POLL: Did you graduate from Harvard?

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: cchen

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I am not impressed with Harvard graduates. We watched a video in one of my astronomy courses asking graduating Harvard students a few basic science questions that they got horribly wrong. Here are some of my favorites. Remember, these are people who are graduating from Harvard with a 4-year degree. This is stuff that you should have at least stumbled upon in your studies at some point.

"What causes the seasons on Earth?"
Common response: The Earth is further away from the sun, so it gets colder
In reality: The Earth is closer to the sun during winter, actually, but the difference in temperature is negligible

"Is there gravity on the moon?"
Common response: No
In reality: The moon has its own gravitational field. In addition to that, the Earth has a negligible gravitational pull on you while you're standing on the moon

"If there is no gravity on the moon, then why didn't the astronauts just float away?"
Common response: They wore heavy boots.
In reality: I don't even know where to begin...

I've come to understand that most Ivy League schools require you to have a lot of money, causing them to reject some highly qualified candidates because it would cost the university too much to give them a full ride. Private unviersities need the income, after all. Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education. It's mostly important to go to an Ivy League school because it's more prestigious than some other university.

And this proves what? There are idiots at every school, including Harvard. You can't prove something based on example. Just because a few people are idiots doesn't mean that the general population there isn't impressive.

You questioned me and then answered the question in the very same paragraph. WTF is wrong with you? 😛

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: cchen

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I am not impressed with Harvard graduates. We watched a video in one of my astronomy courses asking graduating Harvard students a few basic science questions that they got horribly wrong. Here are some of my favorites. Remember, these are people who are graduating from Harvard with a 4-year degree. This is stuff that you should have at least stumbled upon in your studies at some point.

"What causes the seasons on Earth?"
Common response: The Earth is further away from the sun, so it gets colder
In reality: The Earth is closer to the sun during winter, actually, but the difference in temperature is negligible

"Is there gravity on the moon?"
Common response: No
In reality: The moon has its own gravitational field. In addition to that, the Earth has a negligible gravitational pull on you while you're standing on the moon

"If there is no gravity on the moon, then why didn't the astronauts just float away?"
Common response: They wore heavy boots.
In reality: I don't even know where to begin...

I've come to understand that most Ivy League schools require you to have a lot of money, causing them to reject some highly qualified candidates because it would cost the university too much to give them a full ride. Private unviersities need the income, after all. Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education. It's mostly important to go to an Ivy League school because it's more prestigious than some other university.

And this proves what? There are idiots at every school, including Harvard. You can't prove something based on example. Just because a few people are idiots doesn't mean that the general population there isn't impressive.

You questioned me and then answered the question in the very same paragraph. WTF is wrong with you? 😛

you should read your own post

 

[FoBoT]

heck yeah

 

[her209]

Gun > Harvard graduate

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: cchen

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I am not impressed with Harvard graduates. We watched a video in one of my astronomy courses asking graduating Harvard students a few basic science questions that they got horribly wrong. Here are some of my favorites. Remember, these are people who are graduating from Harvard with a 4-year degree. This is stuff that you should have at least stumbled upon in your studies at some point.

"What causes the seasons on Earth?"
Common response: The Earth is further away from the sun, so it gets colder
In reality: The Earth is closer to the sun during winter, actually, but the difference in temperature is negligible

"Is there gravity on the moon?"
Common response: No
In reality: The moon has its own gravitational field. In addition to that, the Earth has a negligible gravitational pull on you while you're standing on the moon

"If there is no gravity on the moon, then why didn't the astronauts just float away?"
Common response: They wore heavy boots.
In reality: I don't even know where to begin...

I've come to understand that most Ivy League schools require you to have a lot of money, causing them to reject some highly qualified candidates because it would cost the university too much to give them a full ride. Private unviersities need the income, after all. Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education. It's mostly important to go to an Ivy League school because it's more prestigious than some other university.

And this proves what? There are idiots at every school, including Harvard. You can't prove something based on example. Just because a few people are idiots doesn't mean that the general population there isn't impressive.

You questioned me and then answered the question in the very same paragraph. WTF is wrong with you? 😛

you should read your own post

The point of my post was that Harvard education != above average intelligence.

Right there in my own post I said that Harvard is definitely one of our best universities. Here, allow me to quote myself.

Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education.

Morons

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: her209
Gun > Harvard graduate

A reference to the home defense thread?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: IHAVEAQUESTION
Schools seems to think if they increase the financial aid then they have done their job of alleviating financial burden from students. The thing is a lot of students don't qualify for financial aid (one reason or another) so a lot of students are not covered.

It's a marketing pitch for Harvard to say "we will admit and pay full tuition for you regardless of your family financial situation". I mean...C'mon, what if the student comes from a multi-millionaire family....is harvard still going to pay for the full tuition for the student? The answer is yes, fyi.

ROFL, Harvard does NOT given full rides to everyone. They dont even have merit based academic scholarships anymore. Duke is the only top 8 school that still gives money to students based on academic credentials, mostly as a way to steal students from HYP.

At most large private institution the Financial office is independent of the Admissions office. They let you in first, then they try to give you a financial package that lets you attend.

FWIW as US News released its undergraduate rankings today 😉

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: ManSnake
Did you graduate from Harvard?

what the hell is with your polls? they're the dumbest polls i've ever seen.

a) you won't get real answers
b) what makes you think anyone here actually did go to harvard?
c) if i was a millionaire or married to a millionaire, i sure as hell wouldn't be on this forum.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: ManSnake
Did you graduate from Harvard?

what the hell is with your polls? they're the dumbest polls i've ever seen.

a) you won't get real answers
b) what makes you think anyone here actually did go to harvard?
c) if i was a millionaire or married to a millionaire, i sure as hell wouldn't be on this forum.

What the hell does being a millionaire have to do with being on this forum? You think being a millionaire means your life is somehow dramatically different from everyone else?

 

[ForumMaster]

sure! everybody has! harvard is not all it once was. several other schools such as MIT are now considered better. But i'm still in HS so maybe?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: ManSnake
Did you graduate from Harvard?

what the hell is with your polls? they're the dumbest polls i've ever seen.

a) you won't get real answers
b) what makes you think anyone here actually did go to harvard?
c) if i was a millionaire or married to a millionaire, i sure as hell wouldn't be on this forum.

What the hell does being a millionaire have to do with being on this forum? You think being a millionaire means your life is somehow dramatically different from everyone else?

no, but i'm sure being a millionaire, i would have plenty of other things to do than sit on a computer all day and type on a forum

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: cchen

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I am not impressed with Harvard graduates. We watched a video in one of my astronomy courses asking graduating Harvard students a few basic science questions that they got horribly wrong. Here are some of my favorites. Remember, these are people who are graduating from Harvard with a 4-year degree. This is stuff that you should have at least stumbled upon in your studies at some point.

"What causes the seasons on Earth?"
Common response: The Earth is further away from the sun, so it gets colder
In reality: The Earth is closer to the sun during winter, actually, but the difference in temperature is negligible

"Is there gravity on the moon?"
Common response: No
In reality: The moon has its own gravitational field. In addition to that, the Earth has a negligible gravitational pull on you while you're standing on the moon

"If there is no gravity on the moon, then why didn't the astronauts just float away?"
Common response: They wore heavy boots.
In reality: I don't even know where to begin...

I've come to understand that most Ivy League schools require you to have a lot of money, causing them to reject some highly qualified candidates because it would cost the university too much to give them a full ride. Private unviersities need the income, after all. Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education. It's mostly important to go to an Ivy League school because it's more prestigious than some other university.

And this proves what? There are idiots at every school, including Harvard. You can't prove something based on example. Just because a few people are idiots doesn't mean that the general population there isn't impressive.

You questioned me and then answered the question in the very same paragraph. WTF is wrong with you? 😛

you should read your own post

The point of my post was that Harvard education != above average intelligence.

Right there in my own post I said that Harvard is definitely one of our best universities. Here, allow me to quote myself.

Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education.

Morons

well, before you start calling names, maybe you should take a step back and look at what you and i said. i thought you might be able to do it on your own, but it looks like i have to make things explicit.

your point - harvard education != above average intelligence, as evidenced by one video you saw of harvard students being quizzed on astronomy
my point - you can't prove anything just by watching a video like that
your point - harvard is one of best universities, i said that! my point was that harvard education != above average intelligence.

as you can see, your response makes no sense.

 

[newmachineoverlord]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I am not impressed with Harvard graduates. We watched a video in one of my astronomy courses asking graduating Harvard students a few basic science questions that they got horribly wrong. Here are some of my favorites. Remember, these are people who are graduating from Harvard with a 4-year degree. This is stuff that you should have at least stumbled upon in your studies at some point.

"What causes the seasons on Earth?"
Common response: The Earth is further away from the sun, so it gets colder
In reality: The Earth is closer to the sun during winter, actually, but the difference in temperature is negligible

"Is there gravity on the moon?"
Common response: No
In reality: The moon has its own gravitational field. In addition to that, the Earth has a negligible gravitational pull on you while you're standing on the moon

"If there is no gravity on the moon, then why didn't the astronauts just float away?"
Common response: They wore heavy boots.
In reality: I don't even know where to begin...

I've come to understand that most Ivy League schools require you to have a lot of money, causing them to reject some highly qualified candidates because it would cost the university too much to give them a full ride. Private unviersities need the income, after all. Harvard is definitely one of our best universities, but I think the above questions just prove that your level of knowledge is independent of where you received your education. It's mostly important to go to an Ivy League school because it's more prestigious than some other university.

I saw that one too and would like to point out that those are seventh grade level questions, and the causation of the seasons is seldom covered after seventh grade. Thus knowledge of the seasons reflects the quality of your seventh grade science teacher, not the university you went to, unless you majored in meteorology or astronomy. You could ask any random sample about the seasons and most people would get it wrong, unless you were just asking science teachers or astronomers.

As for the gravity questions, not knowing those does suggest the person lacks a basic understanding of introductory physics for nonmajors. Similar polls done in the past on ATOT suggest that 67% of atot members also lack understanding of introductory physics. This leads one to conclude that people who do not hold a degree in the sciences should not be trusted in their ability to evaluate scienctific ideas, regardless of the institution from which they graduated. If someone doesn't know why things get warm in the summer, how can they even begin to evaluate global warming?