Bush's Sandwich maker to Harvard

starang21 · #1 10-02-2006, 12:20 PM

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513563

"HBS spokesman James E. Aisner ’68 explained the decision to accept Gottesman, even though he is not a college graduate, by telling The Economist that “extraordinary circumstances will sometimes compel it to drop [its] rule” of only admitting students who hold bachelor's degrees. "

apparently making PB&J sandwiches and holding mints are "extraordinary circumstances"

neosoul · #2 10-02-2006, 05:21 PM

I can't even formulate my thoughts into words, so I will just ...

shinerbock · #3 10-02-2006, 05:31 PM

Whats the big deal. I imagine that kid has acquired more knowledge doing that than most of us did in college.

epchick · #4 10-02-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Gottesman has declined all requests for comment on his business school admission, but White House staffers have described him as loyal, warm, and fun-loving

Maybe that is because he spends all his time hanging around Bush's 2 dogs.

Seriously, since when is dating Jenna Bush 10 years ago criteria for Harvard's Business Program (which i'm just gonna assume is something like an MBA)

shinerbock · #5 10-02-2006, 05:57 PM

If he werent connected to W, none of yall would give a damn.

OtterXO · #6 10-02-2006, 06:14 PM

I don't even know why this is a news story. Seriously, it's a huge honor to be the President's personal assistant, no matter what president you work for. It looks like Mr. Assistant just used the prestige of his position to his advantage.... sounds like a smart guy to me

KSigkid · #7 10-02-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterXO

I don't even know why this is a news story. Seriously, it's a huge honor to be the President's personal assistant, no matter what president you work for. It looks like Mr. Assistant just used the prestige of his position to his advantage.... sounds like a smart guy to me

Exactly - and I'm not sure any of us wouldn't try the same thing in his position.

I'm guessing he's getting negative attention because of how unpopular the President is, not because he is taking advantage of the opportunity. I don't see how you can slander the guy for taking the chance to study at Harvard.

DSTCHAOS · #8 10-02-2006, 06:59 PM

Just a reminder of how ridiculous networking can be.

DSTCHAOS · #9 10-02-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I'm guessing he's getting negative attention because of how unpopular the President is, not because he is taking advantage of the opportunity.

Probably both.

I'm not mad at him for taking advantage of the pull that the Pres has on some decisionmakers at Harvard. Does it make it a ridiculous exception to entry criteria? Yep.

DSTCHAOS · #10 10-02-2006, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

If he werent connected to W, none of yall would give a damn.

If he wasn't connected to W, chances are he wouldn't have tried and succeeded in getting to Harvard business.

<---doesn't dislike W

OtterXO · #11 10-02-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

If he wasn't connected to W, chances are he wouldn't have tried and succeeded in getting to Harvard business.

<---doesn't dislike W

Right, but my point was that it doesn't matter what President he worked/works for. I held a position at the White House while Clinton was in office and it has DEFINITELY opened doors for me. People are intrigued by it. I think the guy was smart to apply to Harvard Business School. He probably had a recommendation letter from the President, which is kickass. I'd definitely use that to my advantage for the rest of my life if I were in the same boat.

DSTCHAOS · #12 10-02-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterXO

Right, but my point was that it doesn't matter what President he worked/works for. I held a position at the White House while Clinton was in office and it has DEFINITELY opened doors for me. People are intrigued by it. I think the guy was smart to apply to Harvard Business School. He probably had a recommendation letter from the President, which is kickass. I'd definitely use that to my advantage for the rest of my life if I were in the same boat.

Well I was really just responding to shinerbock's post.

Congratulations on having doors opened for you. The weight of your position should be based on your roles and responsibilities. If you were nothing but a glorified errand person, or didn't do anything that substantially overrode your failure to go to college, I would chuckle if you were accepted into ANY MBA program without a bachelor's degree.

OtterXO · #13 10-02-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Well I was really just responding to shinerbock's post.

Congratulations on having doors opened for you. The weight of your position should be based on your roles and responsibilities. If you were nothing but a glorified errand person, or didn't do anything that substantially overrode your failure to go to college, I would chuckle if you were accepted into ANY MBA program without a bachelor's degree.

I wasn't mentioning my position to be congratulated, I was making the point that people, universities included, are intrigued by job experience where the applicant has worked for a person in a position of power....particularly the President.

DSTCHAOS · #14 10-02-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterXO

I wasn't mentioning my position to be congratulated, I was making the point that people, universities included, are intrigued by job experience where the applicant has worked for a person in a position of power....particularly the President.

And again, shredding important papers for a person in power shouldn't be considered "job experience" that overrides the completion of 4 or more years of higher education.

starang21 · #15 10-02-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Exactly - and I'm not sure any of us wouldn't try the same thing in his position.

I'm guessing he's getting negative attention because of how unpopular the President is, not because he is taking advantage of the opportunity. I don't see how you can slander the guy for taking the chance to study at Harvard.

i'd venture to say that even if the president wasn't unpopular the whole getting a master's without an undergraduate degree first would probably ruffle a few feathers.