Interview weekend & politics

[nyc_commuter]

Since I have nothing better to do while I wait for ad-comm decisions, here goes another dumb question: if you're at one of the less formal interview weekend events, such as a departmental party or casual grad student gathering, would it be a bad idea to get into a discussion of politics if the conversation happens to be steered that way? I know people in academia are typically liberal (as am I), but is it bad taste to show your political bent during interview weekend?

[cogscipixie]

Since I have nothing better to do while I wait for ad-comm decisions, here goes another dumb question: if you're at one of the less formal interview weekend events, such as a departmental party or casual grad student gathering, would it be a bad idea to get into a discussion of politics if the conversation happens to be steered that way? I know people in academia are typically liberal (as am I), but is it bad taste to show your political bent during interview weekend?

This might sound a bit silly, but I was a social Greek in college, and there were several "no-no's" never to be spoken about during formal recruitment rounds with potential new members vice versa with members: No religion, boys, politics, alcohol/drug talk. I think the same would go for a grad school interview. Even if grad students and faculty are making fun of the latest Glenn Beck scandal, it's best to either change the conversation route, talk about current research projects, or living in that college community. I consider myself pretty center-moderate, maybe even libertarian by certain standards, but by no means does that mean that grad school interviews is the best place to start talking personal belief systems or politics.

[newms]

Yeah, I'd play it safe on an interview weekend. There isn't anything to gain by bringing up politics (unless of course you're in Political Science I guess) and there's always the risk of offending the wrong person. Wait til you get in if you want to discuss politics.

[neuroJ]

Yup. Not much to gain, plenty to lose. That said, if you find yourself dragged in to a conversation on politics, don't freak out about it, but do try to steer away from the topic as best you can.