Opportunity Cost of Attending College

Since you are interested in statistics, I’ll give you a statistic. You are a sample size of one. You are an individual with unique experiences and capabilities. You’ve figured out how to make some money. You are excited by living. If you didn’t go to college you could entertain yourself with productive ventures. You’ve already figured out that you don’t fit anybody’s mold. You’ve already figured out how to teach yourself things that you want to learn. You sound fearless, which I think is terrific and healthy. You probably won’t need an employer, you will be the employer.

Honestly, you have to ask yourself whether you are looking forward to or are even open to a formal education and a college experience given your un-schooling background or do you just want the degree.

Personally, I think there is wealth in the personal interactions with your classmates. There is value in the social life. There is value in the intellectual stimulation and in challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone and figure out who you are and where you fit into a bigger global picture. There is even value in the humility and self-discipline of struggling to meet deadlines and expectations for your coursework. Each of these things can contribute to the you that you want to be. Or not.

I’m not you. If you don’t value these things, then maybe you should just skip college and do what you want to do. This is a very personal decision and is also a decision that you can change later. If you do go, I think you should be excited about the possibilities. If you decide to postpone, then you can go later. Maybe go visit some colleges and determine if you can see yourself growing at college or if there is something that you are more excited to do beforehand.