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What Do You Think Of Adam Wheeler’s Deception?

Roving Reporter
Keren E. Rohe

Roving Reporter

The Crimson's roving reporter took to the streets to see what people thought of former Harvard student Adam B. Wheeler's unveiling as a fraud who lied his way into college. See what people had to say:

Justin A. Lavner, works in Boston

RR: How do you think he did it?

JAL: I have wondered that exact thing! I have no idea—as an outsider, you wonder the extent to which people actually look into applications.

RR: Do you think that this problem is unique to the Ivy League?

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JAL: Well, I don’t think that it is a rampant problem in general. I would say that embellishment happens at the same frequency at all schools.

RR: What do you think should be his penalty?

JAL: Restitution and definitely community service. Maybe a little jail time.

Sutlana Revina, Chicago resident visiting Harvard

RR: What do you think of the Adam Wheeler story?

SR: Sucks to be him.

RR: How do you think he did it?

SR: He got lucky.

RR: Do you think it happens frequently at Harvard that people lie on their resumes?

SR: I wouldn’t say [this happens] frequently. The Admissions office was not careful enough.

RR: Do you think that the charges that he is facing are appropriate?

SR: [His penalty] should be weighed for his crimes...it depends on how much he gained from it really; 25 years is a lot.

RR: How do you think he got away with it for such a long period?

SR: It’s a combination—that he wasn’t checked out thoroughly, and he is a good liar. Some people just have that skill.

Melinda E. Kurtzky, Kennedy School student

RR: How much have you been keeping up with the Adam Wheeler story?

MK: Well I see it a lot on the blogs, and I have read a couple of blurbs.

RR: Do you think that this was the fault of the Office of Admissions?

MK: I think that the administration should always be careful...every admissions process should be rigorous and thorough.

RR: What do you think the effect of this case will be?

MK: Stories like this always get published on the blogs. It becomes a check for the administration so the next person who wants to do this will be deterred.

RR: What do you think should be his penalty?

MK: I think that he has already paid a huge penalty by having his name dragged in the mud.

RR: Do you think that this sort of fraud is a common problem?

MK: Well I don’t think that people put nearly as much effort into their lies as he did.

Fei Gong, Cambridge resident

RR: Are you following the Adam Wheeler story?

FG: Yes, I am following the story. I just saw the title on the Internet.

RR: What do you think about it?

FG: I think that it’s absolutely wrong. But also, this person has a lot of imagination.

RR: Do you think the administration pays enough attention to this sort of thing?

FG: I don’t know if it’s technically possible to check every piece of paper if it is correct. At least for SAT scores it is important to check.

RR: Do you think this happens a lot at Harvard?

FG: I don’t think its a common thing. I believe most of the students are truthful.

Tarik Umar ’10

RR: What do you think about the Adam Wheeler ordeal?

TU: It was shocking to hear about it.

RR: Do you think the administration is to blame?

TU: I haven’t dissected it—how responsible are the admissions staff? We have a relationship of trust and we don’t approach applicants with distrust.

RR: How do you think he did it?

TU: I don’t know...I’m surprised it lasted this long...if people do something wrong over and over again, they are going to get caught.

RR: Do you think other people at Harvard do this sort of stuff?

TU: I would be shocked if other people [who do this] didn’t get caught.

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