<p>I live and go to high school in a town with an Ivy League institution in it. I am well-educated, and my high school is very much a "feeder school" to this particular Ivy. Although I am very blessed to receive such a high quality education with amazing teachers and great opportunity, the culture concerns me quite a bit. It is really competitive and academic, and I consider these positive attributes. However, I also see a lot of things that stray far what I believe to be right and acceptable. In fact, my unconventional beliefs often deter me from fitting in. That's not to say I'm bullied; I'm certainly respected, but I cannot say I have a true friend--someone in whom I can trust and talk to knowing for certain that he will listen and have my best interest in mind. Perhaps this fact is what I'm trying to get at: Students are so absorbed with themselves and their self-motivation that they never consider others who will not help them gain the upperhand. For example, when I ask someone why he or she does community service, the reply is constant: colleges like to see these hours. What's more, there is rampant cheating. This one might seems insignificant, but it annoys me to pieces: when students skip school because they are behind and have a project due that day or a test. One other dishonesty that does not align with my values is when people disingenuously check off leadership positions without having sincere passions, and the position becomes more of a label of popularity within one's peer group than anything else. I have played ice hockey since I learned to walk, and I have played more than most people. I have played on select teams and have devoted practically every ounce of myself to the sport. However, the coach picked four captains for whom the team voted, who have shown much less passion and devotion to the sport than me but who are popular. These kinds of shortcomings really disappoint me. The people who do these things most effectively are the ones who get accepted to the top schools. I'm sorry I have been ranting, and this is in part to vent what has been irritating me about life, so I'll get to my questions on which I'd appreciate many different thoughts. Wha</p>
<p>Sorry, I accidentally pressed post thrice before posting the real one (this is the real one) and do not know how to delete :(</p>