<p>Gotta love being a honors student with a full scholarship to an out of state college :)</p>
<p>Besides; most states require discounts.</p>
<p>And there's always Community College + transfer.</p>
<p>The problem is that people see a college degree as the norm, and so thinking that a college degree equates success pursue a course that isn't right for them. </p>
<p>So many people apply to Ivies and truly don't deserve to get in, as terrible as it sounds. College degrees are in demand and you have to be willing to sacrifice all of your time, if not huge amounts of money, to get those "designer degrees."</p>
<p>My furniture teacher was actually talking to us about this earlier in the year. College just isn't right for everyone, and some high schools do a better job of dealing with this reality than others. My school has a program to send students to daytime vocational training in fields such as cosmetology and mechanics, and they're very well promoted and attended, so here kids tend to have pretty realistic perspectives. </p>
<p>However, at my boyfriend's high school, all they heard from freshman year was college, college, college. As a result, there are a number of people at his current school, the local community college, who have been there for 3, 4, sometimes 5 years, from his high school, who aren't really cut out for school, and were never really told to seek out other options. </p>
<p>Maybe the difference is affluence. My school isn't in an impoverished inner city, but it's not in a particularly nice place either, while my boyfriend went to a school that had kids from a pretty much exclusively white, middle class suburb. Cultural expectations, maybe?</p>
<p>That definitely plays a part.</p>
<p>If you're an upper-middle class white kid, you're going to a 4-year college whether you want to or not.</p>
<p>In my magnet high school (rank #21 USNews), we have a 100% 4 year university matriculation rate.</p>
<p>I originally thought that the article was a crank but then read it and the person does cite a lot of statistics and apparently has some weight behind his opinions.</p>
<p>But he seems to go way overboard in his opinion, to the point of hyperbole. College is what the student makes of it. Sure, there are lots of students that are unprepared. But there are those that fix that problem and get their degrees. And there are lots and lots of kids that are prepared, go to college, get great educations and great jobs.</p>
<p>My small catholic high school has a 96% 4 year university matriculation rate.</p>
<p>I agree with BCEagle91. Those kind of students have to work harder if they want to be successful. It's also a waste of time if you make $16/hour, wait for everything to be given in a silver platter, and live like a robot. Although $16/hour is about 33k before taxes and that's what (in average) a public school teacher makes.</p>
<p>Pistolen08, ashlieh...that's nice and all...but it seems as though you've missed the point of the article/thread. if the article or any of these posts meant anything to you, then you would have seen that college isn't right for everyone, even if everyone you know is going. i know a lot of my friends who just aren't cut out for college who are in 4 year institutions, and probably won't get great jobs. and even if they do, who's do say they're enjoying it, if it's what they really wanted, if they'll apply themselves enough to avoid a dead-end job etc. i wouldn't be surprised if my high school has a 20% 4-year university matriculation rate...and given the circumstances of my city and the school, i can understand and sympathize.</p>
<p>I don't think it's a waste of time/money. It's just that some are not motivated to study hard enough to pass the classes.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I agree with BCEagle91. Those kind of students have to work harder if they want to be successful. It's also a waste of time if you make $16/hour, wait for everything to be given in a silver platter, and live like a robot. Although $16/hour is about 33k before taxes and that's what (in average) a public school teacher makes.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Hahaha I can't wait till he sees this. You forgot the retire by 40 part!</p>
<p>
[quote]
And there are lots and lots of kids that are prepared, go to college, get great educations and great jobs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Is it because of the education though?</p>
<p>from the article
[quote]
You could lock the collegebound in a closet for four years, and they'd still go on to earn more than the pool of non-collegebound - they're brighter, more motivated and have better family connections.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
I don't think it's a waste of time/money. It's just that some are not motivated to study hard enough to pass the classes.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Perhaps because its just not for them but they go because their parents will look down at them and society will too.</p>
<p>Do I feel like degrees are waste of time? Some people get degrees just because they like to learn or its needed for their job like doctor etc. On the other hand people need to show kids other options. There is just too much "Oh you need a degree to get a good job" garbage.</p>
<p>waste of time/money?</p>
<p>nah.</p>
<p>i'm staring to agree with the article. i mean, i look at my president of the school, who makes more money than the president of the united states, yet we have to pay for salad dressing and hot water!! i just find this ridiculous, kinda funny though. i still feel like i was tricked into going to a university. "liberal arts colleges are for people who wants to learn about life. universities are for people who wants to make money after college". say that to room full of 16 year olds, and see how many will end up at a university, even if they have originally thought of going liberal artsy. i think i would've had a better time at a liberal arts college... it costs more than a public U though,... but probably better professor interaction and guidance.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My school has a program to send students to daytime vocational training in fields such as cosmetology and mechanics, and they're very well promoted and attended, so here kids tend to have pretty realistic perspectives.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Mine too. They could even have these classes count as units towards graduating and their University Admission Mark if they changed their mind.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you're an upper-middle class white kid, you're going to a 4-year college whether you want to or not.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Unless you have open-minded parents who understand that you want to do something different. But even then you're still kind of going against all that you've been taught is the be all and end all of your youth. I was so lucky with my parents.</p>
<p>My point is that at my school it is mostly white middle-upper class families. These families force their children to go to college. I know some people who don't really want to go to college, but it has been engrained in their heads that they have to go to college. Their parents are forcing them to go.</p>
<br>
<p>Is it because of the education though?</p>
<br>
<p>In most cases, at least in my field, it is. Can it be self-taught? Sure. If you have the money for the equipment, labs and access to people and materials and books that you can self-teach from. But universities may be a far more efficient way to learn. I think the problems are cost, time and fit.</p>
<p>I like the way the English does things perhaps America should do the same...</p>
<p>After 2yrs of H.S you could continue or go on to a vocational program. And take a year off before you enter uni.</p>
<p>The title of the article is misleadingly broad. </p>
<p>Community college is hardly ever a waste of money (and the amount of money is pretty small), and it's usually somewhat easy to succeed. </p>
<p>Also, he doesn't seem to realize that not everyone becomes a waiter - and that most jobs simply require a college degree. Not going just isn't an option.</p>
<p>College is a waste of money. I am currently devising a plan and contemplating partnerships that will allow me to recycle goods in such high quantities that my net income would surpass that of 95% of full time college hires - untaxed as well. SCREW SCHOOL. collect 1370 recyclables a day and you will earn $50,000. And that is perfectly conceivable. So who really needs a college degree?</p>