Frequently Asked Questions#

Let me answer the most common questions I get about these prestige programs.

Is a Harvard Extension degree a "real" Harvard degree?#

Yes, it is a real, accredited Harvard degree. It is conferred by Harvard University under the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. It carries the Harvard University seal.

However, it is NOT the same as a Harvard College degree. Your diploma says "Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies" (ALB), not "Bachelor of Arts" (A.B.). On your resume, you list it as Harvard University Extension School.

In most parts of the world, people do not know the difference, and "Harvard" on your resume carries enormous weight. In certain competitive US industries (investment banking, elite law school admissions), the distinction is known and the ALB is viewed differently from a Harvard College A.B.

Is Columbia GS considered "less prestigious" than Columbia College?#

Officially, no. GS students earn the same B.A. degree from the same Faculty of Arts and Sciences. As of 2024, GS diplomas are issued in Latin, matching Columbia College.

In practice, there is some stigma among a small number of Columbia College students who view GS as a "backdoor." This is petty and largely irrelevant once you graduate. Employers and graduate schools care about your Columbia degree, your GPA, and your skills — not which undergraduate school you were in.

GS graduates work on Wall Street, go to top law and medical schools, and have successful careers across every field.

Will employers know the difference between these degrees and the "regular" ones?#

Most will not. Here is the reality:

• Harvard Extension: Most employers worldwide see "Harvard" and are impressed. In certain elite US circles, people know the distinction.
• Columbia GS: The degree is the same B.A. Most employers will not know or care that you were in GS rather than Columbia College.
• UPenn LPS: The degree says "Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences" which is clearly different from a B.A. Employers who know Penn well may notice. Most others will see "University of Pennsylvania" and be impressed.

If you are returning to your home country, the school name matters far more than the specific program.

Can I get into medical school or law school with these degrees?#

Yes. Graduates of all four programs have been accepted to top medical schools, law schools, and other graduate programs.

• Columbia GS is the strongest for this because it is the same B.A. with the same Core Curriculum. Medical schools and law schools treat Columbia GS applicants the same as Columbia College applicants.
• Harvard Extension ALB graduates have been accepted to medical, law, and business schools. Your transcript shows Harvard courses with Harvard grades.
• UPenn LPS BAAS graduates have gone to graduate programs at Yale, Columbia, Cornell, and Penn itself.

Your GPA, test scores (MCAT, LSAT, GRE), and application quality matter far more than which program your degree came from.

I am under 25. Can I apply?#

• Harvard Extension: You need to have graduated high school at least 5 years ago. If you are 22, you cannot start yet.
• Columbia GS: You need a break of at least 1 year from your education. A gap year counts. Most GS students are in their mid-twenties to thirties, but younger students with a genuine break are eligible.
• UPenn LPS: There is no break or age requirement. Anyone without a bachelor's degree can apply.

Can I transfer credits from these programs to another school?#

Generally yes. Credits earned at Harvard, Columbia, and Penn are widely accepted for transfer. However, each receiving school makes its own transfer credit decisions.

What you should know:

• LPS Online courses do NOT count toward a Penn B.A. or Penn graduate programs
• Harvard Extension credits are widely transferable but some schools may evaluate them differently from Harvard College credits
• Columbia GS credits transfer well since they are the same Columbia courses

Can I do a dual degree at Columbia GS?#

Yes. Columbia GS has excellent dual degree programs:

• Sciences Po (France) — 2 years in Paris + 2 years at Columbia
• Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) — same structure
• Tel Aviv University (Israel) — same structure
• City University of Hong Kong — joint degree

These can reduce your Columbia costs and give you an international education experience. If you are in Europe, the Sciences Po program is especially worth considering.

Should I start with Harvard Extension to "test" if I can handle it?#

Yes — this is actually a smart strategy. Since Harvard Extension has open enrollment, you can take a single course for $1,080 ($2,160 regular price) and see if you can handle the work. If you earn a B or higher, you know you can continue. If not, you have only lost $1,080 — not a semester's tuition at Columbia.

I recommend this for anyone who has been out of school for a while and is not sure if they are ready for university-level work.

How does "prove your way in" work at Harvard and Penn?#

Harvard: Take 3 pre-admission courses ($1,080 each). Earn a B or higher in all three. Then apply — admission is essentially guaranteed.

Penn (Gateway): Take 4 designated LPS courses (~$2,882 each). Earn a 2.7 GPA with no grade below C. Then you are admitted.

Both programs let your academic performance speak for itself, regardless of your past academic record.

I already have a bachelor's degree. Can I still apply?#

• Harvard Extension ALB: No — you cannot already hold a bachelor's degree
• Columbia GS: No — GS is for students earning their first bachelor's degree
• UPenn LPS BAAS: No — you must not already have a bachelor's degree
• Cornell BPS: No — this is a bachelor's degree program for those without one

If you have a bachelor's degree, look into Master's programs instead. Harvard Extension offers the ALM (Master of Liberal Arts), and Columbia has the School of Professional Studies.

What is the Cornell BPS and when can I apply?#

Cornell's Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) is a new fully online degree launching in August 2027, with applications opening January 2027. The first major is "Organizations, Markets, and Society." You need 45-60 existing college credits and must be at least 4 years past high school graduation. It costs approximately $55,000-$69,000 total. No F-1 visa (online program). Financial aid details for international students are pending.

It is the newest of these four programs and has no track record yet, but the Cornell name and the reasonable price make it worth watching.

Which one should I choose?#

Here is my quick guide:

Choose Harvard Extension if: You want the cheapest Ivy League degree, you are okay studying online, and you do not need to live in America.

Choose Columbia GS if: You want to live in New York, you want the same degree as Columbia College, you can handle the cost, and you want an F-1 visa with OPT work authorization.

Choose UPenn LPS if: You want an Ivy League degree online, you prefer rolling admissions, you want the Gateway "prove your way in" option, and you are okay with the BAAS designation.

Choose Cornell BPS if: You already have 45-60 college credits, you can wait until 2027, and you want a career-focused Cornell degree at a reasonable price.

If you need a full scholarship, none of these are the right choice. Check out my full-scholarship courses instead.

Are these "back doors" or "shortcuts"?#

No. These are legitimate programs at legitimate universities. The coursework at Harvard Extension is real Harvard coursework. Columbia GS classes are the same classes Columbia College takes. Penn LPS and Cornell BPS courses are taught by their respective university faculty.

The degrees are different in name and sometimes in perception, but the education is real. The easier admissions means more people get the opportunity — it does not mean the education is easier.

What you get out of it depends entirely on what you put into it.

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Still have questions? Join The Village to ask me directly, or book a 1-on-1 call for personalized advice on which program is right for you.