Meet our heroine (F23), one of the few female students in a male-dominated course at a prestigious university. She’s never really gotten along with the guys in her class, who are all very competitive and make everything a contest. To make matters worse, they don’t take her seriously because she’s a woman. But when she topped two out of four exams, things took a turn for the worse. A group of male classmates began accusing her of using ‘pretty privilege’ to get ahead, even suggesting she got help from a PhD student she’s been seeing. Our protagonist decided to report their behavior to her supervisor, but now she’s wondering if she went too far.
The Competitive Environment
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/19f63cbb-8460-4cdf-8891-053d984d3808.png)
Feeling Dismissed
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/e0e3e180-7227-4186-9743-b7b38c71318f.png)
Exam Success
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/5844fdd9-701f-4e62-8b48-153457826b68.png)
Classmates Turn Rude
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/6a5b2ced-1757-4ac3-865d-e36cdfa854aa.png)
Pretty Privilege Accusations
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/a52dcdfe-9234-466e-8c64-a6ef1a0918bc.png)
Snide Remarks
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/349884d6-9751-4739-ac32-f23b83d30317.png)
The PhD Student
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/3969b8e3-e006-417f-8706-958d84866491.png)
Public Accusations
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/2ffb2ebb-3f36-4bad-a3eb-6e45ef99f80f.png)
Setting the Record Straight ️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/149f38c1-fed9-4ef0-93b9-a3256a26c3c6.png)
Persistent Rumors
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/c85d7af6-2113-4ceb-a2b7-99a11bdc1330.png)
Anxiety Builds Up
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/f42f75ae-e9b8-4dc7-bb55-8809179acde2.png)
Seeking Advice
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/4bfd2262-c926-43b8-a762-ba191c25ed7a.png)
Confrontation
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/dcc0ff95-da9d-462c-a003-78304be20afa.png)
Cold Consequences ❄️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/baace811-dc1f-47a7-aa75-6fe3b88dc106.png)
Second Thoughts
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/09a6e07f-fbe4-4bda-a66d-ef488e3dbdff.png)
Did She Cross the Line?
Our protagonist is now feeling a bit embarrassed and unsure if she took things too far. She didn’t want her classmates to face serious consequences, but she also didn’t want to be the subject of their cruel jokes and accusations. She’s worked hard to get where she is and doesn’t want her reputation tarnished by these rumors. But with one classmate’s scholarship potentially on the line, she’s left questioning her actions. So, what do you think? Did she go too far, or were her actions justified? Let’s see what the internet has to say…
NTA: Report any retaliation, stand strong against intimidation tactics.

NTA – Standing up to undermining classmates and getting faculty support!

NTA. Motivation to help others increases with a smile.

NTA for standing up against disrespectful classmates and their actions

NTA, if misogynists want scholarships, they should be quieter

NTA for reporting harassment. Insecure guys jealous of your success.

Standing up to bullies and not letting them win!

NTA at ALL! Commendable for standing up against misogyny.

NTA. Report them again and again until they shut up.

NTA. Fighting against gender bias in STEM.

NTA – Reporting classmates for harassment is justified and necessary.

Standing up against sexism and bullying: NTA for speaking out!

NTA. Stand up against institutional sexism and seek support.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/a1770cf5-9897-4050-873b-d67a9d0ea597.png)
Report sexual harassment to school’s Title IX office for justice!

Breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated field ✨

NTA: Standing up for herself against disrespectful classmates.

NTA. They crossed the line with sexist lies. They got caught.

NTA. Standing up against harassment and jealousy. They brought it upon themselves

NTA. Shutting down misogynists and setting workplace boundaries.

“Toxic environment in academia. Losing scholarship is a high price.”

“Silly jokes” turn into harassment. You’re NTA for speaking up.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/d08d5fd7-f50a-48a9-bc9c-051dcb90b158.png)
Standing up to harassment in academia

Stand up against harassment! NTA, file that complaint and stay strong!

NTA. Standing up against harassment and belittlement is important!

NTA… Rise above the haters and keep moving forward! ✨
