next week. So leave any others and I'll answer them then!
@@medicalmillennial5807 I'll subscribe and ring the bell looking forward to the Q/A
Thanks for the subscribe! Much appreciated! Should be out by Weds or Thurs. The weekend the latest..
@@medicalmillennial5807 Ill tell you the biggest reason Im so interested in this video is how recent it is, its so relevant to anyone looking in the "college niche" right now because its HES and you JUST went through it. All other "my experience" vids if any about HES are kinda old.
In fact this was in my recommended and its so much more relevant than the others.
Wow, thanks for the feedback man! I really appreciate that. That's cool to know it was in your recommended videos! Hopefully it was helpful and hopeful the sequel will also be helpful!
So the program prepares you for medical school?
Yes! It allows you to complete the prerequisites required to apply to most medical schools. Personally, it really helped me develop my study/time management skills, which I think will be super important for medical school.
Can you do some online? How long was ir? Are they 8 weekd or 16 week classes
I'm not sure how things are now, but when I was there, classes were in-person. Each class was regular semester length - 15/16 weeks
We’re you able to get any research hours there?
I actually already had a job in research before I started, but there are so many opportunities for research in Boston. None directly through the post-bac program, but the advisors send the students local research gigs they can apply for through email. I would think that there wouldn't be a problem finding research opportunities in Boston
Hey. Should I study post bacc along with bachelor's degree or after that? And what's post bacc duration?
Hey, thanks for the comment! So a post-bac is a program specifically designed for people who already have their bachelor's degree. Usually people only enroll in them to complete prerequisites they did not complete as part of their bachelor's degree, or if they need to fix their GPA.
As far as duration, usually they are 2 years, but some are 1!
@@medicalmillennial5807 Can you please let me know which is the best major and minor to choose in undergraduate that we can fulfill our Pre requisites of medical school?
Most people choose Biology, chemistry, neuroscience, subjects like that. But you don't have to choose a science major to get into medical school! At least not in the US. You can choose any major and then select the prerequisites as electives. Many med schools actually like when students aren't science majors because you can add diversity to their student body!
@@medicalmillennial5807 Do top Medical Schools like Harvard, Columbia etc care about which university we went for undergraduate or Pre medical? I mean does undergrad universities prestige matter?
That's the age old question! I'll be honest... I dont really know. I'm not sure anyone really knows except those schools themselves. But I don't think they filter applicants based on that or anything. However, having an Ivy league degree will certainly not hurt your chances!
Are going to apply for Harvard medical school when you’re finished?
Hey! Thanks for watching! I'm certainly applying, but from what I'm told, going through the program doesn't necessarily improve your chances of getting into Harvard Medical School. But I'll "shoot my shot," for sure!
You should definitely go for it! I think Harvard medical school has different programs too, u should apply to as many as you can.
@@maxmatte7649 I appreciate that! I'll definitely be giving Harvard Med my best shot, but not banking on it, haha
@@medicalmillennial5807 if it doesn’t work out will you be applying to other Ivy med schools.??
@@maxmatte7649 Sure! Why not, right?
Did you get into med school?
Yes sir I did
Do you know their medical school acceptance rate?
I know that 85% of sponsored students get into medical school on average. But I do not know the rate for unsponsered students!
Thanks for the comment!
@@medicalmillennial5807 what do you mean by sponsored & how much was the tuition? They have very little information online.
Yes it can be confusing to find the info! So when you enroll in the program you are eligible for sponsorship if you earn a certain GPA in the program based off of your undergraduate GPA. Sponsored students have around an 85% acceptance rate from what I've heard.
Tuition was about $13,500 for the whole program. I think you can see the cost for each course on the Harvard Extension School course catalog!
Maybe I should make another video answering all of these questions!
If you have any other questions, I'm happy to answer.
@@medicalmillennial5807 yes, that would be extremely helpful. Sponsorship is based off original undergrad gpa or program gpa?
@@medicalmillennial5807 lastly, do they offer mcat prep courses?
I think I have crush on you 😌💚
Please are there financial aids for the extension school
Yes! I think you can get financial aid as long as you are enrolled in an actual program. At least that's the case with the Premed program. You should be able to find that info on the website!