Harvard Extension quality of classes question

[Sparklette]

Thanks to both of you for the information. That makes me feel better about the classes not just being a generic online read/do format. It sounds like they are very high quality, as I was hoping.

I'm getting ready to start applying to a few programs with the OCT deadlines coming up. The GRE isn't required at most places this year due to the pandemic, but it looks like I should do some GRE prep anyway for the writing test if I end up doing the Harvard route.

I am probably overthinking it, but a writing test graded by Harvard faculty just sounds intimidating.

The only prep I would suggest is reviewing the basic 5 paragraph essay structure, and how to expand that into more paragraphs if necessary. It's not the most dynamic writing style, but it more than suffices for these types of timed essays where you don't really have time to develop fancy structures. 
And you could read through some of the GRE published topics pool, just to get an idea of the type of prompts, but I wouldn't go too deep into those since Harvard has its own pool that are more regularly updated...just to get a sense of the type of prompts to expect. If you look at those and feel lost at what you'd write, a very short textbook I'd suggest (I think some of the Harvard classes use it, even and it'sone of the most assigned for critical thinking/writing courses in the US) is Weston's Rulebook for Arguments. I have used it to teach middle school age kids how to write better essays. I like it because it goes beyond just listing fallacies to avoid and includes good practices for strengthening your points.