Carpenter also described his personal background to a small crowd of Harvard students and explained that coming from a disadvantaged background led to his current commitment to help people.

"No person should have limited educational resources because of their parents' ability to pay," he said after his emotional account.

Markham said she felt it is particularly important for Harvard students to become involved in the Democratic Party because "it's clearly the party that represents the young people and is in the forefront on a number of issues."

She said young people tend to be liberal, and thus the Democratic Party is the natural party for them to join.

Lopez disagreed with the statement.

"Young people tend to be what their parents are," Lopez said. "I can no longer stand idly by and be handed my party affiliation. I have to make the decision for myself. That's why I'm here. I want more information."

Still undecided after the convention, Lopez said he thought the Democrats were very progressive.

"They're really liberal, a little too liberal at times," he said. "Sometimes the party borders on lunacy, but so does the [Republican Party] so I don't know how I will end up voting."