[Gordon Booth]

When I became a student I was put through an initiation which was viscious, sadistic and downright degrading- a few couldn't take it, the rest of us survived and were gradually accepted. The next year it was OUR turn!
Don't know about a 'clique' but you do put some new members through a 'baptism of fire' which perhaps not everyone can handle. I wonder if some people join and are frightened off from joining in or staying in-as they say on the films 'be gentle with me'.