<p>Wow…lol…I didn’t realize I miswrote that. I have made the statement that going away to college is a luxury so many times that I really thought that is what I wrote…because that is what I’ve said many times.</p>
<p>So…I meant to write: Going away to college is a luxury, especially to a sleep-away private university.</p>
<p>Sorry for the confusion.</p>
<p>This is exactly the mindset of a highfalutin society that places too much emphasis on business. In other nations in Europe and East Asia college is open to everyone without cost being a major factor as tuition is significantly cheaper. The students who get admitted go through rigorous years of studying and their fate is literally decided by a final test. There is no ability to apply to ten different colleges or have a backup plan. Going to university is a much higher priority than making money in other countries so why should America (the richest nation in the world) monopolize on higher education? </p>
<hr>
<p>I totally agree with you. Finally someone who has some knowledge and common sense, very rare in America.</p>
<p>Quote:
American so-so high school has much more facilities and is much mbetter equipped than the best university here</p>
<hr>
<p>Are you joking?? I come from Europe (Switzerland) and the level of education is unbelievably higher than in the U.S on average. I attend UCSD and many students get all scared when they have to write a 10 page paper, while I had to write a 30 page dissertation and orally defend it in order to even be able to take my high school final exams. I know UCSD is nothing compared to Harvard and other prestigious universities in the U.S., but I cannot believe how little effort I put in and still get a 3.8 GPA after 2 years. Thank God I went to school in Europe until I was 21, it prepared me well for University here, that’s for sure. And it was way cheaper too, which is the way it should be.</p>
<p>
You don’t see the fallacy in the logic here?? The poster was stating the US was “monopolizing” higher education by allowing students to attend who had not been groomed and preselected for college at an early age? That sounds like the US is broadening the reach of college.</p>
<p>Galou…</p>
<p>the method that other countries use is rather elitist. Those who have gone to the better schools and have better homelifes are more likely to do much better during those younger educational years and then pass those tests that weed everyone else out. </p>
<p>Those who didn’t have the advantages are closed out of they system.</p>
<p>^ yep, you’re correct. The US system is far better than anywhere else. And I am speaking this as an immigrant who has lived in more than couple of countries.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids</p>
<p>Maybe certain countries do that, but in Switzerland most schools are on the same level, so it doesn’t really matter what school you go to. Homelife has a huge influence though, that’s very true. I grew up poor and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to go to school because they make it easy and affordable there. The system here is way too greedy and mostly benefit people who already have money.</p>
<p>Cost is/was the factor when my dd, now a HS senior, my dh and I looked for colleges.
I work in a small LAC and we only visited schools where she had a shot of getting the tuition exchange scholarship. The reason I quit working my part time job in NYC, was to work full time at my job so I can be entitled to either free tuition at my job or have her get the tuition exchange scholarship. My dd knew that if she didn’t get the tuition exchange scholarship, she would go where I worked. My ds-8th grade is already aware of this but will probably end up where I work.</p>
<p>Anyway, my dd goes to a very rigorous college prep HS where most of her friends parents are very successful and a lot are in the medical field as well as very successful business owners. I was VERY surprised the beginning of the school semester (well after applications were sent) that a lot of her friends are determining (well the parents are determining) the school they will attend will be where there is least cost.</p>
<p>gaiou…what happens in a tiny country like Switzerland is not the example of how things are done in “other countries.” And, if the quality is soooo much better there, then go to school THERE.</p>
<p>Maybe it doesn’t represent what other countries do, but it’s certainly a better model than what is found here in the U.S. And telling me “if it’s so much better there, then go back to Switzerland” (I hear that a lot) is NOT an argument either. In fact, I am leaving the U.S. this coming September to go to Canada because the U.S and its emphasis on greed is just nauseating.</p>
<p>Gaiou, why did you even come to the US if your universities back home were cheaper and higher quality? Just curious. Doesn’t make much sense.</p>
<p>Anyways the model here is fine. Education per-university is free. College is available to everyone, even if you have low income. There are plenty of schools with low tuition.</p>
<p>kak said “Note that Oxbridge is rather an exception than a standard and I’m not talking about academics.”</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter than Oxbridge is an exception. Your original quote said the average U.S. HS was better than even the best in Europe. And if you weren’t talking about academics then what were you talking about? Facilities? Either way, you were completely wrong.</p>
<p>KPG said " I for one would rather have system where kids get “tracked” according to grades and merit rather than parental income!"</p>
<p>I agree, but I also have a theory that it still might not make as much of a difference in attendance demographics as you might think. Here is why: intelligence is largely heritable, and while there are certainly MANY exceptions, I would bet the the average intelligence of people that have done well in society is higher than the average intelligence of those who are really struggling. As such, their children will tend to have higher IQs than those who are struggling.</p>
<p>I know there are plenty of people who have done well not because of their smarts but because of their social position. I’m sure there are also plenty of people that have done extremely well based on their work ethic etc more than their brains. But, in general, I wonder if my theory has any validity.</p>
<p>I came to the U.S because I sincerely thought it would be great. I always wanted to come here. Man was I in for a big disappointment. The school system really isn’t that bad, it just seems expensive to me. It’s greed in general that bothers me. It’s fine though, I do know I can always go back to Switzerland, and I recently visited Canada, really liked it, and I will be moving there in September.</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>don’t let the border gate hit you on the tush on the way out.</p>
<p>gaiou37 -</p>
<p>Many people have trouble adjusting to life in new cultures, so it is not surprising that you have had difficulties adapting to life in the US. This is a large country geographically, and culturally it is also quite variable. Had you ended up in a different city, or just in a different neighborhood, you may have had an entirely different experience here.</p>
<p>There are a lot of good study materials on the issue of cultural adaptation (sometimes called cultural shock). Since you intend to re-locate to Canada this fall, you would be wise to spend some time reading up on this so that you have a better experience there than you had in the US. My favorite author is Craig Storti. Most of his works are designed for people from the US who are headed to (or returning from) other countries, however the general concepts apply for anyone who is facing a new environment.</p>
<p>Wishing you success in your new location.</p>
<p>That is my problem currently:
UC Davis is so expensive, but I would have more opportunities there.
UNR is so much cheaper, but it is not well known for research.</p>
<p>I believe its worth going to the not as good school, but save about $15,000 a year.
I can always go to Davis to grad school :)</p>
<p>“don’t let the border gate hit you on the tush on the way out.”</p>
<p>Really?? That just sounded so immature. People cannot take criticism in this country, it’s so weird.</p>
<p>happymomof1:</p>
<p>This has nothing to do with culture shock. I just slowly realized how messed up this country is and it has become an ethical struggle for me to stay here. I do think that studying sociology really made it worse when it comes to my opinion of this country because it really taught me about a lot of the stuff that’s going on here (things that most people may not know, especially if they are uneducated). It has nothing to do with the people though, I have met truly amazing people here actually.</p>
<p>
How lucky for you that you managed to find those few Americans who had some knowledge and common sense, weren’t greedy, weren’t messed up, and actually had some ethics. You must have had a hell of a time hunting them down! Your comments are incredibly offensive, poorly considered, and immaturely expressed. And you wonder why mom2collegekids made that remark? I say, poor Canada!</p>
<p>I have to say, your post made me laugh. I am used to these types of reactions, they mainly come from people who are not very educated or too patriotic to accept any criticism about the United States. Most professors I have talked to about how I feel completely understand where I’m coming from, and they are American. I’m sorry if I offended you, it was certainly not my goal, I was just expressing an opinion. I have heard negative things about my country, and sometimes they were true I know it’s not personal.</p>