Question:
Members of the Cal-tech community live, learn, and work within an Honor System with one simple guideline; 'No member shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Cal-tech community.' While seemingly simple, questions of ethics, honesty and integrity are sometimes puzzling. Share a difficult situation that has challenged you. What was your response, and how did you arrive at a solution? (200 word max)
my response:
I remember a recent challenging event. I was unable to choose between following my values and doing what seemed to be the right thing at that time.
I needed the Indian passport to register for SAT and TOEFL, for which that I had to go through mandatory police verification. The inquiry officer demanded a bribe to clear the verification in time. I tried to convince him that I have clean social record. But he was adamant and warned that if not complied to, he would keep the verification pending indefinitely. I come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and giving bribe was against our values. It was a choice between my principles and my career.
Initially I thought of following my ideals. But the exam registration deadlines were nearing and it was now or never. Finally I decided to pay him the bribe. Although it seems like a small decision, it left a huge mark on my belief system. The wrong I did cannot be undone in this case. What I can do is enlarge my circle of influence, so that one day my voice is heard and I can instil values of integrity and ethics in generations to come.
Members of the Cal-tech community live, learn, and work within an Honor System with one simple guideline; 'No member shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Cal-tech community.' While seemingly simple, questions of ethics, honesty and integrity are sometimes puzzling. Share a difficult situation that has challenged you. What was your response, and how did you arrive at a solution? (200 word max)
my response:
I remember a recent challenging event. I was unable to choose between following my values and doing what seemed to be the right thing at that time.
I needed the Indian passport to register for SAT and TOEFL, for which that I had to go through mandatory police verification. The inquiry officer demanded a bribe to clear the verification in time. I tried to convince him that I have clean social record. But he was adamant and warned that if not complied to, he would keep the verification pending indefinitely. I come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and giving bribe was against our values. It was a choice between my principles and my career.
Initially I thought of following my ideals. But the exam registration deadlines were nearing and it was now or never. Finally I decided to pay him the bribe. Although it seems like a small decision, it left a huge mark on my belief system. The wrong I did cannot be undone in this case. What I can do is enlarge my circle of influence, so that one day my voice is heard and I can instil values of integrity and ethics in generations to come.