Hey,
I am a graduate student at Harvard University's Extension School, ALM: International Relations.
I have good grades (3.91 GPA), some great recommendations and high GRE scores (700 v, 700 Q), some great internships, many articles and 1 peer reviewed article.
Sadly, I was told many schools look down on the Harvard Extension School. I enrolled here as it was the best program I felt at the time for what I was looking for, a mix of online classes and on campus as I am working to save up living expenses for my PhD years. All my classes have been with Harvard College faculty, some of the world's best. I am a full-time student here and work full-time. The full time job will drop off when I am accepted to a PhD program.
I would like to apply to some top programs. I have heard a rumor that many graduate schools look down on Harvard Extension. I am not trying to pass it off on applications as Harvard College or GSAS in anyway. I was curious if anyone out there could shed some light on this topic.
In order to get into a top 10 International Relations program would I need to get a Master's from another school? I guess I am asking if I am in for any discrimination based on where I got my masters? Does such a thing exist? Do I need to "explain" the program on my SOP?