<p>Knowing everybody’s stats is something some people enjoy. Like I do. I can see where there may be a problem if they voice it like the people at the OP’s school does… but it’s good to know where you’re at. And to me, it’s interesting. So with that one competitive friend it’s a popular subject.</p>
<p>But then again, when people don’t want to say what they got on tests or do well on tests, I don’t get mad, I just work harder.</p>
<p>Even though we’re a pretty high-achieving school, most people don’t really care that much about grades and stuff. People aren’t really competitive, or at least they don’t act in a competitive manner. Everyone’s willing to share answers to homework (not cheating- it’s encouraged). Maybe Minnesota people are just nicer.</p>
<p>^Well we do that too, it is not like we are out there to watch one another fail, we just want to do better than each other in the end. We couldn’t be happier to watch our fellow hardworking peers get into great colleges. I, unfortunately, was unable to keep up after freshman year, succumbed to the stress and fell behind (top 35%).</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank, and I suppose it’s better that way. If it’s apparent that one is among the top in his/her class solely based on grades, then he/she doesn’t really need a ranking system.</p>
<p>Yeah I have one friend and all she only talks to her friend who’s like a “sister” to her. When she acknowledges everyone else but me, it’s to talk about why someone’s ranked higher.</p>
<p>My school has always been irritatingly competitive. This behavior goes right from the seniors and trickles straight down to the freshman.</p>
<p>The funny aspect of the OP’s situation is that he is already a much more likely candidate for any top school compared to his classmates.</p>
<p>^ Reasoning?</p>
<p>^lol that was the irony I realized. Whichever of them apply to top schools and don’t get in, I’ll silently have chuckles inside.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank.</p>
<p>But some people think that you’re a worthless soul if you don’t have straight A’s. They make you feel really bad… like you’re <em>morally</em> wrong or something. It’s awful.</p>
<p>I’m a junior, btw.</p>
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<p>I know a few of those people. We don’t get along very well at all. :/</p>
<p>My school is relatively laid-back I think. People never paid attention to rank until the end of junior year (I recall there being one girl who was a little interested in the buzz because a local university offered a full tuition to the salutatorian of each graduating class). Oftentimes, I feel that I’m the most competitive out of all the top 50 kids (and I’m only #20…something? 27?) because I’m aware of what an SAT 2 subject test <em>is</em>…
Otherwise, I can say that all the kids in my classes (I’m in the “upper echelon” of my school) get along extremely well. We help each other out when we can and are generally pleasant (excepting the gossip floating around here and there, but I’d like to think that’s just high school).
However, this sort of attitude quickly becomes apathy and is intolerable in a different way (e.g. teachers grading on an extreme curve, low AP pass rates, etc.)</p>
<p>^^^ lol I’ve been looked down upon because of that. Then again people in my class know when it comes to knowledge, they dare not go against me. I’ve beat everyone at least once.</p>
<p>Hey, I don’t even go to a competitive school and I still have to put up with this group of scheming, resume-padding grade grubbers who will hold public discussions as to who they think is where in the top ten (and how to knock them off). You can find these people everywhere!</p>
<p>@MIThopeful16 - I believe, and I quote verbatim, from my Lit class I said, "If there were a degree in general knowledge, I’d have a doctorate. 
" and the girl just looks at me blankly for a minute and says, “…that was NOT general knowledge.” Hahah. If only we were paid to know random things. It seems that I retain the most insignificant detail… :S
@sunflowersummer - this is true. The IB program around here is extremely cutthroat and unnecessarily competitive. I couldn’t stand that atmosphere. Something tells me I wouldn’t do well in a highly competitive school regardless of whatever academic talent I possess. I’d crack under the pressure.</p>
<p>@Vertigo220h. I go to an IB school that’s competitive. I’ve been raised since birth to have composure, especially under pressure. I guess maybe that’s why workloads are not workloads to me.</p>
<p>You know, for some reason I suspect that the people who actually end up being highly successful in the admissions process (i.e. those who get admitted to the Ivies and top tier schools) aren’t at all like the grade grubbers you’re describing. I believe they’re probably the type of people who do well academically, but don’t go about scheming as to how to beat the #1 ranked person, etc.</p>
<p>lol that’s why I stopped trying. My dad wants me to be the first black valedictorian at the school, but I could care less. As long as I learn and enjoy myself, I’m fine with where I go. I’ll let the schemers beat themselves. I’m not one of them, I’m me.</p>
<p>@MIThopeful16 - I do pretty well under pressure (think debate), but I can’t stand all of that peer pressure and anxiety on a constant basis. I appreciate the intelligence and hard work of others, but it was getting to a point where it was just being shoved down my throat. I had to drop out (due in part also to family/medical problems). The most interesting thing is that my former classmates and I will be matriculating in the Fall at the same flagship state school. ;D
@fledgling - I wouldn’t be so sure of that. The girl I know (yes, it sounds ambiguous, but it’s true…) who is matriculating at Harvard this Fall is kind of an uppity, entitled jerk. However, the one from last year was just as you described. Obviously, it differs from person to person.</p>
<p>EDIT: And good for you MITHopeful16. Taking your own personal prerogative in your education and the direction you’d like for it to go is a big step.</p>
<p>I hate grade grubbers.</p>