The article highlights the intense pressure high school students face in the college admissions process, particularly at Horace Mann in the Bronx. Many students view grades as indicators of self-worth, with 91% reporting academic stress. This pressure results in a competitive environment where college destinations are openly discussed and compared, further contributing to feelings of inadequacy among peers. The findings are exacerbated by declining college acceptance rates, creating a culture where students feel judged based on their GPA rather than their identities.
"The first question he asked me was 'What is your GPA,' not 'What is your name.'"
"...91% of respondents reported that they were stressed about academics and college."
"...some students circulated spreadsheets of where each student was going, or whether they got deferred or rejected."
"It's one thing to want to know where your classmates are going, but this method is shaming, probing and feeds into the toxic culture."
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