2 minutes

smart cookies

My brother, Greg, has a girlfriend. Her name is Katia. Katia is a smart cookie. She recently had an interview at Harvard as part of her application process/admission hopes for business school. I had her describe the entire experience, which was totally fascinating. She even hired a consultant to help her prepare for said interview. Apparently the goal is to get girls to crack and cry from the interview pressure. But Katia was prepared. Though they tried to get her to let her guard down by kindly informing her that this interview would not be of the tough, "crack you" variety. Then they continued to do everything in their power to the contrary. But this power suit sporting smartie sailed right through. She was even thrown a few curve balls that the consultant didn't warn her about. When asked to spontaneously speak passionately for 2 minutes on any subject (while the interviewer yawned, checked their watch, and refused to make eye contact), she effortlessly lapsed into a discourse on being the driver of her own destiny. Nice! So this got me thinking. What would I speak passionately about for 2 whole minutes at the drop of a hat...under pressure...in any environment, much less a Harvard interview office? My mom, the librarian, instantly said "Reading to your children!" My brother, the film producer, said "Storytelling!" Wes, man of many hats, said "The Environment!" And I fumbled around. I thought of a couple of things immediately, but they weren't topics I would readily bring up in an interview for a school or job, and definitely not topics I could speak effortlessly and unflinchingly on without my nerves getting the best of me. So what would you talk about for 2 minutes? I know it seems like a short amount of time. But it takes practice—I tried it. So kudos to you, Katia, for being passionate at the drop of a hat. Harvard would do good to have you there. My fingers are crossed for you.

**UPDATE**
She got accepted! (To quote Greg, "Katia got into Haaavaad." :)