<p>Fratastic, with your attitude, your seven alumni interviews must have been a gas. I wish I'd been there. (p.s. there's no such word as "conservativism.")</p>
<p>I'm breaking my New Year's resolution by posting; so be it. I'd like to answer the 3 questions that I proposed at the beginning of this thread based on what I've read so far and on my own personal opinions and biases.</p>
<p>Do you think opinions on current politics and political figures are appropriate interview questions?</p>
<p>In an "ideal" world where interviewers and their colleges/universities are impartial, these questions would be appropriate and interesting. But in the "real" world as I see it, the answer would be no.</p>
<p>What is the best response if you suspect that your opinions may clash with those of the interviewers?</p>
<p>I am particularly fond of HImom's answer, where she suggested debating both sides of the issue and not appearing dogmatic.</p>
<p>If you agree or disagree with the interviewer's opinions, do you think that will help or hurt you in the admissions process?</p>
<p>Here I tend to agree with apumic who sugested that interviewers tend to prefer those who agree with them.</p>
<p>I'd also like to thank the "conservative" students who posted. It is relatively easy to write heartfelt posts when you know that you are in the majority; but it takes a lot more courage to post when you are in the minority. </p>
<p>People in this country are allowed to form their own opinions and should not be penalized from expressing them as long as they do it in a respectful manner; that is my opinion.</p>
<p>myriad, thanks for taking time for a thoughtful response. Much of what you say rings true. I'm puzzled, though, by your support for the "conservative" student who said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Women make poor employees. Women who are hired, get pregnant, and get paid for doing nothing. "Equal-opportunity" employing is flawed. I would recommend other similarly qualified candidates over a young married female if I were an employer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>While we all have a right to our opinions, this sort of bigotry should not stand unopposed. If frat had said "blacks make poor employees," or "handicapped people make poor employees" -- would you still thank him for a "heartfelt post"? Is this the face of conservatism in America?</p>
<p>Myriad :</p>
<p>I did not read all thraed. But if you are a true conservative, then you know in your heart all human are equal. (huwoman for being politically correct too - if word exist). Celloguy has a vaild argument. </p>
<p>Why to have usch narrow opinions? I mean man are born from a man and woman. Mother tecahes so many things in life. So why put all woman down. Some people can be bad but why generalize. The society which does not respect woman tends to falter. </p>
<p>I do not think any conservative (or liberal or neutral politicking views) would support your stance. I am sure you are intellegent and can argue your conservative views without being biased or bigot.</p>
<p>I agree with Myriad. You don't know who your interviewer is, and how he thinks. To make a strong stance on something could be detrimental. Sometimes, however, an interviewer can force the issue, and when that happens, you may as well make your point, because wishywashying and avoiding the question can be just as damaging. Sometimes you just gotta call an interview a loss, and go on, even though it may not have hurt you. You have no control over these things. Most interviewers are not going to do this, as they have a pretty set format of what they should be asking, and I would think they are told not to put students on the spot with controversial questions, though some may do it anyways. The majority of my kids' interviews did not have any questions that made them uncomfortable, in fact the interviewers tended to try to make them as comfortable as possible and guide the direction of the interviews. There were some that did ask what I thought were inappropriate/uncomfortable questions. No politics or religion, however.
Though I do not agree with post #63, the opinion does exist. If it cannot be argued and discussed, I think it is more of a problem than if it can be voiced. How do you fight this sort of thing, if it remains in the closet? There are many such politically incorrect sentiments, that should be discussed and aired. If all such sentiments are supressed, you have no idea how far reaching such opinions are. Sometimes I feel that we are going backwards when we make so many subjects off limits. </p>
<p>I will say that it is not a sentiment that is wise to express in an interview, especially to a female adcom or interviewer. LOL</p>
<p>My nephew volunteered for Kerry's campaign - I'd be surprised if an interviewer didn't ask him about it, and I don't think he could be too weasely about where he stood. I think how I would respond to a question from an interviewer would depend alot on how it came up and what my sense was of how non-judgemental he or she might be about forthwright answers. I certainly wouldn't lie, but I might try to change the subject. </p>
<p>In real life I have a number of conservative friends. Sometimes we argue, sometimes we just talk about other things.</p>
<p>Just rereading cpt's post. I think if I truly thought an interviewer's questions were inappropriate, I might write to the college about the experience.</p>
<p>Myriad--I think I said in an earlier post that I may ask an interviewee about politics if they have played a big role in his/her extracurriculars. Do you think politics should be off the table even if they are a large part of the applicant's extracurricular resume?</p>
<p>In political campaigns, one strategy to gain points is to investigate everything your opponent has said or written, take it out of context and publicize it in order to demonize him or her. I'm not fond of that technique. Remember, it's called College Confidential, so people, especially students often write things in a light-hearted way never expecting some serious minded adult to later use their words against them.</p>
<p>Certain people may look at me suspiciously as some evil and bigoted "conservative." Although I'm still a registered democrat, I no longer vote the party line. Instead, I look at each candidate and issue separately. Personally, I believe that everyone is equal and I don't prejudge people based on race, class, gender or religion. However, in certain circles, that philosophy itself is considered a bigoted one.</p>
<p>A lot of my opinions have been influenced by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which was founded by Alan Charles Kors and Harvery A. Silvergate. Although I don't agree with everything on their website, I find the content to be very informative, important and stimulating.</p>
<p>AdmissionsAddict, I'm not ignoring your question, I just need more time and wisdom to consider it.</p>
<p>PS My son received an email last night from an alumni interviewer requesting an interview.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Though I do not agree with post #63, the opinion does exist. If it cannot be argued and discussed, I think it is more of a problem than if it can be voiced. How do you fight this sort of thing, if it remains in the closet? There are many such politically incorrect sentiments, that should be discussed and aired. If all such sentiments are supressed, you have no idea how far reaching such opinions are. Sometimes I feel that we are going backwards when we make so many subjects off limits.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I totally agree, and I hope you didn't think I was suggesting the poster keep quiet about his opinions, publicly or privately. What I criticized was myriad's seemingly unquestioning approval of his statement (Myriad said "I'd also like to thank the "conservative" students who posted. It is relatively easy to write heartfelt posts when you know that you are in the majority; but it takes a lot more courage to post when you are in the minority.")
Myriad also likened my criticism to character assassination in political campaigns. No! Not fair! The OP made the blatantly sexist statement and confirmed it when I questioned him. Nobody is running for office here, and nobody's reputation will be harmed. It was the bigoted statement that I questioned, and I was (am) looking for a popular uprising against such ideas.</p>