Harvard Interview - Weird

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Audio

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Hey,

I just read another thread about interviews and it came to mind that at my Harvard interview, the interviewer asked how to pronounce my name and then asked me what the origin of that name was. I told him and then felt kind of weird the whole interview. My parents were born in Iran and naturally gave me a Persian name. He then went on and asked me if I had ever visited Iran and how it was. I told him that I had visited once and enjoyed it a lot but wouldn't want to live there given the right wing government in power. I felt that he wasn't satisfied that I actually really really enjoyed my time there and expected me to kind of be disgusted with the whole place.

Now, I don't think he asked me this question with any bad intentions, more to just get the conversation going and maybe out of interest. But it made me feel uncomfortable the whole interview and I never felt like I could connect with him.

I realized after reading another thread that his questions may have crossed the line, especially given the current political situation in the region.

I wonder what I should do. I don't want this to affect my acceptance but I also think that maybe what he says to the adcom might be skewed by the uncomfortable start to our interview. I don't think he had bad intentions but rather that people just have their natural biases and he may unknowingly be uneasy with my application and the interview. I don't want to call them and say this dude was a HUGE racist and crossed the line blah blah blah because I really don't believe he was and I don't really think he would not support my application because of this - KNOWINGLY. But, I also know that Americans have certain perceptions of foreigners, put forth by the media, that may affect my application.

I don't know what to do. My other interview went very well and the lady that interviewed my couldn't have been nicer.

I also want to make it clear that I don't want to do this to try and improve my chances of getting in or pressure them into letting me in. I just want a level playing field and I'm afraid that's impossible because the rest of the interview wasn't comfortable.

Should I actually contact them and let them know what happened? Did my interviewer step over the line?

What I'm thinking of doing is actually waiting until I get some news...acceptance, waitlist or rejection... and then call them and just let them know that my interviewer was a great guy but a little inexperienced and he may have crossed the line. What do you guys think?

Once again, I DON'T WANT TO USE THIS TO IMPROVE MY CHANCES OR AS A SOB STORY so please don't blast me.
 
sounds like you're making an excuse for not getting in...
 
Dental DL said:
sounds like you're making an excuse for not getting in...


Actually, I'm not. I haven't gotten word on my status yet. As far as I know, no one has who interviewed after Dec. 1. I may very well have been accepted, I don't know.

As far as an excuse, I don't need an excuse. It's friggen Harvard. You don't need an excuse to get rejected. Every student is amazing! Also, I'm not saying that I would be accepted if the guy never asked that question.
 
Audio dear, I think you are overreacting.
 
duh? said:
Audio dear, I think you are overreacting.


You know, maybe you're right. But hey, your people aren't demonized in American society.

I just want to know if he was allowed to ask that question.

And I will definately wait until after I get the decision from Harvard. Then I'd have no real chance of altering my fate at Harvard so I'd feel a little better about just telling them about what happened so they can advise the guy that maybe it can make some students uncomfortable. That's it.


Anyways, chances are I'll end up at a Canadian dental school anyways so I'm not really sweating it.
 
Harvard dear, I think you are overrated.
 
Dental DL said:
Harvard dear, I think you are overrated.

now it sounds like you are bitter....
 
Audio said:
I will definately wait until after I get the decision from Harvard. Then I'd have no real chance of altering my fate at Harvard
what makes you think you didn't just tell them? i'm sure you're the only persian canadian they interviewd. folks on SDN have no idea how many adcoms read this board. it is the best feedback around! hell, i might even be an adcom 😛
 
my vote: you're overreacting

the guy was just trying to find something interesting about your application--something that is different about you and sets you apart from all the other gazillion kids he's already interviewed. part of him was probably curious too, he wants to hear a first-person view of what <insert country/region here> is like. give the poor guy a break.

people are just too damn PC nowadays. sometimes, there is no race/ethnicity/sexual differences/blahblah at play--sometimes, it's just a plain, harmless question.

I don't want to call them and say this dude was a HUGE racist and crossed the line blah blah blah because I really don't believe he was and I don't really think he would not support my application because of this - KNOWINGLY. But, I also know that Americans have certain perceptions of foreigners, put forth by the media, that may affect my application.
some americans may have that view, but i HIGHLY doubt that someone who is conducting interviews (therefore, educated, has a wide view of the world and has met people of many different backgrounds) would hold that view. the people you have described, the people who truly fear foreigners, etc--those are usually the people who live in cowtown and have little contact (if ever) with foreigners. this guy was just curious and trying to find something unique about your application.
 
howui3 said:
now it sounds like you are bitter....
harvard medicine = outstanding
harvard dentistry = overrated
dental dl = always correct :laugh:
 
Audio said:
Hey,

I just read another thread about interviews and it came to mind that at my Harvard interview, the interviewer asked how to pronounce my name and then asked me what the origin of that name was. I told him and then felt kind of weird the whole interview. My parents were born in Iran and naturally gave me a Persian name. He then went on and asked me if I had ever visited Iran and how it was. I told him that I had visited once and enjoyed it a lot but wouldn't want to live there given the right wing government in power. I felt that he wasn't satisfied that I actually really really enjoyed my time there and expected me to kind of be disgusted with the whole place.

Now, I don't think he asked me this question with any bad intentions, more to just get the conversation going and maybe out of interest. But it made me feel uncomfortable the whole interview and I never felt like I could connect with him.

I realized after reading another thread that his questions may have crossed the line, especially given the current political situation in the region.

I wonder what I should do. I don't want this to affect my acceptance but I also think that maybe what he says to the adcom might be skewed by the uncomfortable start to our interview. I don't think he had bad intentions but rather that people just have their natural biases and he may unknowingly be uneasy with my application and the interview. I don't want to call them and say this dude was a HUGE racist and crossed the line blah blah blah because I really don't believe he was and I don't really think he would not support my application because of this - KNOWINGLY. But, I also know that Americans have certain perceptions of foreigners, put forth by the media, that may affect my application.

I don't know what to do. My other interview went very well and the lady that interviewed my couldn't have been nicer.

I also want to make it clear that I don't want to do this to try and improve my chances of getting in or pressure them into letting me in. I just want a level playing field and I'm afraid that's impossible because the rest of the interview wasn't comfortable.

Should I actually contact them and let them know what happened? Did my interviewer step over the line?

What I'm thinking of doing is actually waiting until I get some news...acceptance, waitlist or rejection... and then call them and just let them know that my interviewer was a great guy but a little inexperienced and he may have crossed the line. What do you guys think?

Once again, I DON'T WANT TO USE THIS TO IMPROVE MY CHANCES OR AS A SOB STORY so please don't blast me.

I know exactly what are you saying. I relocated from Europe several years ago, went to school here, got 4.0 gpa in all prereq. I am taking the DAT in May, but when I am thinking about the interview I get terrified. I know that time will come soon, but I am kind of afraid not to have the same problem as you had. People are very judgmental. I also have an accent and I know at the interview the whole time I will think “Does he understands what the heck I am trying to say here?” (Even though I here all the time my accent is “ very sexy” )
The thing is you have really great stats, so don’t even bother to call them. I am 100% they are going to accept you regardless of the incident. And besides, you already got in one of the best schools!
I wish you good luck! :luck:
 
Dental DL said:
harvard medicine = outstanding
harvard dentistry = overrated
dental dl = always correct :laugh:



🙂 the kids there (harvard dent) seem to do well on the boards and many seem to get into great specialties. The school itself carries weight. In practice new patients are usually impressed. I worked with a OMFS who got his dent. degree from Harvard and the patients were impressed.

overrated? maybe, but it's still a GREAT school.

ps. lovin' your pic.
 
OK OK OK!! i admit it! i'm just jealous that i'm not harvard material!!! are you all happy now?!?!

🙁

ps: who wants to meet me for a drink? i'm bored...
 
vandy_yankee said:
...but i HIGHLY doubt that someone who is conducting interviews (therefore, educated, has a wide view of the world and has met people of many different backgrounds) would hold that view. ...
I agree with most everything you said, except this. I mean, come on.

Anyhow, Audio, you shouldn't read too much into other threads on SDN. A lot of the people here are completely self-centered and over-react to every little thing. Your interviewer didn't cross the line. Just think about it: if you were to call the admissions office, what would you say? Your concerns are completely based on your perceptions, not on what he/she said. No offense man, but I think you sound like you're a little self-conscious about your Iranian heritage.

P.S. Don't call the admissions office, they already know your views now.
 
Welcome to USA buddy, Although I believe he wasn't racist, I don't have a doubt in my mind that a "non-axis of avil" student with the same stats as urs could easily replace your spot at Harvard. But What do I know, I am only another Iranian.
 
fightingspirit, i'm starting to question your mental stability. talk about tangents! :laugh:
 
fightingspirit said:
oh dude, you think your people (iranians) are being maligned? try being black, arab, or indian. then you'll know what it's like to be maligned by the media...

take it easy and let it be....

When was the last time you heard Indians and Blacks were terrorists and a danger to US on the media?
 
Audio said:
Hey,

I just read another thread about interviews and it came to mind that at my Harvard interview, the interviewer asked how to pronounce my name and then asked me what the origin of that name was. I told him and then felt kind of weird the whole interview. My parents were born in Iran and naturally gave me a Persian name. He then went on and asked me if I had ever visited Iran and how it was. I told him that I had visited once and enjoyed it a lot but wouldn't want to live there given the right wing government in power. I felt that he wasn't satisfied that I actually really really enjoyed my time there and expected me to kind of be disgusted with the whole place.

Now, I don't think he asked me this question with any bad intentions, more to just get the conversation going and maybe out of interest. But it made me feel uncomfortable the whole interview and I never felt like I could connect with him.

I realized after reading another thread that his questions may have crossed the line, especially given the current political situation in the region.

I wonder what I should do. I don't want this to affect my acceptance but I also think that maybe what he says to the adcom might be skewed by the uncomfortable start to our interview. I don't think he had bad intentions but rather that people just have their natural biases and he may unknowingly be uneasy with my application and the interview. I don't want to call them and say this dude was a HUGE racist and crossed the line blah blah blah because I really don't believe he was and I don't really think he would not support my application because of this - KNOWINGLY. But, I also know that Americans have certain perceptions of foreigners, put forth by the media, that may affect my application.

I don't know what to do. My other interview went very well and the lady that interviewed my couldn't have been nicer.

I also want to make it clear that I don't want to do this to try and improve my chances of getting in or pressure them into letting me in. I just want a level playing field and I'm afraid that's impossible because the rest of the interview wasn't comfortable.

Should I actually contact them and let them know what happened? Did my interviewer step over the line?

What I'm thinking of doing is actually waiting until I get some news...acceptance, waitlist or rejection... and then call them and just let them know that my interviewer was a great guy but a little inexperienced and he may have crossed the line. What do you guys think?

Once again, I DON'T WANT TO USE THIS TO IMPROVE MY CHANCES OR AS A SOB STORY so please don't blast me.

I guess Canadians can see across all racial lines unlike Americans. Just because Iran's government supports international terrorism and meets with Al Qaeda heads and facilitates Al Qaeda transportation across their borders doesn't mean all Iranians are bad. Oh boy, I think the American media has brainwashed me!

Quit being a *****.
 
fightingspirit said:
Ok, audio, why are you fixated on Harvard like this? In fact, why is everybody fixated on Harvard like this? Most of you who are obsessed with Harvard are not even interested in research in the long run. Yet, you are crazy about it. Also, what’s up with Canadians’ fixation on the American Ivy League thing? Guys, Harvard is primarily a research school. you really dont need to be there if you're not a research enthusiast! who wants to be in a class of 35 nerds where everybody hears it and smells it when you fart?
Now, as far as what happened in your interview, here’s what I can tell you. Harvard University is left of the center in terms of politics and social issues. Harvard College is pretty liberal. BUT HARVARD’S PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS ARE NEOCON PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS THAT KEEP SENDING THE MOST CONSERVATIVE BIGOTS TO WASHINGTON. BESIDES, WHILE YALE, COLUMBIA, AND PENN TRY TO WELCOME AND EMBRASE SOCIAL CHANGES, HARVARD TRYS TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO. Dental school at Harvard is a professional school, and thus expect it to be pretty right-wing even if they don’t admit it.
You imply that you disagree with Iran’s hardliners; yet, here you are worrying about getting into America’s most influential right-wing institution.
Anyway, don’t worry about what happened. I think you did give him the answer he wanted: he wanted to hear something in the neighborhood of “I am Iranian by origins and culture by I do not approve of Iran and its hard-line government”…..that’s pretty much what you said to him, technically!
So don’t worry. What you may want to worry about is why the heck you are in the states? Are you here to be a dentist or you’re here to fulfill your hunger for the Ivy League thing? Dude, re-evaluate your priorities. If I were you, I would not support Harvard in any way. Harvard’s neocons are responsible for the political and social swamp that America has submerged itself into. Screw Harvard’s professional schools.
Oh, just in case you did not know. Harvard’s president, Summers, is a paranoid biased Jewish-American man who considers any Harvard student demonstration criticizing Israel to be anti-Semitic. He has no respect for the freedom to express and exchange ideas freely in an academic medium.
Now, I am definitely going to be labeled anti-Semitic myself for saying that but what the heck….they label you anti-Semitic no matter what you say if it’s not praise for Israel. It’s their efficient way to muzzle those who dare to speak.
So you are Iranian….fine…good for you man. I do ask of you to be proud of your background, proud of your Canadian liberal outlook, and not to support Harvard. You’re above them. They don’t deserve you. Let them have their kids and the hypocritical brownnosers who would rather adopt the Harvard name at the expense of their political/social stance.


Though Harvard has insane amount of research funding, that's not all you do there. Though you are right most people do not continue with research for the rest of their dental career, but many students going to Harvard either want to specialize or want to have the option to do so.

There is a difference between criticizing Israel and condoning the terrorist activates of extremist groups like Hamas. Blowing yourself up and killing innocent people is hardly a way to promote democracy.

Final note, throughout our history countries fight for land, but how many times have your heard of the land being given back? Imagine if Mexico tries to get back California and Texas back now, just because it used to belong to them. If Palestinians was to have their own country and governments, they can do that on their territory (Gaza and West Bank) and they can do that democratically and not via terrorism. There label me anti-Palestinian, but this is my opinion.
 
SuperTrooper said:
I agree with most everything you said, except this. I mean, come on.

Anyhow, Audio, you shouldn't read too much into other threads on SDN. A lot of the people here are completely self-centered and over-react to every little thing. Your interviewer didn't cross the line. Just think about it: if you were to call the admissions office, what would you say? Your concerns are completely based on your perceptions, not on what he/she said. No offense man, but I think you sound like you're a little self-conscious about your Iranian heritage.

P.S. Don't call the admissions office, they already know.


Believe me, I'm very proud of my culture and the greatness of Persia. I love the fact that my parents are from Iran and am proud of the history of my parent's nation that dates thousands of years.

But you also have to realize that I'm Canadian, born and raised here. In Toronto, this isn't an issue really. There are so many Persians here and this kind of stuff doesn't really exist because everything is so multicultural here.

Maybe I'm not giving Americans enough credit.

But just to make it clear, I really don't think the guy was trying to hold anything against me. I think he was just curious and wanted to start a conversation. But you have to look at it from my perspective. I come into the biggest interview of my life and the first thing he asks is that and I have to go into this whole thing about Iran and try to defend what I'm proud of without looking like I'm a terrorist. It just kind of caught me off guard.


Anyways, I agree with most of you. I definitely won't call them..at least not for a long time. Maybe I should contact Harvard at all. Maybe during the summer, after the whole admission process if over, I'll try to call my interviewer and thank him for the interview and for his obvious effort in trying to connect with me. I'll then mention that asking a question like that may make some students uncomfortable even though I know he was just curious. He really did seem like a nice enough guy and I don't want to get him in trouble at all. I just dont' want it to happen to anyone else because honestly, something like that can throw you off, especially since I really didn't expect anything.

Thanks again you guys for your honest responses. To those of you who don't understand where I'm coming from, consider yourself lucky that you don't have to deal with this stuff. Thanks again,

Audio
 
howui3 said:
Imagine if Mexico tries to get back California and Texas back now, just because it used to belong to them. If Palestinians was to have their own country and governments, they can do that on their territory (Gaza and West Bank) and they can do that democratically and not via terrorism. There label me anti-Palestinian, but this is my opinion.
Your analogy sucks! 👎

At least the US recognizes that Mexico is a country. Furthermore, the US doesn't hold california, texas, utah, etc. on the grounds that god promised them that land; the US just took it cause they wanted it.
 
Audio said:
I'll try to call my interviewer and thank him for the interview and for his obvious effort in trying to connect with me. I'll then mention that asking a question like that may make some students uncomfortable even though I know he was just curious.
That sounds good. 👍 Good luck. 🙂 :luck:
 
fightingspirit said:
arash, blacks are villified and viewed as potential thieves and druggies...YOU KNOW THAT....indians are considered as people who take american jobs, make money and then hord it!!! off course, both assumptions are racist, but i just wanted to remind you that other groups suffer also. besides, iranians ar enot doing bad at all. they are assimilating into mainstream american society and all.....

please dont argue just for the sake of argument....


"indians are considered as people who take american jobs" => so they dont have a problem getting a job, right?, so why should they complain? as far as blacks go, I know what you are saying,But The rasicm that Im talkin about is different from a "protect your bag when seeing a black guy walking towards you" kind of racism. The racism towards Iranians and arabs are more personal. Have you read the newspaper lately? Thats all they are talking about nowdays: Iran, nuclear weapon, iran, nuclear weapon.....Just like before the Iraq war with the chemical weapons. They are already getting your mind ready for another war approval on the basis of terrorism. And if an american patriot happens to read the newspaper right before interviewing Audio or me , I think he will process his thought differently.
 
SuperTrooper said:
Your analogy sucks! 👎

If Palestine tried to become a country peacefully and democratically that's one thing, but via terrorism is unacceptable and until that changes they will not be recognized by Israel. Just like US does NOT deal with terrorist neither will Israel.

And though my analogy may not be the best, the point is that most countries that attain land (via war, treaties, deals, or other reasons) DO NOT return it.
 
howui3 said:
SuperTrooper said:
Your analogy sucks! 👎

If Palestine tried to become a country peacefully and democratically that's one thing, but via terrorism is unacceptable and until that changes they will not be recognized by Israel. Just like US does NOT deal with terrorist neither will Israel.

And though my analogy may not be the best, the point is that most countries that attain land (via war, treaties, deals, or other reasons) DO NOT return it.


"And though my analogy may not be the best, the point is that most countries that attain land (via war, treaties, deals, or other reasons) DO NOT return it."

So Do you agree that the country which was invaded has every right to fight and get its land back? And this country happens not to be supported by US and lacks nuclear weapons, or even a jet. So they tried to fight by throwing rocks, but that didn't work, what comes next, suicide bombing. and FYI stats, more than 90% of the people who blow themselves up, have had close relatives (mother, father, son...) who had been killed by israelies. wouldnt you want revange? Im not promoting it, but I can def see the way they could be thinking.
 
howui3 said:
If Palestine tried to become a country peacefully and democratically that's one thing, but via terrorism is unacceptable and until that changes they will not be recognized by Israel. Just like US does NOT deal with terrorist neither will Israel.
:laugh: This is a product of the "REAL" american propaganda machine. howui3, you sound just like Ari Fleischer and George Dubya.

Terrorism sucks, no doubt. However, I can sympathize with the Palestinians cause they're fighting against Israel (& the US) with nothing, just rocks and stones. It's the only way they can fight. The palestinians would have drowned in the Dead Sea long ago had their efforts been peaceful and democratic like you suggested.
 
arash said:
"indians are considered as people who take american jobs" => so they dont have a problem getting a job, right?, so why should they complain? as far as blacks go, I know what you are saying,But The rasicm that Im talkin about is different from a "protect your bag when seeing a black guy walking towards you" kind of racism. The racism towards Iranians and arabs are more personal. Have you read the newspaper lately? Thats all they are talking about nowdays: Iran, nuclear weapon, iran, nuclear weapon.....Just like before the Iraq war with the chemical weapons. They are already getting your mind ready for another war approval on the basis of terrorism. And if an american patriot happens to read the newspaper right before interviewing Audio or me , I think he will process his thought differently.

Regardless of how much coverage the media gives Iran, it is true that Iran is a hotspot and a hot button topic that needs attention. We can't ignore a country that elects a president whose platform who is radical, very anti-American in every sense of the word, and dangerous. They do support Islamic extremism and have been for decades, it's fact. Now, they desire nuclear weapons, for what reason? To protect themselves from American invasion and preserve their government. Do they have a right to nuclear weapons? Yes, every country deserves a right to protect themselves. But should they be allowed to use those nuclear weapons to defend themselves while supporting Islamic terrorism (and maybe even harboring them)? No. It's a very important issue that needs to be addressed and that is why the media gives it full coverage.

Another country also in the limelight is North Korea. However, I don't see Koreans complaining about racism anymore than their Asian counterparts (Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese). Their country is very perverse and anti-West and everybody knows this yet I think individual Koreans know the difference between what American's think about the northern half of their peninsula and about them as people. Which is more than I can say for our Arab citizens here in America who seem to cry at every mention of anti-Arab sentiments.
 
EyeAmCommi said:
Regardless of how much coverage the media gives Iran, it is true that Iran is a hotspot and a hot button topic that needs attention. We can't ignore a country that elects a president whose platform who is radical, very anti-American in every sense of the word, and dangerous. They do support Islamic extremism and have been for decades, it's fact. Now, they desire nuclear weapons, for what reason? To protect themselves from American invasion and preserve their government. Do they have a right to nuclear weapons? Yes, every country deserves a right to protect themselves. But should they be allowed to use those nuclear weapons to defend themselves while supporting Islamic terrorism (and maybe even harboring them)? No. It's a very important issue that needs to be addressed and that is why the media gives it full coverage.

Another country also in the limelight is North Korea. However, I don't see Koreans complaining about racism anymore than their Asian counterparts (Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese). Their country is very perverse and anti-West and everybody knows this yet I think individual Koreans know the difference between what American's think about the northern half of their peninsula and about them as people. Which is more than I can say for our Arab citizens here in America who seem to cry at every mention of anti-Arab sentiments.


Iranians don't = Arab. Iran has an Arab population of about 3%.

Also, North Koreans don't deal with this kind of stuff because there are barely any North Koreans in the US. They're all in their communist homeland!

And you're one right winged commi 😀
 
EyeAmCommi said:
Regardless of how much coverage the media gives Iran, it is true that Iran is a hotspot and a hot button topic that needs attention. We can't ignore a country that elects a president whose platform who is radical, very anti-American in every sense of the word, and dangerous. They do support Islamic extremism and have been for decades, it's fact. Now, they desire nuclear weapons, for what reason? To protect themselves from American invasion and preserve their government. Do they have a right to nuclear weapons? Yes, every country deserves a right to protect themselves. But should they be allowed to use those nuclear weapons to defend themselves while supporting Islamic terrorism (and maybe even harboring them)? No. It's a very important issue that needs to be addressed and that is why the media gives it full coverage.

Another country also in the limelight is North Korea. However, I don't see Koreans complaining about racism anymore than their Asian counterparts (Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese). Their country is very perverse and anti-West and everybody knows this yet I think individual Koreans know the difference between what American's think about the northern half of their peninsula and about them as people. Which is more than I can say for our Arab citizens here in America who seem to cry at every mention of anti-Arab sentiments.

"Now, they desire nuclear weapons, for what reason? To protect themselves from American invasion and preserve their government. Do they have a right to nuclear weapons? Yes, every country deserves a right to protect themselves. "

Im glad that you pointed this out, but does the media address this point of view? no. Why would the mullahs attack any country? they are living like kings in Iran, why ruin it all? The only people who are going to lose here, are the Iranian people in Iran who hate their gov't by heart and can absolutely do nothing about it. US could support the movement in Iran against the regime, with 1/100th of the money they intend to spend on a war, and win it with no US casualties. But that doesnt do the weapons manufacture camponies any good? 😉
 
Nah dude...i agree with you. I dont think u should do anything...but wait and see wat happens..
 
Audio said:
Iranians don't = Arab. Iran has an Arab population of about 3%.

Also, North Koreans don't deal with this kind of stuff because there are barely any North Koreans in the US. They're all in their communist homeland!

And you're one right winged commi 😀

You think Americans can make a distinction between North and South Koreans? American's can't even tell Chinese apart from Japanese! I obviously couldn't tell the different between Iranians and Arabs cause they look the same to me! It's the same with white people, they all look the same to me.

The point is, don't worry too much about what that guy thought. I think it would have been better if you had handled yourself a little better at that interview like laugh it off or something. Cause when an interview goes bad like you felt it did, the ball is on your court and you have to get back into the game.
 
Anyways,

thanks for your thought. I didn't intend for this to become an Israel vs Palestine thread.

I think I got the answer to my question. I strongly hope and believe that what happened at my interview will be a non-issue.

And if it actually is an issue, then maybe it's a good thing if I don't get accepted because it might not be the place for me. I certainly don't want to force my way into a school that doesn't want to accept me.

Although I must say that all the students and staff that I did interact with at Harvard were really really kind and down-to-earth. They really did make me feel welcome!

But I honestly did feel uncomfortable with my interview and I'm pretty sure that interviewers can't ask those type of questions (race, sexual orientation, marital status, etc). So I think that in an attempt to make sure something like is less likely to happen, I think I'll call my interviewer in a few months after the admission process is over.

But in all honesty, I'll probably forget about this next week and not give it another thought :laugh:

I guess this is what I get for staying home on a Friday night 😀

Next week...gonna get $hit faced, married and divorced all in one night 😉
 
fightingspirit said:
ARASH, dont try....do you not think that HOWUI3 knows all that? he/she knows very well that palestinians are practicing self-defense with the most available means. they dont have american support. they dont have anyone's support. they have no other means to deter brooklyn's orthodox jews from relocating to ILLEGAL settlements for religous and racist purposes. the israeli self-sefense is labeled "struggle"...but the palestinian self-defense is abeled as "terrorism"....this is hapenning because the palestinians are not christian, not white and because they dont live in the rwealthiest zip codes of the U.S

do i think that it is barbaric to kill oneself like thatt? SURE I DO
HOWEVER, IT IS EQUALLY BARBARIC TO BULLDOZE SOMEONE ELSES HOME JUST BECAUSE YOUR HOLLY BOOK AND PAT ROBERTSON SAY SO.

ETHICAL PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS.

by the way TROOPER, HOWUI3 is not a vicitm of the american propaganda machine . he is a part of it!!! i knew that from the way he tried to distort my cooments.

anyway, regardless of israel and palestine and all, Harvard does send neocons to D.C....

Dude(fighting spirit)...wat ur saying is exactly true...i coudnt have said it better myself! Im glad there are right minded, educated people like you defending wats right.
 
arash said:
"Now, they desire nuclear weapons, for what reason? To protect themselves from American invasion and preserve their government. Do they have a right to nuclear weapons? Yes, every country deserves a right to protect themselves. "

Im glad that you pointed this out, but does the media address this point of view? no. Why would the mullahs attack any country? they are living like kings in Iran, why ruin it all? The only people who are going to lose here, are the Iranian people in Iran who hate their gov't by heart and can absolutely do nothing about it. US could support the movement in Iran against the regime, with 1/100th of the money they intend to spend on a war, and win it with no US casualties. But that doesnt do the weapons manufacture camponies any good? 😉

This is an opinion from an honest American. The news is not there to give opinions so you wouldn't hear something like that from USA Today or something. Opinins are formulated by the readers, not the outlets however newspapers do have editorials that offer opinions.

Osama Bin Laden also lives (lived) like a king with his many wives and padded bank accounts yet he still attacked the US. It's because of ideology. He thinks America supports tyranny and opression in the Arab peninsula so he attacks us. You're right that Iran shouldn't attack the US directly, they have nothing to gain. So they do it indirectly through terrorist groups. Al Qaeda attacked the US directly and look what happened to their Afghanistan? I doubt the Taliban wanted an invasion.
 
Audio said:
Anyways,

thanks for your thought. I didn't intend for this to become an Israel vs Palestine thread.

I think I got the answer to my question. I strongly hope and believe that what happened at my interview will be a non-issue.

And if it actually is an issue, then maybe it's a good thing if I don't get accepted because it might not be the place for me. I certainly don't want to force my way into a school that doesn't want to accept me.

Although I must say that all the students and staff that I did interact with at Harvard were really really kind and down-to-earth. They really did make me feel welcome!

But I honestly did feel uncomfortable with my interview and I'm pretty sure that interviewers can't ask those type of questions (race, sexual orientation, marital status, etc). So I think that in an attempt to make sure something like is less likely to happen, I think I'll call my interviewer in a few months after the admission process is over.

But in all honesty, I'll probably forget about this next week and not give it another thought :laugh:

I guess this is what I get for staying home on a Friday night 😀

Next week...gonna get $hit faced, married and divorced all in one night 😉


WoW, it is friday night. ****. I need a life.
 
EyeAmCommi said:
This is an opinion from an honest American. The news is not there to give opinions so you wouldn't hear something like that from USA Today or something. Opinins are formulated by the readers, not the outlets however newspapers do have editorials that offer opinions.

Osama Bin Laden also lives (lived) like a king with his many wives and padded bank accounts yet he still attacked the US. It's because of ideology. He thinks America supports tyranny and opression in the Arab peninsula so he attacks us. You're right that Iran shouldn't attack the US directly, they have nothing to gain. So they do it indirectly through terrorist groups. Al Qaeda attacked the US directly and look what happened to their Afghanistan? I doubt the Taliban wanted an invasion.


Buddy you are comparing one person or terrorist oraganization, to the second largest oil producer in the world. I dont think ideology is their concern. They are smart politicians.
 
ias2512 said:
Dude(fighting spirit)...wat ur saying is exactly true...i coudnt have said it better myself! Im glad there are right minded, educated people like you defending wats right.

If howui's views agree with the so called "media's views" then he's automatically wrong in what he believes? I think you're just as wrong as any person who thinks another person is wrong just cause their views align with something you don't necessarily agree with.
 
arash said:
WoW, it is friday night. ****. I need a life.


Yeah...in fact, I'm going to go out and party right now. Have fun homies. See you later...hopefully not in 5-10 years. Peace 😀
 
arash said:
Buddy you are comparing one person or terrorist oraganization, to the second largest oil producer in the world. I dont think ideology is their concern. They are smart politicians.

Osama bin Laden is a man with a lot to lose, much like Iran politicians you're describing. I thought that was clear.

Edit: I also want to add that the Iranian government is no different than the Taliban in the sense that they both support and export terrorism. The Iranian government nowadays is not so radical anymore yet history has shown that Iran is hard to trust and the media makes this point very clear actually.
 
EyeAmCommi said:
Osama bin Laden is a man with a lot to lose, much like Iran politicians you're describing. I thought that was clear.


He wasn't when he first attacked on 9/11 though. And trust me Iranian politicians are more concerned about their own people rising against them. The nuclear weapon is just a defense strategy. Just like North Korea. But they played stupid, these Iranians have already made sh**t load of economical deals with Russians, Chinese, and Indians and Europeans for the next 10 years or so. The only country who is not gettin a share here is US. Trust me they are on firm grounds, they are not like Osama.
 
EyeAmCommi said:
Osama bin Laden is a man with a lot to lose, much like Iran politicians you're describing. I thought that was clear.

Edit: I also want to add that the Iranian government is no different than the Taliban in the sense that they both support and export terrorism. The Iranian government nowadays is not so radical anymore yet history has shown that Iran is hard to trust and the media makes this point very clear actually.


Iran is hard to trust? Did you know that the main brain behind a regime change in Iran in 1979 was CIA? And did you know that Clintons secretory of state (dont remember her name) apologized for what they did to Iran by supporting that regime change? Talking about trust. Iranians dont trust CIA. and would you please define terrorism? Doesnt US meet the criteria?
 
arash said:
He wasn't when he first attacked on 9/11 though. And trust me Iranian politicians are more concerned about their own people rising against them. The nuclear weapon is just a defense strategy. Just like North Korea. But they played stupid, these Iranians have already made sh**t load of economical deals with Russians, Chinese, and Indians and Europeans for the next 10 years or so. The only country who is not gettin a share here is US. Trust me they are on firm grounds, they are not like Osama.

These deals were conducted to avoid being sent to the UN Security Council. I assume you are refering to the uranium enrichment deal that allows Iran to enrich on Russian soil?
 
EyeAmCommi said:
These deals were conducted to avoid being sent to the UN Security Council. I assume you are refering to the uranium enrichment deal that allows Iran to enrich on Russian soil?


Thats why I said smart politicians. NOt only the Uranium deal, But also many more Gas and Oil deals. Airight man, I gotta go. It was nice discussing politics with you. I'll respond to your comments later. Take care.
 
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