Weird Valedictorian?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Weird Valedictorian</p>

<p>As the title indicates, my high school valedictorian’s weird. No, not in the way that he’s anti-social or something—it’s because he’s not like CCers or other top high school students that obsess over college acceptances. For example, the only colleges he applied to were UMichigan and Michigan State. I mean, they’re both good colleges, but he is literally a genius and could get into an Ivy easy. I’m third in my class and I was accepted to Columbia ED. Our salutatorian is going to Harvard. Yes, Harvard. Our valedictorian? Michigan, most likely. </p>

<p>Don’t get me wrong, but he’s an extremely nice kid and is content with his life. But, is it strange to feel pity for him? He would be accepted at an Ivy League or other similar-quality school easily (or high school does typically well at Ivies and similar schools like Northwestern, Duke, or MIT). I talked to him about it and his response was “I’d like to be near home.” Really? It’s college, not high school. He also told me that his family might move to Ann Arbor for a better job and that he would love to STAY AT HOME or at least be close to home… (?)</p>

<p>Once again, this val makes the sal and I look stupid. In fact, he makes nearly everyone at our school look like asinine fools. He’s won state-wide and national math competitions, is a translator for a job, has taken college math courses since freshman year, taken nearly every single AP class offered by our school, engages in research, and still maintains a pure 4.0 GPA. He also got a straight 36 on his ACT with an 11 essay his first time. In tenth grade. He reads like crazy and if you asked him a question, he could give you the answer or would search for the answer as if his life depended on it. </p>

<p>Funny thing is, he doesn’t have an i-pod or i-phone, has a startling problem, and is pretty quiet/reticent, but he’s literally leagues above the entire school in terms of intelligence. But he’s also so laidback when it comes to getting good grades—he literally never gets below an A. The scary thing is that he doesn’t even think he’s smart. </p>

<p>Don’t you find it strange our valedictorian will end up at a lower ranked school than our salutatorian or myself? I even believe that a couple of people ranked below me have been accepted to Northwestern and someone’s going to MIT. Is there someone similar in your school?</p>

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<p>Sure he’s weird, but if you think he ought to be pitied for not obsessing over college admissions, he’s made you look silly again.</p>

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<p>Not weird. Just different. He has different goals in life than most at this stage. However if he is happy in his current spot, that’s all that matters. Perhaps right now he has certain needs and needs his family close by. Maybe when it’s time to do his graduate degrees he will venture out further and go to Harvard and the likes. Most likely he will finish his undergraduate in 1-2 years and move on from there.</p>

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<p>So what?</p>

<p>Do all smart people go to top schools?</p>

<p>Is it a law?</p>

<p>He sounds smarter than you considering your so worried about TOP colleges</p>

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<p>I may undertand you a bit more if he was going to a “crappy” school, but he’s going to UMichigan. Sure, UMichigan may not be an ivy league school, or quite at the same prestige level as the top ivies, but it is still a top school. His prioritizes are just different than yours.</p>

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<p>He sounds like an old soul to me. Some people are born with a knowing contentment and abilities and insights beyong their years. Everyone is different and has their own personal values. Diversity is what makes for a rich and interesting life. ( for everyone) And how remarkable that he isn’t trying to be just like everyone else… You noticed him because he is so unique. He is being himself. That is a true gift.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t say he’s weird. At all. So what? Not everyone wants an Ivy League education. Maybe he wants to stay in state, maybe he just likes Michigan better than Harvard. Sounds like a pretty OK kid to me.</p>

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<p>Seriously, you’ve never heard anyone say that before? Really? I know lots of kids who’d rather stay close to home, just the way they are.</p>

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<p>So he cannot be smart if he’s quiet or doesn’t have an Apple device? Lots of smart/genius people are quiet, and secondly, what does the first part of the sentence have to do with anything? And what’s a stuttering problem.</p>

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<p>No, it’s his choice. Not everyone cares about the ranking of their college. </p>

<p>Want to know what I think? I think you are being extremely judgmental and need to take a step back and look objectively at this.</p>

<p>Do I know anyone like that?</p>

<p>Yeah, me, actually. I don’t sound as smart as him, and don’t have a 4.0 (that’s mainly for a lack of effort) but I don’t really care too much about the ranking of whatever college I attend, as long as it offers a degree I want and I like the school. </p>

<p>Yes, I read like crazy. And I can be kind of loudish sometimes, but am usually fairly quiet and I really don’t think I’m all that smart even though people say I am. My parents say I have an old soul.</p>

<p>Wow that sounds pretty self-absorbed, but you wanted to know who I knew, so…</p>

<p>Edit: Oh marybee mentioned old soul too ha</p>

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<p>He sounds like a really cool young man.</p>

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<p>^ Lol I think he sounds really cool also. Although I’m nowhere near as smart as the kid you’re describing, I’m ranked first in my class as well and have not bothered applying to any of the Ivies because I’d rather stay close to home. I’m not saying I’d for sure get into the Ivy League or anything, but I totally understand his decision of picking what’s comfortable over what’s prestigious. And like others have said, UMichigan is a great school in any case. It sounds like he’ll do extremely well wherever he goes.</p>

<p>For some people college rankings mean a lot and that’s fine, but just understand that for others it doesn’t mean as much. Some people would rather focus on fit of the college rather than prestige. People are different. :)</p>

<p>Also, no need to pity him! You said so yourself; he’s content. He’s obviously happy where he’s at and where he’s going so there’s nothing to feel sorry for.</p>

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<p>I think my school’s valedictorian is going to community college. She doesn’t seem markedly different from anyone else in the school. Just got a couple less B’s.</p>

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<p>unlike most high school students, he’s got his priorities settled </p>

<p>best of luck to that dude, he’s going to go far whether he’s at Michigan or an Ivy League</p>

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<p>You’re the weird one. Questioning his choices? Mind your business. UMich is ranked higher than quite a few Ivy leagues in several categories. So his choice is freaking amazing. He has his goals and sounds like an excellent person to be around. You on the other hand…</p>

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<p>Guys. Different and weird are synonymous. Stawp it.</p>

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<p>Ann Arbor? You do realize that UMich-Ann Arbor is a “Public Ivy” like UVa, W&M, Miami U (the Ohio one), UT-Austin, UCs like UCLA, UNC-Chapel Hill…</p>

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<p>Sounds like my school’s valedictorian. She’s has the grades and test scores for schools with Ivy-caliber, but wants to go to a local small public school. I do not think they’re “weird”, they just lack ambition.</p>

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<p>Or maybe the only thing they lack is the ideology that Ivy is gold and all super smart people should try to go to ivy (and other “elite”) schools. </p>

<p>Maybe they actually embrace the concept of choosing a school that feels like home.</p>

<p>Maybe they actually look at a college for the experience rather than the stats.</p>

<p>Just an idea…</p>

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<p>Weird? Nah, son. Just chill.</p>

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<p>This forum has a lot of people who strongly contest the theory of prestige…</p>

<p>I kinda like it. Question everything! That’s how you can tell when someone can make change.</p>

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<p>Don’t be fooled. They’re all secretly sending applications to all 8 ivy league schools, plus Stanford!</p>

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<p>@Philovitist</p>

<p>dif·fer·ent<br>
/ˈdif(ə)rənt/
Adjective
Not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality.
Novel and unusual.</p>

<p>weird<br>
/wi(ə)rd/
Adjective
Suggesting something supernatural; uncanny: “the weird crying of a seal”.
Noun
A person’s destiny.
Verb
Induce a sense of disbelief or alienation in someone.</p>