Elitism

In today's Sunday Times, Sumiko Tan writes about branded schools, neighbourhood schools and the stereotyping that exists. At the end of the article, she ends off with "Branded schools will give you a headstart in life, but they can only take you so far. The rest is really up to you."

 I agree. Although I'm not from an uber top tier school, I still feel slightly elitist simply because I'm not from a neighbourhood school. Being able to say I'm from -inserts brand name schools- is a bonus. Although people don't blatantly subscribe to stereotypes, we know that in our hearts, we do believe in those stereotypes.
Try mentioning you're from a branded school. The reactions you'd get are "wow!" or "you must be really smart." Even at work, employers do look at your academic history. They want all-rounders and where you went doesn't matter? Not the full truth. When you're meeting superiors for the first time, where you went helps them form an impression. Branded school= will be a high flier. Neighbourhood schools= oh. No comments.

I do have my own stereotypes. Not original; they've only been around for like the past 50 years or so? You were from a branded Chinese school but can't speak Chinese? Oh how weird! How did you survive? You were from That school but how is it you're not rich? 
Hmm bitchy girls' school... Dislike from the get-go.
Of course while your school doesn't determine who you are, I do believe that the school helps shape you. When people behave badly, I can't help but attribute it to their school history. Sounds like a snob? Unfortunate but true.

So kids, study hard now. Don't be lazy and cite reasons like "oh it's near my house!" because going to a branded school if you can, is only good for you! As I mentioned before, some people turn out like rubbish even though they were from a branded school. Early bloomer perhaps? And I personally can't believe they were from so-and-so school. That school would be so ashamed. Likewise, good results don't maketh a person. Get excellent results and yet fail grammar and spelling? Please. Shred your cert and don't mention your A1 in English anymore. Fluke.