Well, it may not be fair, I don't know much about the kid. However, I can only imagine that being the personal assistant to Bush is quite the experience. Let the people who don't get into HBS be angry, but if the kid isn't ready, he probably won't cut it.

I don't agree with that. How is it any different than the idiotic son or daughter of a wealthy donor getting into Harvard based on their father's donations? One student doesn't change the reputation.

Well, this is slightly off the topic because the kid doesn't have a degree...but people get into top schools all the time because of other reasons than grades and test scores. GPA especially has very little bearing on success. There are a lot of brain-dead people in the world who blew through undergrad with a 3.98.

the point is that the kid didn't have a gpa in the first place. he's a freshman dropout. didn't do a sophomore, junior, or senior year.

I don't care if the person worked for Clinton or Bush (since I'm an Independent and don't think too highly of either President).

I'm tickled that shinerbock brought up Affirmative Action (again).

I've learned more traveling, interning with law firms, and conversing with politicians than I ever could have during 4 years of undergrad....so I don't think its a big deal. I'm sure the decision makers at Harvard can spot talent a little better than all of us.

I don't think the B-School at Harvard has to worry about its reputation being "diluted". In terms of undergraduates: many Tier 1 nationally ranked research universities and LACs have been known to accept high-powered hs juniors into their BA/BS programs without the benefit of a hs diploma. Both my father and brother matriculated into MIT each after their 11th grade of hs. A classmate of my daughter did the same for Wellesley last year. You can find this issue specifically addressed in the application packets. Some colleges have accepted 12 year olds.

Other colleges and unis provide the opportunity to apply for a 6 year BS/MD, 5 year BA/MPP or MA, 6 year BA/JD programs. They are basing these acceptances on hs performance. Of course the students have to maintain a certain GPA, but usually the GRE/LSAT/MCATS are not required of these students.

There are certain exceptions to any rule. Harvard can accept anyone it wants to. I have no problem as long as the exception is for a good reason.

Being an aide to an alum, who happens to be President, is not a good reason in my opinion.

If someone can prove that this guy in a genious or prodigy, that's one thing.

All that has been mentioned so far is that he is a college dropout with friends in very high places.

Show that he is more deserving than those people who have applied themselves and played the game as the others must, and I'll understand.

But doesn't those programs have a lot of requirements? I remember that when I started college, we were told that after our junior year we could go straight to medical school--totally bypassing our bachelor's, but the catch was that if we were to drop out of medical school, we would NOT have our bachelor's, and we'd have to start all over again.

All i'm saying is that, ok this guy might have been an absolute genius. A sort of "child prodigy" if you will, or this guy could have been a total dipshit. One that can't tell whether he farted or burped, because he doesn't know which is which.

And why bring up affirmative action? Was it really necessary to go there? Fine...i'm an under represented minority and I worked DAMN HARD to get where I am, and all I ask is that others do the same.

Its not a question about race, religion or creed...or even who the president is at the time, its a question of smarts. Did the guy really have enough smarts to get in?

I brought up affirmative action because people are concerned about this kid getting into school for a reason other than academic performance.

I also think you guys are downplaying what it is to be PA to a President.

What's so "high and mighty" about being a PA? I mean, i'm not trying to sound rude or anything, but i've never had any experience in that area, so I dont know.

Have you been a PA to a President before?

"To a President"...You act as though its just any ole assistant position. You're working in close contact on a daily basis with the most powerful people in the world. The top white house journalists would dream of such access to the inner workings of the executive branch. Maybe you guys just aren't political/government/history junkies like I am, but I'd quit law school to go do it...in a heartbeat.

In all honesty (crucify me if you will), I think being a PA to the President is like any ol' assistant position. I don't know the "inner workings" of what happens, and I have no basis of comparison. But, I don't treat anyone any different. I'd treat the President the same way i'd treat anyone else, so I guess your right...to me its not that big of a thing.

if you get into a law school without a bachelor's degree, then let me know so i can sign on the dotted line. it's not about learning, it's about minimum requirements.

I imagine you also have the opportunity to be around when things happen, learn the process involved, talk to various people in positions of power...I guess people just aren't as politically minded as me. I was in awe half the time I was doing a congressional internship, so assistant to the President would be incredible in my mind.

so these are the equivalent of a freshman drop out?

apparently walking dogs and holding mints replaces a bachelor's.

You guys are ridiculous.

http://www.calbar.org/pub250/b/s0080-a.htm

Actually if you look at (e)(2)(iii) and (iv) of this rule, you can work in a law firm or for a judge instead of going to law school (in California).

I don't think that anyone's saying (well at least I'm not saying) that holding mints, making PB&J or walking dogs is sufficient to qualify someone for anything....except another job as a personal assistant.

Probably the same as any ol' assistant position. Plus Presidents have more than one assistant.

Maybe we're failing to realize how much key info this assistant was exposed to. Maybe he's seen some government and "powerful people" conspiracies and coverups taking place. That would definitely explain people kissing his ass for the rest of his life. Or putting a hit out on him. :eek:

Most of us aren't surprised about a white male getting into anything for reasons other than hard work.


Oh--you were talking about the type of Affirmative Action that supposedly benefits women and racial and ethnic minorities. :D

ETA: This topic is and isn't about race. Sure, it's possibly a sign of the "good ol' boys network" but if it were exposed that this guy is nonwhite, I'd still be like "give me a break--can't blame you for doing what millions of white men have done before you--but, give me a break."

a President has a "body-man" which is supposedly what this kid was. Watch West Wing or something, damn.

HA!

Just like folks should watch CSI to know how quickly homicides are solved. :D

Even that is more direct experience and they hopefully expect the person to have some years of experience.

Being a personal assistant for the Pres fulfills b-school prerequisites how?

DST, well, its obviously just a tv show, but from what I've seen/heard its fairly accurate as far as duties and presence and whatnot.

Indeed.

Well Wikipedia seems to say it's all traditional assistant work http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_man

I don't know how accurate Wikipedia is though....I once saw an entry on a sorority page saying (obviously I'm changing the names) "All XYZ's from State U are fat". LOL

"A body man is, in American political jargon, a personal assistant to a politician or political candidate. A body man accompanies the politician or candidate virtually everywhere, often arranging lodging, transportation or meals, and providing companionship, snacks, a cellphone, and any other necessary assistance."

The whole "editing" option on Wikipedia always makes me chuckle. They're supposed to have quality control over there.

That may be true, but (using DST's example) so is CSI. I've heard it a very accurate portray of the job of a criminalist.

But just because that was the job description on West Wing, doesn't mean its the same as what this PA had do to with Bush. Everyone has differen't requirements and "odd jobs" for their PA's to do.

When I hear "body man" I think "body double" and think this guy is a stand in while they're adjusting the lighting and stuff for Bush's press conferences, tv addresses, etc. Or a stand in for the gratuitous ass shot... ewwwww!

LOL..... for some reason I picture a "body man" attached with something, maybe velcro, to the President. Sort of like a koala.

Or maybe a personal trainer. Or someone that does body work on his fleet of limos.

LOL!

I actually thought of a glorified toe nail clipper. But the butt double thing is probably what got him into Harvard.

Or someone who puts lotion all over his body and trims his body hair...in addition to trimming his toenails.

that doesn't address anything i said

has nothing to do with practice

uhhhhh, lol

I know it wasn't a direct answer to your question. It does, however, address the issue of bypassing a requirement (i.e. being admitted to the California State Bar) with job experience.

i'd hardly equate studying law under an appointed judge to taking care of Barney and Miss Beazley, lol

This is all really getting to you isn't it? You are beginning to sound ridiculous. I don't really even know why you responded to me about the law school thing.......I realize i'll have to make the requirements to get in. I made the comment in response to someone stating that he shouldn't get into Harvard business school because he wouldn't be able to handle it. Sometimes experience is far more valuable than sitting in a classroom.

With that said, I know Bush's past PA during his first term very well (Logan Walters). He went to Texas and i'm good friends with his younger brother who is at the Citadel. I can promise you he did a little more than walk the dog and hold mints. That article really doesn't do the position any justice.

I am actually quite shocked that some of you don't think being the President's right hand mand is that big of a deal and, what was it, "the same as any 'ole assistant job."

........with that said.....Pierce Bush is about to be over here in a little while........perhaps I'll get him to get the lowdown on all of this. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving uncle George a call.