Once on the show, contestants vie to be the first to correctly answer a question to proceed to the "hot seat," where host Regis Philbin asks a series of questions starting at the $100 level.

If the contestant correctly answers all 15 questions, the contestant becomes a millionaire.

Cooper said he was more nervous while trying to get to the hot seat than when he was in it.

"When you're in the hot seat you get as much time as you need, but you have to be the fastest during the 'Fastest Fingers' round," he said.

"[Philbin] was very friendly and you really got a sense that everyone's really pulling for you," he added.

As vice chair of the Institute of Politics' (IOP) Student Advisory Committee, Cooper asked IOP members to stand by in case he needed to "Phone a Friend"--one of three "lifelines" that each contestant can use for help in answering questions.

Cooper is just one of many Harvard students who are interested in the game show fever sweeping the nation.

Roommates Chris S. Antunes '03 and Steve Kim '03, who said they enjoy the drama of the show, have never missed an episode. They have repeatedly attempted to get on the show, rearranging their schedules if necessary.