<p>Harvard Extension is one of the colleges at Harvard University and is overseen by the Faculty of Arts and Science. I am beginning the ALM-Government program this Fall, my roommate is currently in the ALM program. You are correct in that you do have to complete a residency requirement to earn the degree, but you will not live on campus (the University does not provide housing options for Extension School students). Also, your classes will all be in the evening as Harvard Extension was designed to cater to working professionals. Courses all begin at either 5:30 or 7:30 in the evening. You can take classes through the Graduate School of Arts and Science IF you receive special student status (requires maintaining a 3.5 GPA after four classes, applying, and being approved by both the extension school and the department you want take courses in inside the GSAS).
You are correct in that admissions aren’t competitive in the traditional sense. Anyone who has the money can take courses at HES, BUT actually being admitted into the degree program requires completing three courses including a proseminar with a grade of B or better. If you can’t do that you won’t be admitted as a degree candidate. Beyond that, the thesis that is required to graduate ends up derailing a lot of extension student’s hopes of becoming a Harvard Alum.
I hope this info is helpful.</p>