Is the "college experience" actually worth it

<p>I am a high school junior. I loathe the modern education system; I'm absolutely sick of tests, grades, professors, and other petty/superficial modes of judgment. Because I've had such poor experiences with school, I don't think I'd like to go to college (at least not right away). I am a highly motivated individual, and I plan to pursue an artistic, non-academic career. I'm very aware of my chances and the risk I'd be taking </p>

<p>This being said, I have a twin sister with the same career aspirations as I do, and unlike me, she's unsure of whether or not it would be a wise choice to opt out of college. Although she's aware of the cons (debt, and when she exits 4 years later she won't be one step closer to her dream), she's still hung up on the college experience</p>

<p>In complete and total honesty, do you think the college experience is worth the time and money? Realistically. I appreciate truthful answers</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>I just finished my first semester at a University and I loved the academic parts, but the social side was just awful. I chose to live in the dorms, and these people weren’t ready for college and have no respect for others. To save money I will definitely not be living on campus again. I want to be a professor so I’m doing what I have to but if you are unsure about college or afraid of debt take a year or so and explore your options, you won’t be doomed. I can’t be sure of what the college experience is but if its the social aspect you or your sister want I’d say its not worth it, especially if you put it above academics. Why pay and take out loans only to party hard and fail, you can do that at home. College is a time commitment for sure.</p>

<p>Why don’t you suggest your sister post here herself? She sounds more open minded than you do, so let her have first hand interaction rather than through your negative filter.</p>

<p>There are freedoms at college that transcend high school life both academically and socially. But in a way, like most things, you get out of it what you put into it.</p>

<p>College exists (arguably, at least the reason it’s subsidized by the government) is because it increases the productivity of its students. Anyone who’s confident that college will not increase their productivity for one reason or another should not go, that would be a waste of time and money.</p>

<p>College is not radically different from high school. You go to class, do homework, take tests, etc. You probably already know basically what college is like, you can probably judge for yourself (likewise, your sister can probably judge for herself) whether or not college is worth doing for her.</p>

<p>I know a girl who has a similar viewpoint to you, so she researched colleges that did not have grades and had other ways of giving feedback so you might consider that?</p>

<p>I dont really have an answer, since im going into the marine corps after hs graduation…
but this will be an interesting question to keep my eye on for answers</p>

<p>Honestly, the “college experience” in itself is not a reason to attend college. As a senior in high school, I know that my priorities lay in academic opportunity; social life in general is probably the least important component of my search. Do what you need to do to achieve your goal. I need to attend college because I have my heart set on the medical field; do what you need to do to grow artistically. I only have one question: are you absolutely sure that there is nothing to be gained from a college education pertaining to your target skill set?</p>