How to . . . go to college for free online

If you're yearning to take some college courses but can't afford the tuition, there are schools that offer free classes online. Here's how to "get into" Harvard, Princeton or, our favorite, Yale.

1. For free Harvard lectures, go to extension.harvard.edu/open-learning-initiative; for Princeton, go to hulk03.princeton.edu:8080/WebMedia/lectures, or for Yale, go to oyc.yale.edu. Note, you cannot earn a degree or certification with these courses.

2. Yale offers 42 courses, ranging from Freshman Organic Chemistry I to The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877, in 23 subject areas that include American studies, economics, English, environmental studies, geology, history, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology and religious studies.

3. What distinguishes the Yale courses is that they're not just videos. You can watch the lectures, listen to MP3 files of them or read transcripts. Many have links to download course materials. You'll find a syllabus, session and book lists. Some even have study groups and final exams you download as PDF files.