Harvard student embarrassed to say the school’s name

[Nrdsb4]

<p>^^^LOL!</p>

<p>And this one:</p>

<p><a href=“30 Rock - Twofer's Plan B - YouTube”>30 Rock - Twofer's Plan B - YouTube;

[dadx]

<p>The same thing happened on the Princeton girl youtube comments with some jack*** who didn’t “get it” jumping in to argue that the video was wrong, and Princeton was inferior to the Wharton business experience. LOL. The whole point wasn’t which one was superior, the point was the overbearing smugness of the Wharton guy----which as we all know is not restricted to Wharton or any other particular school. It comes in all sizes shapes and colors. </p>

[keepittoyourself]

<p>

It doesn’t matter what country you’re in. That’s the whole point. Harvard is a world-wide show-stopping brand, as well known as Coke. What, you think people in France go gaga at “Sorbonne” vs when the hear “Harvard”? You owe it to the discussion to name the school you think has an effect on the conversation equal to or greater than “Harvard.” Then let the members of CC weigh in and decide. Let’s see you put your card(s) down.

</p>

<p>Wow, do you have anger issues or is this just a particularly touchy subject for you? No, I don’t ‘owe it to the discussion’ to have a (presumably overwhelmingly American) internet forum tell me how universities are perceived in my own country. I hope even you can see how ridiculous that would be.</p>

<p>I don’t really have much idea of how people in France react, though I would guess that the most impressive destination you could give them would be the ENA.</p>

<p>To speak from my own experience, top American unis including Harvard are seen as where those who don’t quite have the brains but do have the ‘leadership’ or extracurriculars or money go. Like in China, where those who don’t get into the top schools after the gaokao will head to Britain and the USA. There is one exception: of course Harvard is respected here, but the real showstopper American university would be Stanford.</p>

[Sue22]

<p>

“Similarly, people who went to top prep schools will never quite regard those from other schools who got into the same college as being quite on their level.”</p>

<p>Such people need to get over themselves, and fast. I’ve gone to school and worked with people who went to Exeter, Choate, Andover, Taft, etc. They’re people just like anybody else. They just happened to have had a different high school experience from most other people. They’re not uniformly smarter or more well-accomplished. They put their pants legs on one at a time just like the rest of us.</p>

<p>Ditto for people who have attended Harvard Business School. They aren’t some special race of people with superhuman powers.

</p>

<p>Yet I don’t see anyone who attended these schools claiming that they’re somehow intellectually superior to the masses. It always seems to be people who didn’t attend insisting that alumni from these schools see themselves as all that.</p>

<p>I see this all the time on CC. Kids who are desperate to attend an Ivy League school insisting that it would make their lives complete and Ivy League students and alumni countering with, “Yes they’re good schools but there are many, many good schools out there from which to choose. Attending one of these schools is not going to magically transform your life.”</p>

[makennacompton]

<p>Wasatchwriter,

Can you please take this spat somewhere else?

</p>

<p>Hey, I’m not the one with the Harvard shield on my profile picture. . . </p>

[Requin]

<p>@keepittoyourself I am curious - what is the ‘showstopper’ college in your country (I assume UK)? Do the different colleges within Oxford or Cambridge elicit different reactions then? </p>

[keepittoyourself]

<p>Not the UK, I’m afraid. And I’m not really comfortable discussing private information. But I do know the UK pretty well, and it’s only in the upper and middle classes that people would even really know that Oxbridge is divided into colleges, and only the top end of those people would have any opinions about their relative merits (most famously, the women-only colleges or those far out of town were considered easier to get into).</p>

[makennacompton]

<p>

It doesn't matter what country you're in. That's the whole point. Harvard is a world-wide show-stopping brand, as well known as Coke. What, you think people in France go gaga at "Sorbonne" vs when the hear "Harvard"? You owe it to the discussion to name the school you think has an effect on the conversation equal to or greater than "Harvard." Then let the members of CC weigh in and decide. Let's see you put your card(s) down.</p>

<p>Wow, do you have anger issues or is this just a particularly touchy subject for you? No, I don’t ‘owe it to the discussion’ to have a (presumably overwhelmingly American) internet forum tell me how universities are perceived in my own country. I hope even you can see how ridiculous that would be.</p>

<p>I don’t really have much idea of how people in France react, though I would guess that the most impressive destination you could give them would be the ENA.</p>

<p>To speak from my own experience, top American unis including Harvard are seen as where those who don’t quite have the brains but do have the ‘leadership’ or extracurriculars or money go. Like in China, where those who don’t get into the top schools after the gaokao will head to Britain and the USA. There is one exception: of course Harvard is respected here, but the real showstopper American university would be Stanford.

</p>

<p>I agree with you that the local university choice (in certain foreign countries) is perceived as harder than Harvard or the Ivies. But that isn’t the gravamen of this discussion, which is about the breathless perception of the “wow” factor, not an academic rigor comparison.</p>

<p>See this best-selling book in China, “Harvard Girl.” <a href=“Harvard Girl - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Girl&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Just by this single example, I think I have proved my point. There is no best-selling book in China called “Tsinghua Girl” (even though Tsinghua being universally acknowledged as the best, toughest university in China and probably much tougher than Harvard), no movies “set” on the ENA (whatever that is . . .) campus as the Facebook movie (“Social Network”) (among many others, “Love Story”) was set at Harvard, etc. etc. Helps to disseminate the ethos and the name.</p>

<p>I have no anger issues, I just love facts. </p>

[keepittoyourself]

<p>If you don’t know what the ENA is, you really have no business commenting on the relative prestige of different universities in different countries. It is arguably central to French life of the past fifty years: <a href=“École nationale d'administration - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/École_nationale_d’administration&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I’m not sure that your anecdotal collection of mostly American culture (do you read Chinese? How do you know there aren’t lots of Chinese books and films set at Tsinghua?) is supposed to contribute here. There are about a billion films and TV shows set at Oxford, and far fewer at Cambridge, as far as I can tell. Does that mean that Oxford has much more of a ‘wow’ factor than Cambridge?</p>

<p>“I agree with you that the local university choice (in certain foreign countries) is perceived as harder than Harvard or the Ivies. But that isn’t the gravamen of this discussion, which is about the breathless perception of the “wow” factor, not an academic rigor comparison.”</p>

<p>You really ought not to tell people what they mean, or tell people what their experiences are. I wasn’t talking about an academic rigour comparison, directly, but about the ‘wow’ factor. Harvard doesn’t have quite the same dominating wow factor where I’m from, at least in part because it’s seen as a research powerhouse that attracts slightly weaker undergraduates.</p>

<p>I’m not trying to tell you how Harvard is seen in the US (though I do have a lot of experience in the US, and some opinions about that). I agree that the H ‘wow factor’ in the USA is probably unmatched. But you shouldn’t try to tell me what things are like in my country, especially when you don’t even know which one it is! Your home bias is showing.</p>

<p>(Also strikes me as an odd use of ‘gravamen’, btw - who is complaining?)</p>

[Sue22]

<p>As an aside, I love the education dynamic on “The Office.”</p>

<p>Ellie Kemper (Erin) and Mindy Kaling (Kelly), who play the ditziest characters, attended Princeton and Dartmouth in real life. John Krasinski (Jim) went to Brown. BJ Novack (Ryan) is a Harvard grad. Steve Carrell and Mindy Kaling both attended tony prep schools (Middlesex and BB&N.) With the exception of Krasinski they all play idiots.</p>

<p>Mindy was one of the head writers, which always made me wonder if that’s where Ed Helm’s character Andy’s Cornell insecurity came from. If I remember correctly there’s an episode where someone insists Cornell isn’t in the Ivy League and Andy goes apoplectic. Then there’s the episode in which Dwight “applies” to the Cornell Ag School.</p>

<p>Dwight: So, uh, how do you think we’re gonna do against Penn this year? Nathan Ford’s arm looks pretty strong.
Andy: He’s had a pretty good season so far… Stop saying “we.” You did not go to Cornell, ok? You’re just doing this to screw with me.
Dwight: Not so, Cornell is an excellent school. Without its agricultural we probably wouldn’t have cabbage. At least not modern cabbage.
Andy: I know it’s an excellent school, Dwight. I went there. My blood runs Big Red.
Dwight: Some day we’ll get together in Comstock Hall and just laugh about all this.
Meredith: You know I once dated a couple guys from Cornell. They were really nice. They gave me a ride home.
Andy: I seriously doubt anyone from Cornell dated you.
Creed: It’s pronounced colonel and it’s the highest rank in the military.
Andy: It’s pronounced Cor-nell! It’s the highest rank in the Ivy League!
Dwight: Andy, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Which a capella group should I join? The Harmoniacs? Or the Doh-Ray-Mee-gos?</p>

[makennacompton]

<p>

If you don’t know what the ENA is, you really have no business commenting on the relative prestige of different universities in different countries. It is arguably central to French life of the past fifty years: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/École_nationale_d’administration"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/École_nationale_d’administration&lt;/a&gt;

</p>

<p>Thank you for supplying me with the evidence I needed. Clearly, you, a foreigner and I believe you speak for all foreigners, have heard of Harvard. I have never heard of ENA. That’s the point: most people who even vaguely think about colleges in the world have heard of Harvard, if they have heard of any non-local college at all. I sincerely doubt that your average Korean or Chinese have ever heard of “ENA,” however much it dominates the rankings in France . . .</p>

<p>Really, don’t you just love a good useless, juvenile discussion like we’re having here! Pointless and wonderful in its own mindless way. Only on CC!</p>

[makennacompton]

<p>

I’m not sure that your anecdotal collection of mostly American culture (do you read Chinese? How do you know there aren’t lots of Chinese books and films set at Tsinghua?) is supposed to contribute here. There are about a billion films and TV shows set at Oxford, and far fewer at Cambridge, as far as I can tell. Does that mean that Oxford has much more of a ‘wow’ factor than Cambridge?

</p>

<p>Sorry, I forgot to comment on this piece above. I do not read Chinese, so that there may be in fact tons of books that the Chinese read about various schools along the lines of “You Can Always Tell a Harvard Man” Bissell 1962). Fair enough. As far as the Oxford v Cambridge thing, I think Cambridge will gain the upper hand with the impending release of “The Theory of Everything” about Stephen Hawking, set in Cambridge. As far as whether Oxford has more of a “wow” factor than Cambridge, I wouldn’t know: my point was only that dissemination of the Harvard brand has been further fostered in movies that have had global appeal and recognition – I can actually think of no movie(s) in which Cambridge or Oxford were featured that attained any widespread popularity, over a broad scope of time (“Love Story” for example came out in 1970) and then of course we have “Good Will Hunting”, “Legally Blonde” among others. And, as that scion of journalism USA Today reports, “Harvard is a popular backdrop for college flicks, and for good reason. Its history and reputation for academic rigor and upper-crust milieu have intrigued filmmakers and audiences alike.”</p>

<p>I know you disagree, but all I am trying to point out is that Harvard – and only Harvard – occupies a certain strata in the general milieu and public perception of educational excellence . . . and this perception is worldwide. It’s kine of like the Borg: irresistable. </p>

<p>In reply to, “But you shouldn’t try to tell me what things are like in my country, especially when you don’t even know which one it is! Your home bias is showing.” I would say that whatever your country, most people who have any opinion about college know about Harvard, and for that reason alone, it proves the there is some sort of factor at work, sufficient to be “wow” as in, “wow, how do people in xyz country even know that?!!”</p>

[Sue22]

<p>

Thank you for supplying me with the evidence I needed. Clearly, you, a foreigner and I believe you speak for all foreigners, have heard of Harvard. I have never heard of ENA. That’s the point: most people who even vaguely think about colleges in the world have heard of Harvard, if they have heard of any non-local college at all.

</p>

<p>Sadly, I don’t think you’re making the point you think you are.</p>

[Requin]

<p>Rule 1 of holes: when in one, stop digging.</p>

[VaBluebird]

<p>I know for myself, I definitely immediately realize I am super stupid next to them and am self conscious.</p>

[VaBluebird]

<p>but when our very wise and long term pediatrician asked me point blank, “Can you believe how your kids turned out?” >>>>></p>

<p>OMG, seriously? Wow.</p>

[VaBluebird]

<p>I think if someone is intimidated by hearing that you went to Harvard (or wherever), it says more about them and their insecurities than it does about you>>>>>>>></p>

<p>See!</p>

[soccerguy315]

<p>

Clearly, you, a foreigner and I believe you speak for all foreigners

</p>

<p>lol</p>

[mikenan15]

<p>I dont understand this, be proud of the work you put in and where you attend. Going to Harvard does not say anything about you except that you did very well in high school.</p>

[keepittoyourself]

<p>

I dont understand this, be proud of the work you put in and where you attend. Going to Harvard does not say anything about you except that you did very well in high school.

</p>

<p>In other words that, at least in high school, you were smart, hardworking and driven. Sounds pretty good to me.</p>

<p>

I know you disagree, but all I am trying to point out is that Harvard – and only Harvard – occupies a certain strata in the general milieu and public perception of educational excellence . . . and this perception is worldwide. It’s kine of like the Borg: irresistable.</p>

<p>In reply to, “But you shouldn’t try to tell me what things are like in my country, especially when you don’t even know which one it is! Your home bias is showing.” I would say that whatever your country, most people who have any opinion about college know about Harvard, and for that reason alone, it proves the there is some sort of factor at work, sufficient to be “wow” as in, “wow, how do people in xyz country even know that?!!”

</p>

<p>Nobody is denying that Harvard has a global brand with a certain ‘wow’ factor. Nobody in this thread at least. And maybe in the US Harvard is more wowwy than any other university. Perhaps.</p>

<p>But you are trying to tell me that in <i>every</i> other country, Harvard is the <i>only</i> place with such a wow factor. And you’re basing that on a few books and things. And that is just nonsense. You can’t know how people in 200 countries feel about various universities, and I am here telling you that you are outright wrong about my own country at least. Of course Harvard is considered very impressive, but if you really wanted to wow people with an American university, you’d name Stanford.</p>

<p>

Thank you for supplying me with the evidence I needed. Clearly, you, a foreigner and I believe you speak for all foreigners, have heard of Harvard. I have never heard of ENA. That’s the point: most people who even vaguely think about colleges in the world have heard of Harvard, if they have heard of any non-local college at all. I sincerely doubt that your average Korean or Chinese have ever heard of “ENA,” however much it dominates the rankings in France . . .

</p>

<p>I’m not French, by the way, and I know about the ENA. Perhaps you’re just not as informed as you think you are? Earlier you (who by your own admission haven’t heard about the ENA) were trying to tell us about how French people react to the Sorbonne vs Harvard. Get a grip. What are you basing this on?</p>

<p>

I can actually think of no movie(s) in which Cambridge or Oxford were featured that attained any widespread popularity, over a broad scope of time (“Love Story” for example came out in 1970) and then of course we have “Good Will Hunting”, “Legally Blonde” among others. And, as that scion of journalism USA Today reports, “Harvard is a popular backdrop for college flicks, and for good reason. Its history and reputation for academic rigor and upper-crust milieu have intrigued filmmakers and audiences alike.”

</p>

<p>Here again you are in danger of over-generalising your American experience. Of course a lot of American films have been set at Harvard. But here in Europe, to name two things, the TV series ‘Inspector Morse’ and the recent film ‘The Riot Club’, both set at Oxford, are huge. Legally Blonde was pretty popular when it came out, but I don’t think anyone could tell you where it was set. Wasn’t Good Will Hunting mostly set at MIT, anyway?</p>

<p>America is not a microcosm of the whole world. Just because Harvard is considered uniquely wowwy there, doesn’t mean that it is everywhere else.</p>