[Smarty]

I thought this type of thing was standard at most schools. It might just depend on where you grew up and the friends you had in high school. I constantly discussed these issues with friends and guidance counselors at lunch during HS.

Despite putting up fronts about how little people care about grades/scores at colleges, the competition is just as bad, if not worse. Everyone knows where everyone else is working for their summer internship or full-time. For example, I have had random acquaintences walk up to me and congratulate me on receiving offers from certain elite firms. I guess when you are embroiled in this environment you don't realize how atypical it is.