Harvard Extension Admissions/Poetry In America

[mog538]

I see that the registration has opened for the summer school poetry courses run by Harvard Extension and Poetry in America and I was ready to jump in and enrol when I read the admissions requirements for the Creative Writing and Literature Master's program and I was hoping some of the members here who had followed this path may be able to share some advice.

I see the requirements for the Master's program are the two courses: "HUMA 101 Proseminar: Elements of the Writer's Craft" and "Advanced fiction writing". Do I need to complete these two courses before any others or is it possible to take the poetry courses now, then the two admissions courses and have all four eligible for credit towards the degree path?

[natshar]

I see that the registration has opened for the summer school poetry courses run by Harvard Extension and Poetry in America and I was ready to jump in and enrol when I read the admissions requirements for the Creative Writing and Literature Master's program and I was hoping some of the members here who had followed this path may be able to share some advice.

I see the requirements for the Master's program are the two courses: "HUMA 101 Proseminar: Elements of the Writer's Craft" and "Advanced fiction writing". Do I need to complete these two courses before any others or is it possible to take the poetry courses now, then the two admissions courses and have all four eligible for credit towards the degree path?

They still have that. How much is the cost is it still $250 a course?

[mog538]

The cost was increased to $1000 per course a while back.

[DIGI-212]

Your 5-year completion timeline starts when you complete two courses  HES recommends these two be the required courses to be admitted (HUMA191 & Adv.  Friction). Here are quotes from the degree page https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/graduate-degrees/creative-writing-literature-degree/degree-requirements
“Don't delay! It is critical to your successful admission and degree completion to prioritize the two degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. We have fall, spring, and summer admission cycles.”
“You have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any two degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program. Moreover, courses over 5 years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree.“

[mog538]

Thanks Digi, I had seen that but still curious if there is the possibility of completing the other courses first. With the previous discount to $250 I imagine some people jumped on those as their first Extension School courses. I would hate to postpone taking these two courses then find their price reduction is removed by the next time I am able to take them.

Also, when I first posted I had not seen either of the two recommended courses in the course catalogue for summer but after some poking around I have found them but many are already wait listed. I will have to contact the Extension School to see what they say I suppose.

[ReyMysterioso]

From what I've been able to figure out from both the website/policies and from talking to admissions on the phone is that you can take those PIA courses now, and if you take the required gatekeeper courses, get into the program officially and roll in classes you've already taken, you would have to pay a $300 "late fee." 
As with all other second-hand information, I do not set the policies or know anything 100% for sure...so check yourself with admissions to make sure your plan is right for you...(and then let me know what they say, 'cause I'm trying to do the same thing!)

[mog538]

Thanks Raycathode, that doesn't sound too bad, even if it is $300 per course, it would still be less than half the price of the normal Extension School course fees.

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, so what's the total and where's the link to sign up? Each time I go to the pages, it's $1000 still... Is the only way to call them?

[mog538]

BJCheung, I did not word my last post very well, the course is still $1000, I was referring to the additional "late" fee that may be imposed by taking any courses before the two that are required for admissions and then assuming the total of $1300 per course.

[mudball]

I copied this from the Harvard Extension School website. "A nonrefundable $100 fee is required to begin the application. You will be assessed an additional $300 delayed application fee if you have earned grades in more than four courses toward the graduate degree before applying."
My son applied yesterday. One of the questions on the application was; have you completed more than four courses toward your degree? Since the application periods are in the middle of the semesters, any courses you are currently enrolled in should not count toward the four courses. He has completed three courses and is currently enrolled in two more. His application fee was $100.
It also sounds like just an additional $300 total, not per course, if you are over the four course limit.