Introduction

I need to be upfront with you before we start this course.

Most of my courses are about getting full scholarships — schools that will pay for everything so you can study for free. This course is different. The four programs I am about to show you do not offer full scholarships for international students. They are not free. They are not even cheap (except one).

So why am I making this course?

Because I get this question constantly: "William, I want a degree from Harvard. I want a degree from Columbia. I want a degree from Cornell. I want a degree from Penn. But I cannot get in through the normal way. Is there another path?"

Yes, there is. And this course covers the four most realistic ones.

The Four Programs#

1. Harvard Extension School — ALB Degree#

Harvard's Extension School lets you earn a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (ALB) from Harvard University. There is no traditional application to start — you register for courses, prove yourself through grades, and then get admitted. It is mostly online, costs $30,000-$60,000 total, and your diploma says Harvard University.

The catch: It does NOT say "Harvard College." It says "Extension Studies." There is no F-1 visa. And financial aid for international students is very limited.

2. Columbia University General Studies — B.A. Degree#

Columbia GS is a school within Columbia University for non-traditional students. You earn the exact same Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) as Columbia College students. You take the same classes, with the same professors, on the same campus. The acceptance rate is about 30% (compared to 4% for Columbia College). You CAN get an F-1 visa.

The catch: It costs about $94,000 per year. Columbia GS does not meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. International students get limited aid — averaging about $32,000 per year, leaving a massive gap.

3. UPenn LPS — BAAS Degree#

Penn's College of Liberal and Professional Studies offers a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) that is almost entirely online. It costs about $43,000-$86,000 total depending on transfer credits. Your diploma says University of Pennsylvania.

The catch: The degree says "Applied Arts and Sciences," not a regular B.A. There is no F-1 visa. Financial aid for international students is very limited. And you do not take classes with regular Penn students.

4. Cornell BPS — Bachelor of Professional Studies (Launching 2027)#

Cornell announced in 2026 that it will offer a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) — a fully online, part-time degree through the School of Continuing Education. The first major is "Organizations, Markets, and Society." Applications open January 2027, first class starts August 2027. It costs about $55,000-$69,000 total.

The catch: It is not available yet. There is no F-1 visa. You need 45-60 existing college credits to apply. Financial aid details for international students are still unclear. And the degree says "Professional Studies," not a traditional Cornell B.A. or B.S.

Who This Course Is For#

This course is for you if:

• You want a degree from a world-famous university (Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, or Penn)
• You cannot get in through normal admissions (acceptance rates of 3-6%)
• You understand that these programs are not free and are prepared to figure out funding
• You want to understand exactly what you are getting — and what you are NOT getting — before you commit

Who This Course Is NOT For#

If you need a full scholarship and cannot pay anything, these programs are probably not for you right now. Instead, look at my other courses:

• Study for FREE in the USA — Bachelor's Degree — 60+ schools that pay for everything
• Full Scholarships for International Transfer Students — 30+ schools with full aid for transfers
• Full Scholarships for Older International Students — Yale and Brown programs with full funding

Those courses cover schools where you can study for genuinely free. Come back to this course when you want to explore prestige options that require some financial investment.

My Honest Take#

I believe in being real with you. Here is my honest opinion on each program:

Harvard Extension is the best value. For $30,000-$60,000 total, you get a Harvard degree. Yes, it says "Extension Studies," and some people look down on that. But most of the world does not know or care about the difference. If you are going back to a country where "Harvard" on your resume opens doors — this is a smart play.

Columbia GS is the most "real" option. You are genuinely a Columbia student — same classes, same degree, same campus. But it is brutally expensive with limited aid for international students. Unless you have a way to pay or can combine partial aid with loans, the cost can be crushing.

UPenn LPS is the most accessible. It is online, it is rolling admissions, and you can prove your way in through the Gateway program. But the degree is clearly different from a traditional Penn degree, and there is no campus experience.

Cornell BPS is the newest option and not available yet. But at $55,000-$69,000 for a Cornell degree, the value is strong. If you already have college credits and can wait until 2027, keep this on your radar.

None of these are bad options. But they are expensive options. Make sure you go in with your eyes open.

What This Course Covers#

1. Introduction — You are here. The honest truth about these programs.
2. Harvard Extension School — Everything about the ALB degree, admissions, and what the diploma really means.
3. Columbia General Studies — The full picture: same Columbia degree, but at what cost?
4. UPenn LPS — The online BAAS degree: what it is, what it is not, and who it is for.
5. Cornell BPS — The newest Ivy League option: launching 2027, what we know so far.
6. How to Apply — Step-by-step application processes for all four programs.
7. Paying for It — Real costs, available aid, loans, and creative funding strategies.
8. Visas and Logistics — Which programs offer F-1 visas and how to plan around online vs. on-campus formats.
9. FAQ — Common questions answered honestly.

Stay Connected#

• Subscribe to @williamlebeau on YouTube for video guides
• Join The Village to connect with other international students

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Let me show you exactly what each program offers so you can decide if any of them are right for you.