General image of selective high schools? (1 Viewer)

[Hoopy321]

Just wondering what the image of selective schools/students are like? Do people think that selective high students are snobby, or anything like that?

 

[obliviousninja]

They aren't snobby like they dont go bragging to non selectives about stuff

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[enoilgam]

They do get stereotyped a bit and I think sometimes it is unfair. That being said, most of the selective kids I know are much more school/uni/work focused then most of my HS friends, or people I know who went to a comprehensive school. Like, a lot of these students are conditioned to think "get top ATAR - get into top Uni course - gun for top graduate job". It's not an obvious trait, it's just something subtle I've noticed amongst people I know who go to such schools. In contrast, with most of the guys I went to school with who did well (90+ ATARs), that mentality and focus isnt as influential on them. For example, one of my mates got a 99 ATAR and studies Law. Despite having a good shot at top graduate positions, he isnt really keen on gunning for them because he doesnt want to be stuck working in a high pressure role with long hours. With a lot of my selective friends, they dont really question that aspect of work, they just seem to gun for the top positions because it's a part of their conditioning if that makes sense. A lot of people will probably disagree and I am generalising, but it's something I've definitely noticed from hanging out with different people.

In terms of BoS, the demographic obviously features a lot more selective students and I think that has led to the development of some unrealistic views on education. There seems to be a mentality whereby people think the HSC is easy and that anyone can do well. I think that has largely been spread by selective students who are surrounded by highly capable individuals. Having gone to a comprehensive school, to me this view doesnt really sync, because I saw people who struggled a lot with school (I knew a few people who could barely read by the time we got to Year 12).

This post isnt a selective bashing, it's more or less my observations on the differences in mentality between selective students and others. I am generalising, but I do think there are subtle differences in mentality with such students.

Also to note, when I say "selective", I'm referring to any school which selects students on an academic basis (so private schools like Knox and Sydney Grammar are included).

 

[QZP]

I was at a chemistry competition held at one of the uni's and a lot of the selective (or private) schools which I won't name were acting very elitist to lesser schools.

 

[mreditor16]

Absolutely agree Enoil. Some of the points are very insightfully true. I would know going to a selective school, one that is among the most competitive of the selective schools.

But personally at my school, everyone is supportive and our grade is very tight-knit. Anything else, OP?

 

[mreditor16]

I was at a chemistry competition held at one of the uni's and a lot of the selective (or private) schools which I won't name were acting very elitist to lesser schools.

that definitely happens. once or twice, a few students (i have heard) at my school have acted elitist in the way you describe... but every school will have a few rotten apples.

so yeah ...

 

[matchalolz]

at my school the competition is there but it's not that fierce and everyone is still really good friends. I don't think selective school people are snobby, maybe some, but others seem pretty normal to me lol. I do agree with enoilgram who said above that you're conditioned to think about getting the best ATAR, job, etc. but it's because everyone else is always in that zone and you get sucked in with them. Sometimes I feel a bit pressured to keep up with everyone and have to remind myself to keep everything in perspective and chill. I also find that some of us can be unaware of what "normal" teens are like. I myself was very surprised when I realised that not everyone goes to uni. Also, when I went to a party last year (with non selective peoples) and people started talking about dealing drugs, their sexual relationships etc. I was like huh what -.- feel so isolated

i think some people hate on selective kids but there's nothing wrong with most of them lol just my opinion

 

[rumbleroar]

general impression: azn



but in all honesty, selective school kids are just like normal school kids. some might be more academically driven (school environment, parents, etc) but most of them are really nice and not as judgemental as perceived. ofc, there's always going to be elitists around but that's a poor representation of what selective school people are like.

 

[obliviousninja]

I wish I was selected. Racists.

 

[Queenroot]

General image: Cocky, have never heard of General Maths or Standard English

 

[BLIT2014]

I was at a chemistry competition held at one of the uni's and a lot of the selective (or private) schools which I won't name were acting very elitist to lesser schools.

Doesn't matter what the school is, they'll always be some 'idiots' at every school.

 

[obliviousninja]

Private school repping ~ I iz such elitist with ma scholarship

 

[Queenroot]

at my school the competition is there but it's not that fierce and everyone is still really good friends. I don't think selective school people are snobby, maybe some, but others seem pretty normal to me lol. I do agree with enoilgram who said above that you're conditioned to think about getting the best ATAR, job, etc. but it's because everyone else is always in that zone and you get sucked in with them. Sometimes I feel a bit pressured to keep up with everyone and have to remind myself to keep everything in perspective and chill. I also find that some of us can be unaware of what "normal" teens are like. I myself was very surprised when I realised that not everyone goes to uni. Also, when I went to a party last year (with non selective peoples) and people started talking about dealing drugs, their sexual relationships etc. I was like huh what -.- feel so isolated

i think some people hate on selective kids but there's nothing wrong with most of them lol just my opinion

LOL

 

[mreditor16]

Haha I have to disagree with this one. I don't think that some people in this said grade (and I would know lol, I go to the same school) are what I would classify as 'supportive'. Good people, definitely– But there are also people who take competition as negative rather than positive, and are more focused on beating everyone else than working on their own weaknesses. An example is when someone malpracticed for a few extra marks– clearly unnecessary because this person is really bright anyway and so it got me annoyed that they would sacrifice what I think is morality, for an ATAR dream. Of course, this is a generalisation and I am in no way attacking personalities of people but sometimes I do question work ethics.
Btw, this is just a few people haha, just something I noticed from selective schools (that the academic competition is so intense that people can take it negatively)

yeh i agree. i think "everyone" was the wrong word to use and hyperbolic connotations, a few 'bad apples' but the majority (especially those who I choose to communicate/socialise/be friends with) are defs on the 'good' side.

 

[obliviousninja]

Why is SB part of GPS

 

[enoilgam]

Also, when I went to a party last year (with non selective peoples) and people started talking about dealing drugs, their sexual relationships etc. I was like huh what -.- feel so isolated

This is a misleading sign of maturity though - just because you havent been exposed to this stuff, that doesnt make you immature or sheltered. You might be the type of person who hangs out with conservative people who dont partake in this sort of stuff. I was in my early 20s before I was directly exposed to people using drugs and that was mainly because I hang out with people who arent into that stuff. I should note, by direct exposure I mean being with friends whilst they got high - as a matter of principle, I would never actually take illicit drugs (I only stayed because they were smoking weed, which I dont have an issue with, if they were doing hard drugs I would have left).

Same thing goes for sex, just because you are exposed to it doesnt make you any more mature or "experienced" - some people I know who are sexually active are extremely immature and very naive. By the same token, some people who havent engaged in it are very savvy and life experienced.

 

[Soulful]

What about the stuff about selective schools being socially inept ie Ruse. How true is this?

Personally, I think selective schools generally have a bad image of other selective schools.