Yep, that’s right, that’s her.

You’ve seen her pouncing on the tofu in Annenberg, trying her paws on beer pong, or sauntering around campus with languid grace, and you wonder whether there’s a psychopath hiding behind those alert, calculative eyes. Surely all those years raised up by a tigress had brought an irreversible psychological impact on her, for better or worse?

Without further ado, let’s meet number three,

3. The New Tiger In Town

I guess there’s no more introduction needed to the famous parenting book by Yale Law School professor Amy Chua, titled The Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother. Suffice to say that her eldest cub, Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld is now here among us, ready to attest to her mom’s parenting style. But before you eagerly stalk her as the study case for your child development thesis, you might want to know that Sophia could not be any more “normal” than she already is. Charmingly pleasant, and articulate, Sophia talked about being in college as a tiger cub.

The Tiger Cub, on the left, with her roommates. It took three shots before she was satisfied with the result. Roar.

How is it like to be in Harvard?

It’s awesome! I’ve already met so many interesting people – in fact, I feel like everyone I’ve met is more interesting than I am. Why am I even on this list?

You’re on the list obviously because of your Mom’s controversial book. You are a curiosity. How has her parenting style shaped your identity?

Well, it gave me a convenient nickname. “Tiger Cub” is way easier to pronounce than “Chua-Rubenfeld.” In all seriousness, though, I think my roommate said it best: tiger parenting is really just about having high expectations and believing in your kid’s potential. My parents never once gave up on me, and they taught me not to give up on myself. And ironically, I feel like my upbringing actually forced me to become more independent; my parents basically said, “this is what we expect from you. Now go figure out how to do it.” I feel like I’ve never had my hand held, and that’s really empowering.

Actually it would be great to just know the real Sophia, without associating everything with your mother. So how do you describe yourself? What are you interested in?

I’ve spent the last nine months trying to convince the world I’m normal, but I’m actually really weird…just not in the way people expect. I’m a huge Lord of the Rings nerd (if anyone wants to watch with me, I have the box set, extended edition), I miss taking Latin, I eat my yogurt with balsamic vinegar. I don’t like desks, so I do all my work on the floor (I have the most tolerant roomies in the world). I listen to dubstep, Daft Punk, and The Doors, and I don’t go anywhere without a novel in my bag. I’m taking classes in linguistics, art history, physics, and anthropology. As far as extracurriculars, I do Army ROTC and Chinatown ESL. Where will I be in ten years? No idea.

How has it been like to be put under the spotlight after the publication of the book?

The uproar definitely came as a shock. When my mom first started writing the book, we were like, “Why are you even doing this? Who will want to read about our life?” But I guess parenting is a really personal topic, and suddenly everyone was passing judgments and making assumptions. Even my friends and boyfriend were affected by this (he’s been totally understanding and supportive through it all). There were rough days, but it definitely brought us closer as a family. We learned to protect each other. The experience has forced me to grow up a lot, too. The opinions that influence me are those of people I know and respect. I don’t try to change anyone’s mind; people can think whatever they want, and that doesn’t change who I am or how I live my life.

Any comments on Harvard social scene?

It’s fun and exciting, but sometimes it can be hierarchical to the point of being exclusive. My roommates and I go to MIT a lot. They have cages.

Voice FYI : It took another three revisions of the article before the cub was thoroughly satisfied with all the little details. Early signs of obsessive perfectionism? We do wonder where she might get that from…