Student lies his way into Harvard

eZe^

Thought this was a pretty cool story;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/17/student-conned-harvard-sorry

He basically created his own academic persona, and gained entrance into Harvard, as well as bagging about 14,000 dollars worth of scholarships. He only got caught out when he applied for bigwig scholarships.

Fairplay to the guy, he almost did it, just got that little bit too greedy. Makes you think though, maybe that small bit of embellishment to your C.V could be the difference between getting your next job and missing out. Or is that the worst attitude possible, and eventually the lie will catch up with you a la Mr. Wheeler?

galwayrush

He still failed overall.;)

jumpguy

Fair play and all, but sure if we all did that...

eZe^

galwayrush wrote: »

He still failed overall.;)

Bit of a Daedalus and Icarus story really though, flying too close to the sun on wings made of wax. If he was that little bit less greedy, he would have literally lied himself into getting a degree from the most prestigious university in the world. Food for thought regardless of how it ended up.

Scuid Mhór

sorry, guys, i thought i could get away with it. i didn't meant to shame myself and all of boards.ie...

CantGetNoSleep

A condition of his probation is that he cannot profit from his story, haha there goes his idea of writing a book / making a film

eZe^

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

A condition of his probation is that he cannot profit from his story, haha there goes his idea of writing a book / making a film

Probably for the best, otherwise the amount of people conning their way into this countries finest jobs would go through the roof. We'd have hundreds of Bill Cullen's in 10 years time. :p:p:p:p

orourkeda

eZe^ wrote: »

Thought this was a pretty cool story;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/17/student-conned-harvard-sorry

He basically created his own academic persona, and gained entrance into Harvard, as well as bagging about 14,000 dollars worth of scholarships. He only got caught out when he applied for bigwig scholarships.

Fairplay to the guy, he almost did it, just got that little bit too greedy. Makes you think though, maybe that small bit of embellishment to your C.V could be the difference between getting your next job and missing out. Or is that the worst attitude possible, and eventually the lie will catch up with you a la Mr. Wheeler?

Theres no fairplay in this story and he deserves no credit.

I feel really sorry for the genuine candidate that missed out because of the deception of a bogus candidate.

Ghandee

orourkeda wrote: »

Theres no fairplay in this story and he deserves no credit.

I feel really sorry for the genuine candidate that missed out because of the deception of a bogus candidate.

Lighten up a wee bit ffs!

Canis Lupus

Gucky wrote: »

Lighten up a wee bit ffs!

Well no. Someone, who deserved the spot, lost out because of his con job.

Ghandee

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Well no. Someone, who deserved the spot, lost out because of his con job.

The fact that this kid, conned (very successfully) the top brass from one of the most exclusive academic facilities in the world, makes him smarter than them in my eyes.

phasers

What were his grades like in Harvard? I'd have let him stay and finish his degree tbh

weemcd

Like this to a point, until he got greedy for the bigger scholarships and i lose any shade of respect I had. Reminds me of catch me if you can.

fulhamfanincork

It reminds me of the passion of the christ.

Korvanica

he'd be a good politician

twinQuins

Good to see the idolisation of the "cute hoor" is still alive and well. People have too romanticised a view of con artists like this.

fedor.2.

Scuid Mhór wrote: »

sorry, guys, i thought i could get away with it. i didn't meant to shame myself and all of boards.ie...

eh yeah rite:rolleyes:

MightyMighty737

Bet ya Mark Zuckerberg will give him a job.

Biggins

He's probably not the first to do this in all honesty.

whatsamsn

Lets be honest....
Good on him

kelle

I'm amazed a place like Harvard didn't do any checks on his qualifications from the start!
I admire his cheek.

Son Of A Vidic

Biggins wrote: »

He's probably not the first to do this in all honesty.

Absolutely and he won't be the last, he just wanted to many eggs in his basket.

Gucky

Gucky wrote: »

The fact that this kid, conned (very successfully) the top brass from one of the most exclusive academic facilities in the world, makes him smarter than them in my eyes.

I think you'll find many people would be capable of it but wouldn't be dishonest and pathetic enough to do it. He now owes Harvard over 45 grand and has been exposed as a cheat and fraud to the entire world, and he can't even write a book about it. Yeah, not very smart.

OutlawPete

Gucky wrote: »

Lighten up a wee bit ffs!

You try and be an Aston Villa fan and see what it does to your soul :mad:

krudler

Its like Good Will Hunting, but without Robin Williams

HavingCrack

This is far more embarressing to Harvard than anythign else really. I'm suprised they didn't try to cover it up somehow, reflects very badly on their admissions policy.

Da Shins Kelly

Fair play to the chancer. However, it was a pretty bad faux pas on the part of Harvard, for not even bothering to investigate their possible students' background. It only took one professor to spot it, if they'd actually looked into it earlier, the whole thing could have been avoided. A simple inquiry to MIT probably would have sufficed.

That said, fair play to him for pulling the wool over their eyes. He probably didn't even think himself that the lies would work out as well as they did. He nearly got away with it, like.

Stinicker

He qualifies for membership of Fianna Fail.

Iguana Bob

just a question for yas. i have a deg in engineering but not once for any place iv worked in or done an interview for has asked for proof.
i could easily just lie and for the interview study everything the interviwer could ask me and get the job

ScissorPaperRock

Iguana Bob wrote: »

just a question for yas. i have a deg in engineering but not once for any place iv worked in or done an interview for has asked for proof.
i could easily just lie and for the interview study everything the interviwer could ask me and get the job

What's the question?

x in the city

am i the only one in thinking this would be grade A film making...

*calls di caprio...

peckerhead

Iguana Bob wrote: »

just a question for yas. i have a deg in engineering but not once for any place iv worked in or done an interview for has asked for proof.
i could easily just lie and for the interview study everything the interviwer could ask me and get the job

If you usually write like this, your CV would be in the bin before the end of the first page.

x in the city

why do nobs on ah bitch about grammar

there is a forum for engrish thatta way >>>>

kelle

x in the city wrote: »

am i the only one in thinking this would be grade A film making...

*calls di caprio...

from link in post 1 wrote:

Wheeler's probation terms ............. ban him from profiting from his escapades.

El Horseboxo

I lied on my cv and my essay to get a grant for Northwestern. They obviously never checked up since i have my masters from them.

biko

That's a big suit to fill

Mark200

Iguana Bob wrote: »

just a question for yas. i have a deg in engineering but not once for any place iv worked in or done an interview for has asked for proof.
i could easily just lie and for the interview study everything the interviwer could ask me and get the job

Usually companies asked for a signed transcript from your college/university with your grades or whatever.

themandan6611

Did Breffney Morgan not go to Harvard - sorta puts things into perspective

KnifeWRENCH

As the Harvard Crimson newspaper identified, he created a resume that boasted the authorship of two books and co-authorship of four others, the delivery of lectures in Armenian studies and unblemished grades – all of it hogwash. He also won the $4,000 Hoopes Prize, $2,000 Sargent Prize and an $8,000 Rockefeller research grant, all through plagiarism.

Armenian studies? Really?

Fair enough if you're gonna fake a field of expertise......but why Armenian studies?

HavingCrack

Mark200 wrote: »

Usually companies asked for a signed transcript from your college/university with your grades or whatever.

According to my dad they don't. He's worked for lots of different businesses and he's said in around 20 interviews he's only ever been asked for evidence he attended college once :eek: and his references are only followed up around 50% of the time.

nyarlothothep

Gucky wrote: »

The fact that this kid, conned (very successfully) the top brass from one of the most exclusive academic facilities in the world, makes him smarter than them in my eyes.

Cute hooerism worship strikes again:rolleyes:

Riddle101

If he was smart enough to bluff his way into Harvard then I say let him stay, he proberly deserves to be in it.

orourkeda

Gucky wrote: »

The fact that this kid, conned (very successfully) the top brass from one of the most exclusive academic facilities in the world, makes him smarter than them in my eyes.

A typically irish response.

Congratulating a stroker really does no one any favours.

orourkeda

Riddle101 wrote: »

If he was smart enough to bluff his way into Harvard then I say let him stay, he proberly deserves to be in it.

If he's so "smart" why not just do it by the book. This blag will simply deprive a genuine and more deserving candidate of their rightful and legitimate place that they have worked for and earned rather that stole.

orourkeda

nyarlothothep wrote: »

Cute hooerism worship strikes again:rolleyes:

Don't Irish people get what they deserve. The next time I hear people complain about political corruption or some other social ill that was perpetuated by inherent dishonesty I shall bear some of the attitudes in this thread in mind.

dubtom

phasers wrote: »

What were his grades like in Harvard? I'd have let him stay and finish his degree tbh

He was copying other peoples work,even if he had got his degree or whatever he was 'studying' for,he'd have graduated a loser and a cheat, useless to anyone.

Shanotheslayer

x in the city wrote: »

why do nobs on ah bitch about grammar

there is a forum for engrish thatta way >>>>

Look below..

Iguana Bob wrote: »

just a question for yas. i have a deg in engineering but not once for any place iv worked in or done an interview for has asked for proof.
i could easily just lie and for the interview study everything the interviwer could ask me and get the job

AlmightyCushion

KnifeWRENCH wrote: »

Armenian studies? Really?

Fair enough if you're gonna fake a field of expertise......but why Armenian studies?

It's actually perfect. If someone asked him about it he could feed them any old horseshít and they more than likely would not know if he was lying.

figarofigaro

I don't think what this fellow did is commendable.

steddyeddy

I know at least one person who now has a ba from trinity due to cheating in the exams.

Victor

Gucky wrote: »

The fact that this kid, conned (very successfully) the top brass from one of the most exclusive academic facilities in the world, makes him smarter than them in my eyes.

But he got caught.