<p>As I mentioned in the title, this is a rant. If you don't feel like reading it, you don't have to. You can just leave right now.</p>
<p>But if you really do care to read, well sorry....</p>
<p>Ok I go to a very competitive Magnet IB school (Ranked in Top 15 by Newsweek). I'm filled with idiots who only do things to "pad" their resumes. They run for "lesser" SGA positions like Secretary and Treasurer so that they don't have to deal with competition. They're losers with no lives outside of academics. The clubs they join are the "name brand" ones like It's Academic, Model UN and School Newspaper and the only reason they play sports is so that it would "look good on their college application". They are what CCers call "hooked". I do all these obscure clubs people I LOVE THEM, I love the people in them, I love the sponsors and the intellectual discussion they stimulate. They NEVER contribute to in-class discussions (I can think of ONLY ONE straight-A student that contributes to these discussions). Yet, they (most of them at least) always get Straight As. How? They're grade snubbers basically. They beg the teachers, SUCK UP to them, or get private tutors or usually have siblings or parents who went to the same school. Not to mention they are taking courses like AP Environmental Science and AP Statistics, which are apparently "easy" courses. Their personality is even worse. One kid (Lets call him DS) is the worst of all. DS is probably the rudest kid I've ever met. I was talking to a friend of mine friday and he interrupts me mid-sentence and talks to him, the same thing happened thursday. Apparently he YELLS at everyone on his time if they mess up (during PE). DS never contributes to the discussions, not to mention he has "easy" teachers. His Bio teacher curves grades and even scraps tests while ours is super strict. DS even tried to bank off my supposed "popularity". First day of school, I was elected SGA delegate from our class although NO ONE there knew me. He wanted to run alongside with me for SGA President (He wanted to run for Treasurer). People are extremely cut throat and anti-social. They have real world knowledge. One other Straight A kid (JD) asked me if they have roads in India and if they sell newspapers there. He didn't even know what a Fortune 500 company was till we covered it in Government. He's stupid. He asks me for help on everything from Math and Bio. The Straight A students just study harder and have a better memory, they are by no means smart. That is not to say I don't work hard. I work (as I've mentioned on previous threads) anywhere from 30-40 hours a week, take care of my brother. I even cooked today because there was nothing to eat and my parents left to work before I even woke up. Not only do I lack a "hook", I'm not even a Permanent Resident. They all come from pricey prep schools or MAGNET middle schools which are literally powerhouses. This automatically disqualifies me for jobs where they won't pay minimum wage and interesting internships. I have no idea what I'm going to do. I feel so helpless. The lowest PSAT score was mine - 170. Other than me it was 190 (JD). He only got a 190 because he had apparently taken it "only" twice before. I didn't even know what PSAT was till I talked to my IB coordinator and researched about it on the Internet.</p>
<p>Is this all life is? These people with no actual knowledge get Straight As and will probably go to an Ivy or a comparable college while I go to a State College. Apparently colleges compare me with others from my own high school, this equals automatic rejection. It isn't just me, I'm sick of those idiots making fun of other not-so-intelligent students. On Friday they were making fun of this mentally challenged kid and saying how he has no potential. I got ****ed and when up the kids and asked if they felt they had any potential, they were like "Of course we do, we get Straight As". NO ONE else stood up for the mentally challenged kid but me. How can they be so cruel? They make fun of this other genius kid (He is definitely one of the smartest, if not THE smartest I've ever met). His command of the English Language is amazing, his knowledge of current affairs rivals mine, his knowledge on history and physics blows everyone away. He lost his father and works too, so he can't exactly concentrate on school work. They call him the "3.5 Kid" because that's his GPA.</p>
<p>I feel taping of video of these morons in class and sending it the colleges they apply to show them the kid of idiots these people are.</p>
<p>Life is so damn f-ed up.</p>
<p>Sorry if this annoyed you. Don't state I didn't warn you, 'cause I did.</p>
<p>Yeah, my school is the same. Everyone at my school says they do it just for the resume, "how it is going to look to colleges". I was on FRESHMAN! Math Team, and, I'm such a nerd I actually like it and would go without credit, but everyone was like...yeah, this will look GREAT on apps.</p>
<p>I know, the President and VPs were like "Model UN will look great on your college application". I'm so glad I choose Philosophy instead. President of Young Republicans (at the Club Fair) basically send the same time "Imagine how good it'll look on your college application".</p>
<p>my advice...
a)don't complain in front of them-- this will only make your life more difficult b/c not only will you be annoyed with their extreme stupidity, but they will actually hate you... that will make life even more miserable for you...</p>
<p>b) find a great group of friends that aren't like the people you mentioned (I know that there are some in your school judging by the fact that you are considered "popular"</p>
<p>c) don't help the resume grubber unless he's a genuinly nice person-- otherwise he's mooching and you're letting him.</p>
<p>d) look into great schools that are willing to look past an SAT score-- these schools tend to be better anyway, in that they foster intellect and allow for close faculty/student interaction... generally these schools are small liberal arts schools</p>
<p>e) apply to schools that the resume junkies from your school are not applying to-- this means you will have to do a lot of research and pick one that you love-- it won't necessarily be a name brand school... and, if you aren't a resume junkie, you probably don't care about going to an ivy anyway-- there are tons of great schools out there-- only go to a state school if you want to-- i guarantee you that isn't th only option available.</p>
<p>f) enjoy life in general-- people can surprise you sometimes :)</p>
<p>Robotab, thanks. You've given me a lot to think about.</p>
<p>a. I don't complain in front of them :)
b. The non grade grubbers are unbelievable. Although there are few, the obstacles they've overcome are amazing. One other person works to support her family because her Father has Brain Surgery, mother has TB (The Antibiotic Resistant one) and all her siblings are disabled. I'm in no way "popular" in the traditional sense. The only reason I got elected was because I made up a killer speech on spot and the election was kind of spontaneous - no one knew about it till the last minute and I described myself and my circumstances a minute before (we had to do this in English to "connect" with each other).
c. I came to this conclusion some time ago when I asked this kid what the math homework was (I forgot to copy it down that day) and he goes "Why should I help you, I don't want to give you an unfair advantage"
d. and e. This is what I'll do. I don't care if I get into MIT, I'm not going there because it's one of DS's picks (that is if he gets in of course).
f. :)</p>
<p>philosopher4life, sorry to tell you, but it appears as if you are using a coping mechanism called reaction formation. From what you have said, it appears as if you do want to go to an Ivy and if you do go to a state college you will feel disappointed: Is this all life is? These people with no actual knowledge get Straight As and will probably go to an Ivy or a comparable college while I go to a State College. Apparently colleges compare me with others from my own high school, this equals automatic rejection.</p>
<p>Your tonality implies your true feelings although your words may suggest something else. You are mad that others get to go to good colleges while you think you are the one that really deserves it. Are you jealous? </p>
<p>*But you must realize in the world, one must play the correct game to "succeed."</p>
<p>OP, I know that it is frustrating to be surrounded by these people, but its the way life rolls and no doubt that they will be accepted into top universities. However, this does not mean anything except for the time at present. I know everyone says it, but in twenty years, no one will care what college you went to or your high school GPA. Its personality that matters, and if they continue to act like this, they wont be able to go anywhere in life or at the very least, will end up very lonely. ;) Keep your chin up, look on the bright side, and take comfort in that you are living life for what life offers and not for prestige or false hierarchy.</p>
<p>BTW, that India question it sounds like something that would come straight out of my mouth. :p</p>
<p>No I really don't care about Ivies honestly.</p>
<p>Am I jealous? No. I'm mad that idiots that like will probably go farther in life than others.</p>
<p>I used the state college comparison to only show the differences. Like I said I won't go to ANY college with even a single one of those morons. Why should I be jealous? I wouldn't mind going to my State School but it in no way is my first choice. I'd rather work as a janitor than be like them. Yes I really do think I deserve "better" than them. I also mentioned a couple other in the rant as well. I think we all deserve "better" than them.</p>
<p>But is it really a game when the rules are in favour of a select few?</p>
<p>On another note, reaction formation sounds absolutely fascinating.</p>
<p>I can see why you think that and even I'm beginning to question if I really do have reaction formation, maybe I do suffer from parts of it. But I'm really impressed how I stood up for the mentally challenged kid. My reactions were very genuine. Anyway this whole subject is incredibly fascinating.</p>
<p>I don't know maybe it kind of makes sense. But I've never even cared to go to a "top" school. My "highest" choice would probably be Rice. I love the small class sizes and their nanotech research. Again the reaction formation stuff is really amazing.</p>
<p>I second J. Shi. At the same time, I think u should've changed ur school to a regular public school and become the valedictorian or top 10 out there, which could've boosted ur confidence. There r people like that evrywhere and u just have to ensure u r coming in contact w/ them. Don't try to compare urself w/ them during college admission. If you r passionate abt stuffs do those and just highlight them nicely during college admission. Even if u can't make it to ur college of dreams, don't fuss abt it too much, u always have the chance to transfer right? SO, take life easily, and just don't compare urself or even go close to those students who r nothing but 'nerds' and 'A students w/ no outside knowledge'!</p>
<p>I just have a big concern for u: if u don't have Permanent Residence Status, isn't it that u won't get the fin. aid or worse enough can't get into Graduate colleges? Is it like u r on the process to get one?</p>
<p>Asifkhan, Yes my parents started the process about 2 months ago. If I don't get the GC, I don't mind going to our state college (which is amazing, although it's no UC or Michigan or UVA, its up there). They apparently have Honors and invite decent students to research along side a faculty member, which I think is amazing.</p>
<p>That does suck.
In my school (which is a rigorous prep school blah blah blah), the kids aren't as competitive or dumb as you make the kids in your school out to be. But every once in a while they'll let these comments slip that really upset me but are really true like: "I failed ____ class but it's OK because my dad is good friends w/ someone at NameofIvyLeagueSchool" or "I was going to apply to NameofIvyLeagueSchool but we have no connections there so I'll just apply to NameofOtherIvyLeagueSchool which I have a legacy at." </p>
<p>It's annoying as well b/c they obviously don't deserve it based on academics but I decided just to focus on myself and my own grades. I hate legacies (even though that's kind of stupid).</p>
<p>I hate legacies (even though that's kind of stupid).--ha ha! sunny, u wouldn't have said that if u had legacy! (can u deny my claim? lol! well, I don't have either, so I also kinda hate legacy)</p>
<p>Don't worry. They will suffer once they get out of the self protecting sheltered existence they led in high school. The real world will rip them apart, if they cannot shape up. No one would like these stuck up people, and wouldn't even tolerate them as much as you do. </p>
<p>These are the days I thank myself for attending an underperforming high school, where nobody cares about their grades and even less on college admissions. I don't have to put up with that kind of nonsense, and I swear that those kids would not last a week here in south LA with that kind of attitude. So the message is...
"UNDERPERFORMING HIGH SCHOOLS, GIVE THEM A TRY!".</p>
<p>yes, reaction formation, very interesting. study psychology and you will learn much more. and best of all, you can use this info to manipulate people's minds....haha, i'm the devil.</p>
<p>On second hand, now, you appear as if you are in denial: Like I said I won't go to ANY college with even a single one of those morons. Why should I be jealous? I wouldn't mind going to my State School but it in no way is my first choice. I'd rather work as a janitor than be like them.</p>
<p>I really doubt you would rather work as a janitor. Either you don't know how bad their job is or you are lying to yourself. Just think about it. </p>
<p>*
[quote]
But is it really a game when the rules are in favour of a select few?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Um, I'm confused by this question. Why wouldn't it be a game if it favoured a select few? Does that classify it as not a game? Life is a game, you must create your own strategy. If it were fair, we would have a Utopian society.</p>
<p>**sorry if this doesn't make you feel better, but the truth is better in the end.</p>