<p>Yeah, bank rolled well. I’m never that surprised or impressed by those that have their own businesses…and you later learn their parents are mega-wealthy entrepreneurs. One thing to start your own business, quite another to have one set up for you. Sorta like the Intel/Westinghouse winners whose parents just happen to be publishing scientists. </p>
<p>I agree with others who rightfully note that college is not for every kid and we should encourage and have pride in other paths to growth and independence. And how much happier, better off, more successful some kids would be if only they could pursue their real strengths and interests earlier on. Maybe become mechanics, or x-ray technicians, or plumbers or carpenters, rather than sit through college classes! They could have more fulfilling careers that suit them better, start earning a lot sooner, and contribute to society more readily than sitting through college because of someone’s expectations. </p>
<p>I see plenty of kids that don’t particularly like college, are not particularly interested in learning anything while there, and really are just warming up a seat to collect the letters. Maybe they don’t know what they want, maybe it’s family/teachers/social pressure, maybe it’s being misled that a degree is the only way to happiness/money/success. I often think there are a host of other experiences one could have in these precious years that would be so much more valuable to them.</p>
<p>Some parents do have a college mindset that won’t bend, no matter the kid.</p>
<p>I have a good friend whose son went off to college with a major in mind, works hard there and is doing great. Her younger daughter told the mom she didn’t want to go to college, she wanted to be a hairdresser. The parents said, “You are GOING to college!” The girl had zero interest in high school, and in fact didn’t even graduate on time because she failed senior English. She didn’t get to walk across the stage at graduation and had to go to summer school. But the mom was so determined that this girl was going to college that she convinced her to enroll in a CC in about a half hour from here (almost didn’t get enrolled because they were waiting for her hs diploma) and got her an apartment nearby with some friends so she could have a “dorm” experience. Of course the apt is now party central. I know this girl, and she’d be a great hairdresser - artistic and has a very social personality. I don’t know what she’s majoring in, but I think this whole CC & apartment had a lot more to do with mom fulfilling her image of her daughter going off to college instead of listening to what the daughter wanted & needed.</p>
<p>We’re in this situation right now. My daughter is seriously considering dropping out of college to pursue her career - acting. Now there are plenty of positives and negatives with that, she’s a very hard worker, very determined, and always preferred the “real world” to school. She also has worked professionally as a minor and has an agent who would be thrilled with her return. My husband is a bit distraught, his feeling is like the old ad, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” My daughter is exceptionally bright and has interests in so many areas, but acting is her life. She’s giving it until 1st term Sophomore year (she’s currently a Freshman) and will decide then. We’re just holding our breath because college is a social arrangement as well as an academic one and once you leave for more than one year, it’s tough to get that overall experience back. Hopefully between summer work and the fall term she’ll renew her enthusiasm for college. (And btw, it’s not the particular college, she loves it there; it’s her life goals that she feels are passing her by.)</p>
<p>Is college a necessity? Not really. Is it a middle class fact of life, pretty much.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s so much that college is a “necessity”, but I do believe strongly that every child should have the opportunity to make that choice. Meaning they should have good elementary, middle, and high school educations, supported by good teachers, an availability of information about the college process, available financial aid, and most importantly of all by parents that encourage them to keep all their options open and realize their full potential. Does every 18 year old HAVE to go to college? No, of course not. But no 18 year old should be UNABLE to go college because of factors beyond their control (economic class they were born into, quality of schools in their neighborhood, lack of information, ill informed or unsupportive parents, etc). </p>
<p>Then, if they don’t choose to go to college, fine, they should be encouraged to get some kind of specialized training though (trade school training, specialized certificate, IT training, whatever). </p>
<p>What I find most troubling about higher education in America now is not that every child does not go to college, but that every child does have an equal opportunity to do so.</p>
<p>Have you ever suggested to your daughter to take on a Theatre major? She could then still act as well as get an education. </p>
<p>Anyway, I agree. I am one of those middle-classed kids who went straight from high school to college. If I had it my way, I would have taken a year off, done some internships and traveling, and THEN go to college, knowing what I wanted to do versus guessing through random, unnecessary, unapplicable GEC courses. But I was forced into the college routine.</p>
LOL. He looks and sounds like something out of a bad Judd Apatow knockoff, doesn’t he? I can’t imagine anyone watching him and thinking, “this is a person I trust to give me wise advice about tremendously important decisions affecting my family’s future well-being.”</p>
<p>When my son decided to drop out of college last semester and join the Air Force one thing he told me was that he wished I had made him join right after high school, before he spent his college savings. I reminded him that I tried but he was insistent on going to college. Sometimes it isn’t the parent pushing.</p>
<p>I think that very, very few 18 year olds have any idea about how to start a business, much less run one well. When we talked to ours about potential college majors, our kids didn’t even have an idea - at 18 - what a business major could possibly lead to. Spending their college funds on a “business” that they could have managed at that point would have been throwing money away faster than burning it.</p>
<p>But look at the number of educated experienced adults who flub up businesses. For every graduating high school senior who has the chops to start a business, 1000 would fail. Assuming by “business” we mean something with a growth curve leading to above subsistence or barter economic activity.</p>
<p>It’s true that college might not be necessary for some people, but there’s tons of professions out there that simply need such kind of education. Where the hell would we get doctors, engineers, architects, lawyers, etc.?</p>
<p>That guy talks from a business point of view, which is an area where it’s possible to thrive as long as you are smart for it.
Next time he goes to a hospital I would like to see his reaction if his doctor told him he had no college education =P</p>
<p>Here are Altucher’s eight alternatives to college:</p>
<p>– Start a business.
– Work for a charity.
– Travel the world.
– Create art.
– Master a sport.
– Master a game.
– Write a book.
– Make people laugh.</p>
<p>Other than starting a business or writing a book, the other six are plans for a gap year - not for a life. As far as starting a business, six in ten new business startups fail in the first four years. And I’ve read that out of every 10,000 manuscripts submitted, only 3 are actually published.</p>
<p>I gave my son $25K when he was 13 to get some trading experience in.</p>
<p>If my kids presented me with a reasonable business plan, I’d take a look at it and would fund it if I thought it would make sense. Don’t you trust your kids? You raised them.</p>
<p>I got my college degrees later in life and had the opportunity to run a business and work in several industries before getting them. I don’t think it’s for everyone but it is a valid path.</p>