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There's something about being in the same circles as rich people

I am blessed to have gotten the chance to attend one of the top schools in the US and the World. One of the Ivies that isn't really an Ivy.

I didn't come from money. Not at all. One thing I've learned here however is that most attendees are either super rich, super talented athletes, or super smart. And even the people in the former two categories are also very, very smart.

That said, a lot of friendships seem to lack value. They're more about "networking" than being friends. It's more about mutual benefit. I barely see people who are friends just for the sake of it. The moment you aren't providing that value to them, they slowly let you fade away. Even in romantic relationships! It's ridiculous.

I don't blame them though. That's the culture most people here seem to have grown up with.

There's also this really, really soulless pursuit of money and power. It's really beyond what I can explain in words. You have to experience it to understand how slimy it feels.

I have thankfully graduated and have that alumni badge added to my name which has honestly opened so many doors for me in the professional world. But still, unlike when I first got admitted, it's no longer something I proudly brandish.

I don't think I'll be able to live in this area for more than two/three years, and that's only so I can get the work experience required to get my professional license.
Mamapolo2016 · F Best Comment
There's a saying - "as the twig is bent, so shall the tree incline."

It's like an organization designed to provide the race-winning horses. Selective breeding and intense training. They don't care if the horses love anybody, so long as they do the job.
somedude15 · 22-25, M
@Mamapolo2016 this is a very, very good way to put it. They're essentially "creating" race winning horses here. I now understand why the people who rise to the top of politics all attended Ivy League Universities. Honestly, without the "training" they got here, I don't see how else they would be able to do it. You definitely have to lose a little bit (or a lot) of your soul to reach the kind of levels of success most people only dream about.

Do I regret coming here? No. It's helped me find a really good job straight after graduation. But wow. My experiences here make me understand why it's so selective. If someone applies here and gets rejected, they shouldn't even be sad, because the admissions committee is doing them a favor.
@somedude15 Never forget, when you're at the starting line of a race.

They produce very successful horses, but both horses and jockeys are there to [b][i]win.[/i][/b] Whatever it takes.

LiteralElite · 31-35, F
This chimes with my own experience in both Canada and the UK. I never felt out of place but the majority of students were either there because of a dynastic birthright (unsaid but implied), or to be fair because of being bona fide geniuses.

I never felt a genius, but super smart people attending a top college because of being smart seems more legitimate than people coached through school to get there because it is a natural (to them) stepping stone to well paid careers going back several generations.

The worst offenders of those being there just to network were (no insult meant to anyone in SW who went to one) those at business schools... I think that says something about our culture though I'm not sure what!
At least you can put up with it 🤷 good job man. Personally I can't stand those types of people & have a hard time being around them but if there's an end goal then it's worth it
cherokeepatti · 61-69, F
the way of the world it seems although some cultures when you make a friend you make a friend for life. I think when people are really ambitious they don’t have as much time & energy to devote to friendships and pick & choose the ones they want to keep.

 
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