As others have mentioned this obviously isn't a secret but the environment at top schools is very cult-like especially in certain labs and pursuing non-academic

As others have mentioned this obviously isn't a secret but the environment at top schools is very cult-like especially in certain labs and pursuing non-academic tracks is looked down upon. The problem arises when you are objectively more accomplished scientifically than your peers and you think you might have a chance and realize that it will take 2 postdocs, 10-15 years and more politics than science to get a tenure track job these days.