Is college being overblown?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>Now, before I get called for blasphemy, or I'm called a heretic or anything of that nature, let me explain:</p>

<p>It has come to my attention that college, an expensive and difficult center for education, research, and career building, has become the goal for seemingly everyone. Whether or not people want to do something that requires a college degree, or even if they know what they want at all, people think college is the place for them. For example, if anyone recalls those ExxonMobil commercials about math and science and AP courses, one of them has a student that says, "My parents drilled in me from an early age, that 'College is the place for you.'" You see the problem here? We know that college is the goal, but not what you learn, or having a successful career. It was also joked upon in the movie Accepted, where the protagonist's father says that "If you don't go to college, you're a failure."</p>

<p>Tuition at college is sky-high, and most of the time people have to take out loans (I am one of these unfortunate people). And many people either don't get their degree within six years, or do not even use their degree in the work force! Many people with business degrees never use their degree knowledge, and learn everything on the job. What was the point of college then?</p>

<p>You can see the effects of college trickling down. The best high schools are the ones that test the best, and are "College Preparatory" schools, or "Prep" or feature how many students go on to college, not how many work respectable positions in Fortune 500 companies, which [should] be far more important. After-school programs get more funding by sending more kids from their programs to four-year schools; some need the student to go to a four-year school just to meet their quota (sometimes 100% for good ones). Middle schools prep kids for the best high schools. Do kids even learn anything besides the system, and how to work it [or get screwed by it]?</p>

<p>I know what I want to do, and college is required of that (mechanical engineering OR electrical/comp sci). I am prepared for long nights, studying till the A-M, and having to do insane problem sets. But for someone who wants to be a writer? Why not...write? If you want to be a police officer, why not...go to community college if needed and go to the police academy? Electrician? Plumber? Mechanic? We need these people, and more of them. But if someone wants to do this, they are chastised because they aren't falling in line with everyone else.</p>

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<p>If you don’t want to go to college, then don’t.</p>

<p>Just don’t complain when the kid with the college degree is getting the job you wanted instead of you.</p>

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<p>I completely agree. It is apparent that many high school students today do the things they do just to get into college. It’s all just part of doing things the way the system wants you to, and if you don’t follow these unspoken “rules”, then others may believe you will end up as a nobody.</p>

<p>Although, I do believe that college is an important part of becoming an adult. It’s where you can surround yourself with others that may share your interests and beliefs.</p>

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<p>I agree with your assumptions. However, it is always good to have options; going to vocational school only allows you a limited range of careers, while a degree in Writing or English gives you versatility and the ability to go to graduate school. Plus college grads are looked on as more intelligent, responsible, and successful, even if none of those are actually true.</p>

5

<p>

^There is one reason to attend college.</p>

<p>

Because one first has to learn to write well using rhetorical strategies and style in order to be successful, and one learns such skills at…college?</p>

<p>

People generally don’t go to four year universities with the career path of plumber of mechanic set in stone. It might just be where I’m from (it’s not), but I don’t see people being chastised for aspiring to be a mechanic. That seems like a pretty ridiculous thing to say.</p>

<p>I guess I just don’t see the point of your post besides you saying, “College is just part of the system, man!” Yes, it is, and for a good reason: employers of most workplaces, no matter how grand or gross, give priority to college graduates. Basic logic would then point to attending college as the most efficient way of raising your chances of being hired. Maybe you’re extremely worried about money and just want to learn (I would be one of these people). Again, college is the most efficient way of doing this. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a four year university, or even a community college; one could go to technical school and do just fine.</p>

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<p>We all know how I feel about college in general LOL.</p>

<p>I don’t like college in general for the reasons you listed. Honestly, it has nothing to do with social life but I just look at college as pointless sometimes. I mean for instance, I want to work on wall street yet 98% of the employers tell you “You do 90% of the learning on the job.” So please tell me, if we do a good portion of learning on the job, what’s the point. </p>

<p>I also feel like it’s very stressful. I feel drained this year and I didn’t even work that hard. It’s so stressful because you have to satisfy so many things/people. You have to satisfy yourself if you want to get into that grad school/summer job; you have to satisfy your parents; and so much more. It’s just so stressful.</p>

<p>I just look at it like what’s the point. An education is important and I understand, but honestly, you could learn the stuff you learn in college on your own time. </p>

<p>Whatevz.</p>

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<p>It’s so much about who you know as well. Colleges give access to an extensive network of alumni and classmates. Some offer enriching, structured study abroad programs. Some ensure internships. If you know people before college, I would agree that it’s pointless to go.</p>

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<p>College isn’t for everyone. The only reason you NEED college is for science related fields I’d say, such as becoming doctor, engineer, chemist, bla bla bla science ****. All these REQUIRE some sort of proof that you know what you’re doing, and that piece of proof only comes from college.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you’re going to be a writer, programmer, artist, whatever, college is not essential. Hell even business degrees aren’t that useful, I’d say their primary use is to show that you can stick through college for 4 years (In other words, you’re committed). All these fields you can get into with a high school education and be very successful, as shown through the ages by many a person. The people that do go to college for these things, like you said, usually end up not even using their degree’s. If they do, the only thing separating them and the self made man of the same profession is the fact that one had his/her hand held through the learning process while the other went balls out and succeeded (something I view as much more useful).</p>

<p>Parents encourage kids to go to college because many parents want their kids to get into a field that is guaranteed success (Doctor, engineer, bla bla bla science ****) and therefor requires college. At least, that’s what I noticed where I live.</p>

<p>College isn’t overblown. It’s just that too many kids go for the wrong reasons.</p>

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<p>For the people who don’t actually need college to go into their intended field, the main reason to go to college is to separate yourself from people who don’t. It shows that you are more educated, dedicated, and prepared than the other guy. It doesn’t have to be true in every case, but in most cases, it is useful in picking the best person for the job. </p>

<p>Employment is even more competitive these days. Going to college can get you a lead on your competition. If not for substantial reasons (intelligence, learned skills, etc.), then for superficial reasons (the pretty piece of paper).</p>

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<p>College definitely isn’t for everyone. I have to say, it does bother me when people come to class and act up, then try to play catch up at the end of the semester and scrape by with a C.</p>

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<p>I’ve always believed that college is not for everyone, but education is. Regardless of what you want to do with your life, you should try to be as educated as possible in your field. </p>

<p>Sent from my PC36100 using CC App</p>

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<p>As a high school art teacher of 31 years who wrote college guides years ago, I have an huge interest in my students’ futures. It thrills me to encounter a former student who reinvented themselves at college, or figured out that college wasn’t for them and joined the military and is doing well. I want ALL students to do well. This website seems to be dedicated to those that want to go to Harvard. Don’t get me wrong, I want to encourage ALL students. But not all students are of that caliber. </p>

<p>What high school and/or college is about is figuring out what you’re good at and running with it. An example, I had a former student who was NOT college material. He evaded academics at all costs, but was one of the most talented artists I’ve had in years. I encouraged him to apprentice with a sculptor right after high school. The sculptor said he was the most talented of all students he’s worked with (including MFA’s). After his apprenticeship he worked in a factory, a warehouse, and restaurant, all the while honing his skills, learning via YouTube and the books from the warehouse he was stocking. He then connected with SCORE, created a business plan, and now has his own store in the local mall, selling airbrushed merchandise of his own design. He’s paid off his $40,000 operating loan in 4 months. He also works 100+ hours a week. He will receive an award from SCORE as the youngest entrepreneur next week.</p>

<p>College has taken the place of apprenticeships. Most are unwilling or unable to take the path that this young man has taken. It’s all about the path…</p>

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<p>^While such events certainly happen, they are few and far between.

Not quite. A lot of the learning occurs by interacting with your professors, who are scholars in their own fields. I could have easily read the 31 classics that are on my Humanities 110 reading list on my own time, but I would have only had a fraction of the understanding of the texts that I do now after countless lectures and conferences. I would also go to office hours often to bounce ideas for papers off of him and ask him for help refining my argument. Language courses: one could self-study, but being in a class with a professional who is trained to teach that language is probably more efficient.</p>

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<p>If it wasn’t overblown in the past, it sure is now. In no way is it worth $40,000 to $120,000 for a Bachelor’s. If you can do it for $10,000 to $20,000, go for it. There are too many underemployed grads out there today. Just check out some of these stories:</p>

<p>[Your</a> Late Fees, Their Millions - Page 1 - News - New York - Village Voice](<a href=“http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-01-17/news/your-late-fees-their-millions/]Your”>http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-01-17/news/your-late-fees-their-millions/)</p>

<p>[Forbes.com</a> - Magazine Article](<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2006/0327/039_print.html]Forbes.com”>http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2006/0327/039_print.html)</p>

<p>[is-the-college-debt-bubble-ready-to-explode:</a> Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance](<a href=“http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/111460/is-the-college-debt-bubble-ready-to-explode]is-the-college-debt-bubble-ready-to-explode:”>http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/111460/is-the-college-debt-bubble-ready-to-explode)</p>

<p>and ESPECIALLY this one:</p>

<p>[Why</a> Did 17 Million Students Go to College? - Innovations - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovations/why-did-17-million-students-go-to-college/27634]Why”>Innovations: Why Did 17 Million Students Go to College?)</p>

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<p>People don’t HAVE to go to college, it is impressed upon teens that it is a good idea because it makes you more competitive in the job market…and the way the job market is every little bit counts. There are cheaper alternatives that are more focused on a particular area for people that don’t want to pay as much for a continued education.</p>

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<p>Yeah, learning a skilled trade like plumbing or being a mechanic will get you a very good living and great job prospects. People just don’t often want to do these jobs or they see themselves as capable of doing something better.</p>

<p>But one person’s not better than another for going to college. I also think it can be a useful thing (if you’ve got some money/are poor) if you have no idea what you want to do in life, college is an excellent place to figure that all out.</p>

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<p>I discovered this on Facebook today:</p>

<p>[National</a> Inflation Association](<a href=“http://www.inflation.us/collegesdeceivingmythshoaxes.html]National”>http://www.inflation.us/collegesdeceivingmythshoaxes.html)</p>

<p>I read this after I made that initial post, and while I am in support of college, I don’t support everything. This is the extremist view, I am not this far over. I was wondering why that when I did sample textbook lookups, I needed all this extra bull like access codes and solutions manuals for chem labs and stuff like that.</p>

<p>And to those saying you should “figure yourself out” in college, people should at least have an idea. Most people would do much better by simply working for a year, getting entry-level experience as a high school graduate by working under someone, or anything that makes money.</p>

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<p>National Inflation Association is a front for selling sliver .
They have no idea what there talking about , and their documentary makes no sense . A kid shouldn’t spend his money on college, BUY SLIVER, BUY BUY BUY .
Guys, I’ve worked an entry level job, I had a great job working in Video Game QA( Yes I was a game tester) . The problem with not having a B.A. is your very much replaceable since they know they can find someone else . And the max your realistically making is 1600-1800$ a month . Plus, no matter how hard you work many employers will never give you a raise, this isn’t 1950( though if your non-white that year wasn’t much better) you can’t just go out and find a decent paying job after high school . Many jobs that reqire no more then a high school diploma are now asking for B.A.'s, I should know, now alot of QA jobs want you to have B.A.'s( this is a reflection of how high schools now a joke, they need to see a B.A. to make sure you can read )</p>

<p>The advice I give is to be realistic, don’t go 60,000 in debt thinking you’ll land an amazing job right after college. If your not sure about college, go the community college route, and after 2 years you can then decide if you want to continue and finish up or just get a AA and be done.</p>

<p>AA are useless though, I have one .</p>

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<p>@thisislife: Yeah, they do seem like a front for selling silver and gold. They present some apocalyptic views that I don’t agree with 100 percent. And their claim that one month of reading their website can equal or better 4 years of economics training at the college level? Haha, they must be joking.</p>

<p>There are a lot of reasons why college is good (and why everyone interviewed in the video had a college degree): refined skills and the like, but college is ridiculously overpriced these days. I think the US could definitely use some overhaul when it comes to education and spending.</p>

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<p>Someone else mentioned that college is pressed on kids from a young age. I’d definitely agree- ‘Oh, you’re white and middle class? Better start you on that college-bound path!’ is the message that a lot of kids I know got from their parents, and even some teachers, despite the fact that they were c or b- students in college prep classes. Now a lot of people that graduated high school with me have already dropped out of college and are back at home, trying to figure out where to go from here.</p>