Harvard Interview - Weird

[EyeAmCommi]

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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?

As published in the US Commission on 9/11 it was reported that Iran's government had allowed (the word used in the report was actually 'facilitated') free passage of Saudi nationals through its borders into Afghanistan. They did this by allowing them to pass without Visas. These Saudi nationals then went on to take down the WTC towers in 9/11.

It would be very hard for Bush to just hand over the rights to give Iran nuclear power. Think of it from Bush's perspective.

 

[coral2005]

I like the way you think.

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.

 

[gryffindor]

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.

Reminds me of how in dental school we had an "International Night" presentation on Iran. Two students made a powerpoint about Iranian history & culture. 20 minutes later, the audience was dozing off while they were still discussing something that happened in B.C. times. All I remember though is at the very end, they showed some pictures of rugs & cats and I had to laugh because that's what many Americans think of when they hear "Persia."

Obviously the word "Iran" brings up a whole different discussion with those same people.

But the food was sooo tasty!

Sorry about the uncomfortable interview, Audio. You can't read too much into it. What he asked you may not have been fair, but what are you gonna do? Come up with some good stories about your ethnic background if you have an unusual name because the probing and questioning does not end with just getting into dental school.

 

[arash]

As published in the US Commission on 9/11 it was reported that Iran's government had allowed (the word used in the report was actually 'facilitated') free passage of Saudi nationals through its borders into Afghanistan. They did this by allowing them to pass without Visas. These Saudi nationals then went on to take down the WTC towers in 9/11.

It would be very hard for Bush to just hand over the rights to give Iran nuclear power. Think of it from Bush's perspective.

The same people probably brought up the "proof" that Iraq had chemical weapons. And how did the US intelligence get this detailed information while they fuk*ed up the presense of chemical weapons in Iraq? and Also Im not sure if I understand the word "facilitated". This could mean someone crossing a border because the borders weren't protected well. Mexicans cross the border to US all the time. So should you blame the American govt for any crime that mexicans do in US because their entrance was facilitated by whatever means? Iranians and Al-quade have had frequent man to man battels on the Iran-afghanestan border for years, and as a matter of fact they have very different beliefs. The problem with US is that they actually think Iranians give a **** about Islam or Arabs. All the iranian gov't wants is to have enough influence in the region so that things wouldn't get outta control. In other words to balance the power in middle east. If Israel is the + pole of a battery, Iran wants to be the - pole.

 

[howui3]

Here are some facts, as they appear on CIA's world fact publication. Or is this part of my continued propaganda?

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/is.html


Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. On 24 June 2002, US President BUSH laid out a "road map" for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which envisions a two-state solution. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Palestinian-Israeli violence between September 2000 and February 2005. An agreement reached at Sharm al-Sheikh in February 2005 significantly reduced the violence. The election in January 2005 of Mahmud ABBAS as the new Palestinian leader following the November 2004 death of Yasir ARAFAT, the formation of a Likud-Labor-United Torah Judaism coalition government in January 2005, and the successful Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip (August-September 2005), presented an opportunity for a renewed peace effort. However, internal Israeli political events between October and December 2005 have destabilized the political situation and forced early elections, scheduled for March 2006.

 

[fightingspirit]

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[Comet208]

Audio, My fellow Persian bro,

As you noticed during your interview, your interviewer did not have a bad intension when he asked that question. He asked you if you have been back and you said yes and you liked it as your home country. I am sure you did not talk about the government and the politics as it would have been out of place. So no worries there. Neither of you crossed any lines and you only expressed your idea of how it was when you visited few years ago.

Luckily, there are many many Harvard graduates that are Persians. When you attend HSDM, you will get to meet lots of current students who are also Persians (they are in different schools at Harvard though.. I have lots of Persian friends who just graduated from their med, dent, law, and business schools). There are lots of persian faculties as well (i.e: Dr. Geula teaches neuroscience to both dental and medical students there. Aside from his neurosci research, he also conducts research on the helath issues in Iran). you see, they know Iran and its people a lot more than you could have told them.. they know we work hard and almost 99% dont agree with the current Iranian government.

Moral of the story: dont stress it. your interviewer wanted to start off a conversation with you and he did. If being from a certain country/region was an issue in the application process, many other Middle eastern applicants would be denied before you.

 

[starbright]

yes he can ask u that. i've been asked a lot about my ethnicity and my experiences. no big deal.

 

[drhobie7]

If all that happened in the interview is what you wrote, then you're completely overreacting. Calling will not help. It'll make you look like a lunatic.

 

[Audio]

If all that happened in the interview is what you wrote, then you're completely overreacting. Calling will not help. It'll make you look like a lunatic.

Well, it's a good thing I posted on SDN and got the help of my good and sane friends 😀

 

[duh?]

Well, it's a good thing I posted on SDN and got the help of my good and sane friends 😀

So you finally agree that you're insane huh? (No Audio, you can't win either. 😀 )

 

[Comet208]

So you finally agree that you're insane huh? (No Audio, you can't win either. 😀 )

I sense too much 😍 in the air.

 

[nothen2do]

HOWUI3,

CIA=MOSSAD ZIONIST LOBBY=WHAT THE CIA CAN AND SHOULD SAY ABOUT ARABS.

dont quote CIA as though they are the BBC or somethin.....

besides, who's talking about partition and israel proper...

I WAS TALKING ABOUT SETTTTTTTTTLEMENTTTTTTTSSSS!!!!!!!

YOU KNOW THAT THOSE ARE ILLEGAL! YOU KNOW THAT VERRRRRRRRY WELL
BUT PRINCESS ISRAEL CAN GET AWAY WITH IT CUS ITS JEWISH.....

yow, you know the deal.....you know the unspoken...dont act like you dont...everybody sees the injustice but no one has the balls to speak up.....

You sound like one big crazy racist..thought you should know. I will never understand how someone can go into a pizza parlor, walk towards little kids, and blow themselves up. And you're right, Its all a cover up, the US and the world are being controlled by the zionists...Sheesh, you're starting to sound like the new Iranian president (who I'm sure does not wholly represent his people, hopefully not atleast)

 

[fightingspirit]

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[fightingspirit]

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[EyeAmCommi]

The same people probably brought up the "proof" that Iraq had chemical weapons. And how did the US intelligence get this detailed information while they fuk*ed up the presense of chemical weapons in Iraq? and Also Im not sure if I understand the word "facilitated". This could mean someone crossing a border because the borders weren't protected well. Mexicans cross the border to US all the time. So should you blame the American govt for any crime that mexicans do in US because their entrance was facilitated by whatever means? Iranians and Al-quade have had frequent man to man battels on the Iran-afghanestan border for years, and as a matter of fact they have very different beliefs. The problem with US is that they actually think Iranians give a **** about Islam or Arabs. All the iranian gov't wants is to have enough influence in the region so that things wouldn't get outta control. In other words to balance the power in middle east. If Israel is the + pole of a battery, Iran wants to be the - pole.

Facilitated in this sense meant allowing the Saudis to pass through checkpoints without visa. What that means is the guards were instructed to not stamp their passports?

 

[ARguy]

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[fightingspirit]

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[ARguy]

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[fightingspirit]

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[ARguy]

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[fightingspirit]

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[ARguy]

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[fightingspirit]

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[ARguy]

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[fightingspirit]

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[ARguy]

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[fightingspirit]

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[ARguy]

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[molarama]

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.

Audio we're talking about an an educated person interviewing you, who probably knows all about the intellectual history of the Persian Empire, and was probably trying to make you feel comfortable at the beginning of the interview....ya that worked great!
I honestly think maybe inside you felt a little uncomfortable and that's an internal issue you have to deal with. Add that waiting for an acceptance and we get this thread. I'm also not caucasian and ya sometimes we get a little paranoid about someone judging my whole race through me. Sure the US has its share of racists, but you're not gonna find as many within an academic setting, esp Harvard.
Definitely don't bring it up with the admissions committee.

 

[molarama]

Audio we're talking about an an educated person interviewing you, who probably knows all about the intellectual history of the Persian Empire, and was probably trying to make you feel comfortable at the beginning of the interview....ya that worked great!
I honestly think maybe inside you felt a little uncomfortable and that's an internal issue you have to deal with. Add that waiting for an acceptance and we get this thread. I'm also not caucasian and ya sometimes we get a little paranoid about someone judging my whole race through me. Sure the US has its share of racists, but you're not gonna find as many within an academic setting, esp Harvard.
Definitely don't bring it up with the admissions committee.

Wow this thread has gone off in all sorts of directions.
ARguy you're quite annoying. Fighting spirit is making some very rational and thought-provoking points, while your responses remind me of grade school jokes. Fightingspirit I personally never heard that Yale, Columbia UPenn encourage more reform and critical thinking, while Harvard is at the other end. Interesting. I thought all kind of are the same, while the west coast UCLA, etc are more liberal.

 

[Sprgrover]

Let's stop the bickering and mudslinging and keep this thread on topic. I don't like shutting threads down.

 

[fightingspirit]

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[fightingspirit]

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[nothen2do]

SPRGROVER, i apologize if i was a major factor in taking this thread in a different direction. it's just that sometimes one feels an irresistable urge to voice opinions that are not given a chance in the press or in the classroom. i will stop at this point.

I bet you I can make you continue arguing haha.

 

[ARguy]

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[ias2512]

Dude, ARguy, why are you even trying? Your posts are becoming pathetic and stupid.

 

[ARguy]

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[ias2512]

That's because they were meant to be that way genius. Your boyfriend hijacked this thread and I was trying to use levity in order to show him the error of his ways. Apparently both of you failed to see this. Now go back to your hole before I open up on you too.

OMG...wat a loser...lol

 

[ARguy]

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[DcS]

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

Ahh, the irony of someone claiming prejudice during an interview and then referring to another poster as 'your people'.

 

[Audio]

Ahh, the irony of someone claiming prejudice during an interview and then referring to another poster as 'your people'.

First of all, I made it clear that there was no prejudice, I just wanted to know if the line of questioning was appropriate.

Secondly, me using the term "your people" is fine. duh? is Nigerian. Nigerians aren't demonized in the US. And if I were to be prejudice against Africans, then I wouldn't spend my free time working to establish an international charity to fund the education of African children.

 

[SuperC]

I would say that part of an interview is to MAKE you feel uncomfortable. When you are uncomfortable it gets you off your pre-programmed responses and forces you to think on your toes. That being said…

Do I think this guy was messing with you… No. Do I think you are reading into this too much… yes.
-C

 

[fearishmv]

if you don't like "Americans," don't apply to an American dental school, don't take another persons spot that would be honored to have the opportunity, don't live in America and get the hell out. go to a dental school outside North America, come back (because I know you will) and then tell us what you have to complain about.

 

[Audio]

if you don't like "Americans," don't apply to an American dental school, don't take another persons spot that would be honored to have the opportunity, don't live in America and get the hell out. go to a dental school outside North America, come back (because I know you will) and then tell us what you have to complain about.

yeah, the above is sort of the stereotypical view of SOME Americans. So would you agree that if this guy was interviewing me, then I'd basically be screwed as a person of Iranian decent? Thankfully, I agree with most of you guys that a Harvard professor would have to be rational and a lot less ignorant than this 👍

 

[mcshow2]

Wow! Funny thread. I read the whole thing from page 1-4 all the way through.

My take (being white I am not sure how much credibility this statement has but...): What ever happened to perserverence...? Not everyone is dealt the same cards, there have been times where I felt I have gotten the short end of the stick. I like to see the people who are so focused on succeeding (in whatever), that they don't have time or energy to look for excuses or for ways they have been picked on.

I ask people all the time what ethnic background their name is from. I think its a harmless way (so I thought) of sparking conversation. And I too am generally interested and thought people would feel comfortable talking about themselves and their backgrounds. If you can't feel comfort when talking about yourself... what can you feel comfortable with? (not to audio, just a general question.)

 

[Audio]

if you don't like "Americans," don't apply to an American dental school, don't take another persons spot that would be honored to have the opportunity, don't live in America and get the hell out. go to a dental school outside North America, come back (because I know you will) and then tell us what you have to complain about.

yeah, the above is sort of the stereotypical view of SOME Americans. So would you agree that if this guy was interviewing me, then I'd basically be screwed as a person of Iranian decent? Thankfully, I agree with most of you guys that a Harvard professor would have to be rational and a lot less ignorant than this 👍

And for the record, I never said I don't like Americans. Most people on this board are American and I like most of you losers on SDN 😀 And believe me, I would be honored to matriculate at Harvard or Penn or Buffalo or any other fine school that accepted me. Also, I don't need to leave North America. I was born and raised in Canada so no problems with North America 😀

Americans and Canadians are pretty much the same. There are some differences. For example, I could never imagine a Canadian responding like the guy above did 😱 But then again, I guess I'm not allowed to ask a simple question about interview procedures and share a situation that happened along the application process. 🙄 I think this is just a scare tactic...I think fearishmv wants my spot at Penn 😀

 

[dentropy]

Well, even if I don't get into dental school this year...at least there has been some good entertainment this application cycle. Ahh, the suspense, the drama, the emotionally-charged ideological discussions! Ahhh, to be an early twenty-something fresh out of a political science GE class and ready do battle with my pre-dental peers on matters I know little more than what my parents tell me or I see on FOX news. Good job changing the topic of this thread, people.

and back to the topic originally at hand...
Audio, while I think you can be cocky at times, it is unfortunate you had a bad experience at your interview. Things probably went better than you perceive they did. Chalk it up to experience; perhaps the interviewer is just plain socially inept. Some people, while they might be brillant academically, don't have any finesse when it comes to interactions with human beings. Look on the bright side, you've been interviewed and accepted to schools that many applicants could only dream of attending-- hence the dearth of sympathies. I wouldn't be suprised if you get that Harvard acceptance shortly. Well, that's my two cents. I need to study for a test now.
-D

 

[mcshow2]

and back to the topic originally at hand...
Audio, while I think you can be cocky at times, it is unfortunate you had a bad experience at your interview. Things probably went better than you perceive they did. Chalk it up to experience; perhaps the interviewer is just plain socially inept. Some people, while they might be brillant academically, don't have any finesse when it comes to interactions with human beings. Look on the bright side, you've been interviewed and accepted to schools that many applicants could only dream of attending-- hence the dearth of sympathies. I wouldn't be suprised if you get that Harvard acceptance shortly. Well, that's my two cents. I need to study for a test now.
-D

I think if Audio asked his question and dentropy would have given the response he did above, the thread would have been done.

Nice post. 🙂

 

[Audio]

Wow! Funny thread. I read the whole thing from page 1-4 all the way through.

My take (being white I am not sure how much credibility this statement has but...): What ever happened to perserverence...? Not everyone is dealt the same cards, there have been times where I felt I have gotten the short end of the stick. I like to see the people who are so focused on succeeding (in whatever), that they don't have time or energy to look for excuses or for ways they have been picked on.

I ask people all the time what ethnic background their name is from. I think its a harmless way (so I thought) of sparking conversation. And I too am generally interested and thought people would feel comfortable talking about themselves and their backgrounds. If you can't feel comfort when talking about yourself... what can you feel comfortable with? (not to audio, just a general question.)

Hey mcshow2,

I totally agree with you. Believe me, asking about a preson's background is a great way to break the ice. And in a normal social situation, I wouldn't mind at all.

But you had to understand it from my point. Iran is the USAs new "target" and an enemy of the "free world". I understand this and believe me, I am in favor of regime change in Iran, most Iranians are (maybe not by dropping bombs but I would support the US funding organizations aimed at toppling the corrupt Iranian government). Anyways, if you look at it from my point of view, I walked into the biggest interview of my life totally focused on dentistry and why I have a passion for it and the first question I get asked was about my ties to the enemy of the United States. Of course now I realize it's not a big deal at all, but you have to admit that it could have thrown anyone off. Let me say again, this was probably the biggest interview of my life and I just wasnt' expecting a question like that.

But it's done with, I tried to respond the best way I could. I don't believe my interviewer had any bad intentions at all. I'm not going to call Harvard, call him, sue Harvard, or bitch and moan about it if I don't get in. It was just a question and then fact that a number of people responded with hostility proves that the situation is not so clear cut and that there is some validity to my concerns about racial tension.

That being said, just let this thread die people. It's over and done with. I want to make it clear that I wasn't bad mouthing Harvard or my interviewer because as I said A BILLION TIMES, he was a nice guy!

Have a great day,

Audio 😍