What I've Learned So Far in Grad School

[sanantone]

Although, I've that most of the instructors at the Extension School don't really teach at the other Harvard schools. With Harvard Extension,

Her "poor grades" earned her almost a full ride btw.  

I think you misunderstood my post. I did not say that everyone who attends Harvard Extension has poor grades. I said that it's an option for those who don't have the grades to get into a high-ranking college.

By the way, schools within universities are ranked. It looks like I'm not the one who is factually wrong and spreading myths. You might want to do your own research first before you try to correct someone. 

https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-sch...a-rankings

[Life Long Learning]

I rarely agree with sanatone, but Individual programs and schools within a University are ranked. She is correct.

[studiousimp]

Thank you, corpsole2, for this inspiring share. Sometimes it's easy to forget that within this community of extraordinary education "hackers" exists the potential to change trajectories as you have. I'm inspired and grateful for the reminder.

I want to say something, as well, about HES. I recommended HES to my niece who had not performed to her potential in college. She took the opportunity at Harvard Extwnsion School seriously, working and living with her parents, saving everything for a year and moving to Boston. It's a different way than we generally consider here but it was a phenomenal opportunity. Through her Biology program she did stem cell research and ultimately assisted in running a lab for one of the top researchers in that field. She also ran for and was elected to the Harvard graduate student government along with students from the Business, Law and Medical schools because Extension is one of the grad schools. And finally, upon graduation she got the kind of job that would never have considered her before all these experiences and accomplishments so while it's not the way many of us can or will use our Big Three degrees, it IS possible and, just like this thread about a world-class experience at Hopkins, it's achievable... not for everyone, but for some.

[sanantone]

Thank you, corpsole2, for this inspiring share. Sometimes it's easy to forget that within this community of extraordinary education "hackers" exists the potential to change trajectories as you have. I'm inspired and grateful for the reminder.

I want to say something, as well, about HES. I recommended HES to my niece who had not performed to her potential in college. She took the opportunity at Harvard Extwnsion School seriously, working and living with her parents, saving everything for a year and moving to Boston. It's a different way than we generally consider here but it was a phenomenal opportunity. Through her Biology program she did stem cell research and ultimately assisted in running a lab for one of the top researchers in that field. She also ran for and was elected to the Harvard graduate student government along with students from the Business, Law and Medical schools because Extension is one of the grad schools. And finally, upon graduation she got the kind of job that would never have considered her before all these experiences and accomplishments so while it's not the way many of us can or will use our Big Three degrees, it IS possible and, just like this thread about a world-class experience at Hopkins, it's achievable... not for everyone, but for some.

I think young people should definitely take advantage of family support when they have it. People who have family support are very fortunate. Some people either don't have living parents or don't have the option to live with their parents. I fell into the latter category and later into the former. Fortunately for my younger sister, she was able to live with me while she went to a traditional public university, saved a lot on rent, and didn't have much debt upon graduation. I had to be the breadwinner and support both of us on less than $24,000 per year along with the little bit of money she made from her part-time job, but I'm glad that I was able to give my younger sister that opportunity.  

Unfortunately, I now make a whole lot more than she does even though I earned my bachelor's and master's online at Podunk State Universities, but things don't always turn out as planned. 

[studiousimp]

I think young people should definitely take advantage of family support when they have it. People who have family support are very fortunate. Some people either don't have living parents or don't have the option to live with their parents. I fell into the latter category and later into the former. Fortunately for my younger sister, she was able to live with me while she went to a traditional public university, saved a lot on rent, and didn't have much debt upon graduation. I had to be the breadwinner and support both of us on less than $24,000 per year along with the little bit of money she made from her part-time job, but I'm glad that I was able to give my younger sister that opportunity.  

Unfortunately, I now make a whole lot more than she does even though I earned my bachelor's and master's online at Podunk State Universities, but things don't always turn out as planned. 

Yep. Life happens, things aren't fair, opportunities are easier to take advantage of with resources and support (they're also easier with excellent health and a sense of optimism). But those aren't the only conditions under which great things can be achieved. If they were, many of us would be utterly, thoroughly scr*wed.

What's inspiring to me is the fact that our Podunk, no-name regionally accredited degrees are keys that can open doors to these extraordinary experiences and opportunities through some of the most venerable institutions. Are they free? No. Are they convenient? Not for most. Are they possible? Yes and that's worth celebrating.

I am here finally moving my tail forward because I felt a bit green with envy at the fact that my niece acted on the HES info while I've known about and dreamed about the program for many many years and yet I did nothing to change the trajectory of my own life with that knowledge. I felt the sting of the support structure I didn't have. I was so mad... at my circumstances, at myself. It was in remembering that if I *really* want something, I can challenge myself and give it my best. This capacity to get creative and go for it is what separates ours from other societies. In terms of finding creative ways to get the necessary education and move up ladders of our own choosing, we are freer than most.

I know a lot of us have found ways to succeed without a degree. Until or unless I mention that I am completing my BA, I doubt anyone has noticed or cared that I'm mostly self-taught and uncredentialed. That's largely because I am an entrepreneur and I'm certainly an entrepreneur at least in part because I haven't had a bachelors' or an advanced degree as a calling card. Like many of you, I have built businesses and had successes that have been richly rewarding... It is in part because of all that background that I know I can move heaven and earth to accomplish things that mean the most to me. I don't yet know whether challenging myself with an Ivy League education is something I want to sacrifice for but I'm thinking about it. And posts like the OP are a perfect reminder that not only is it possible to do something, it is possible to do something that's completely trajectory changing.... and that's really something.

[cookderosa]

By the way, schools within universities are ranked. It looks like I'm not the one who is factually wrong and spreading myths. You might want to do your own research first before you try to correct someone. 
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You are correct. My apologies! I'll revise. Harvard University is nationally ranked #2 university in the USA by US News. Harvard's College of Continuing Education is NOT ranked.