Should I even go to college?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I am not sure if this is the right place to post it, so please move it if it is incorrect.

Anyways, for the longest time I’ve been thinking about what college I want to go to , what I should major in, how I will get scholarships for them, and more. I am a high school sophomore, with a 3.7 gpa at a trade school and a relatively poor family. I’m ranked 21/220 (though I wouldn’t consider that good for colleges, as I’m just barely in the top 10%)

Anyways, here’s the deal. The more I research on college the more I find it’s unnecessary. I see people whom do what they love, make good money, and are not forced to live with debt. The average college graduate, from what I’ve seen, usually ends up in a massive amount of debt, goes on to not get a job in their major, and end up living with their parents (1/3). This happened to my brother, who thankfully is not in major debt (20 or so thousand). He lives with us, has a job at walmart, and is in debt. Debt is something I hate; in every game, simulation, survey you name it, I hate debt.

I primarily want to go to college to get a higher education, and to get out of this city. What’s the point of leaving if I’m going to come pack and get a job that a average high school graduate would get and make the same wage? I’ll be bringing back thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt, and possibly no knowledge as I’ve heard many colleges are textbook teaching, as I call it. This means that you’ll learn things completely unnecessary to real-world work.

I haven’t been to college, but my brother tells me many things about it, and it sounds just like my school. We are here for four years, and will learn 4 years worth of the trade, but a 2nd year compared to a 4th year will know almost as much and know how to do as much as the 4th year. This is true, in my school at least.

I don’t exactly know where I’m going to at this point, but I find college to be a corrupt source of income from greedy business men. It’s been nailed into high school students that you are only successful if you go to college. College’s admission price has inflated greatly over the years and are easily taking the money of young mines and parent’s who want their children to be successful. This could of course be false, and I’m not standing by my words but from what I’ve seen this does fit quite accurately with the current system.

Luckily for me, I’ve found the major that I want to do, or at least sorta have a group of things I’d like to select from. These involve computer sciences, which is a growing trade and will continue to grow for the future years.

I want to go to college, for many reasons. I’ve often considered trying to get into the top tier schools (even though I’m not in the right place nor am I smart enough for it) and schools that are really expensive, and worry about debt paying once I’m at that point. Though, I know I’ll hate myself when that day comes. I’ll look back and wish that I’d of never chosen to go to that top tier college, or that really expensive one, yet at the same time I might thank my past self. Further education has been on my mind for months now, and it’s still bothering me. I quite honestly don’t want to become that guy at best buy, or a truck driver. I want to be successful in life, have a good career, just like anybody else. I’ve just come to realize that going to college or not could change my life for the better, or for the worse.

Anyways thanks. If you can understand what I’ve just said then I applaud you, as I don’t know myself. I am more than likely mistaken on many of things in this post, and I’d like to be corrected. I still have 2 1/2 years of high school left to ponder upon this topic, and I realize that right after high school is the time for college, for a variety of reasons, and it’s my personality to get things down and set, even though life is full of surprises.

2

I totally agree with you on tuition fees. College prices are outrageous and many innocent unknowing students acquire hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt and end up paying for it majorly down the road. I do think you shouldn’t have as much of a problem as most in securing a job, as its a rapidly growing field. What did your brother major in, if you don’t mind me asking?

Have you looked at EFCs to see what you/your parents will actually pay. If you have a sibling in college it could decrease the price a good bit. Actually top tier schools (namely Ivies) are known to provide the most aid.

Have you considered doing the whole military education thing? I would think they would be especially interested in CS people. I think it could really open some neat doors career wise too. One of their schools is well though of, but I can’t remeber its name off the top of my head.

Also, think down the road, would you be intrested in pursuing a PhD in the field. Most PhD’s are actually tuition free and have a stripend. You could always go to state school then go to a prestigious one to get both the experience of a top notch school and little debt.

3

Good to hear that you are interested in computer science. If your high school offers any programming classes, take them. With an aptitude for coding, you don’t need to go to a top tier or particularly expensive school to get a good job when you graduate from college. A decent state school that offers computer science as a major will suffice if you study hard and avail yourself of internship opportunities.

College is not just like high school. People who attend college are, for the most part, there because they want to be, not because the law requires it. You’re treated more like an adult in college, which is a relief after high school.

I am a little confused by Madeline25’s suggestion about considering a PhD. That would be WAY down the road and only if you end up loving academia. It’s certainly not a necessary degree for a job in the computer sciences. A PhD is not particularly useful unless you plan to teach, and can be a stressful path for those who don’t love university life.

4

My brother went in for graphic design, but switched to communications simply because it was ‘easier’

I never even heard of EFC, so I’ll look into that

Military education? I’ll consider it. Never thought of that either

PhD is way far down the road, and if what pootie said was true, I don’t plan on teaching.

My school does offer a computer science class, but I’m in a different trade. It may be too late for me to switch but I am going to try to anyways. I already know I like the trade and there isn’t anything else I’m interested. Computer hardware/software is a hobby of mine, and I always wanted to learn coding, I just never had the motivation to do it at home; although by going to school and learning the trade I may change my mindset and code at home.

And ya, I know about the differences between college and high school a lot. I’ll be going their primarily for education though, and I don’t plan on wasting my time partying or whatever my brother did.

I forgot to mention, another reason why I want to go to college is simply the fact that I’m slightly scared about going into the real world. Going to college is one step forward to reality but isn’t quite there yet. I think it may give me some understanding and some time to prepare my self for the future. Idk

5

What are your stats? Get your standardized test scores as high as possible (do prep classes/tutoring if you can afford it), get your GPA as high as possible, and consider schools with full tuition merit aid. Spend as little as possible for undergraduate study.

UAH comes to mind, and they are really growing their cyber-security field of study, as well as other areas of computer science. . .

http://www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships

You’re a sophomore in high school (what do you mean “trade school”?). You’re not supposed to have all the answers. Your main job right now is to not close any doors too early.

My oldest did not go to college, is doing fine. Youngest is a total STEM kid - planning for the full college experience. There is no one set way to do adult life. Don’t worry; everything will work out. Just keep your grades up and start prepping for testing.

6

Trade school - Tech school , whatever you call it. We dedicate 3 periods a day for the trade we are in. For me it’s Electrical Technology. Anyways, only Juniors and Seniors can take the psat, sophomores and freshman can’t. My keystone for Algebra 1 was just barely advanced ( I wouldn’t consider it entirely my fault, as we didn’t even learn most of module 1. I winged it and did decent, though.).

7

^^ah I see. Do you get a certification as part of this high school process? Sounds interesting.

Even if you can’t take PSAT yet, you could buy a prep book (or check one out from the library) and start working through it. Also consider ACT.

Keep up the great work and don’t shut any doors.

8

Programs like you describe tend to be very regional.

Where I teach, your credentials would mean little. You need an associates degree just to run cable or install software. And those jobs are dead end. Maybe one or two promotions, and you’re done. Without more degrees there is no advancement. Whatever your skills, you’ll troubleshoot Windows for the rest of your life.

Maybe your location is different. But will it stay that way?

9

I got a psat book from our counselor, though I dropped it in some mud and it got messed up, though I can still probably work on it. Anyways, the school itself is interesting, the trade I’m in is not. I described this in a previous thread, if you wnat to know more about it. I described lots about my school, and other problems in my life, though I’m starting to figure things out.

To wasatch, I live in Erie PA. I know that their is practically 0 jobs in my city for computer science, except for some crap at best buy I bet. Based on what you said, if I go and get a good degree, I’ll probably have to head back here and try to find a decent job until I can get on my two feet and head out to some tech savy place, silicon valley? Hah. I forgot to mention Google is like my dream job. Unfortunately I’m not bright so there’s no way I could work there.

All my knowledge about computer hardware and software comes from almost a year of just random searching, reading, and all that fun stuff. I’ve troubleshooted many people’s computers simply over facebook. My knowledge is nowhere near as good as I’d like it to be, nor is my aptitude to learn more. Thus is why I will be trying to get into computer technology trade ( Which I shouldn’t have a problem doing, as there are so few people in that class. The only problem is if it’s too late to switch).

To be honest, I’m stuck. Even after I decide upon going to college or what not, I have to still find something I want to do for a living. Yet, at the same time I need to judge my choice on how great the pay is and how many jobs are available, plus if it’s going to still be relevant in 20 years.

10

Can you switch tracks and get into the computer science track?
At least, yes, try to switch to computer technology since you may like it better than your current track.
Can you switch high schools - or at least, if it’s not possible now, learn what you’d need to do in order to be allowed to switch schools?
Would your school (or any school) allow you to dual-enroll at PSU-Erie (the Behrend campus)? This might be the best solution for you - you’d take some classes at your trade school and some classes on campus. This level of rigor is hard to beat.
If not, would your parents accept to sign up for “homeschooling” and then register your for 4 classes at PSU-Erie each semester? It should be free since you’re in HS.

Would you have enough money to take online classes, such as Florida Virtual School or woudl your school have an agreement with another virtual school ? You’d be able to take Honors and AP classes through that.

I seem to recall you can’t study foreign languages - since you’re a PA resident and if you’re 15, you can study in the Intensive Summer Program at Penn State, and some languages have scholarships. Those with scholarships are considered “critical” languages, meaning the US Defense as well as businesses need more people who speak them, so they’ll give you money to pay for classes, AND it’ll give you a huge boost for college. So, pick one of the “critial” languages that comes with a scholarship. :slight_smile:
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/language-institute/startalk-arabic-academy-for-students
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/language-institute/scholarships

College does NOT mean a boatload of debt. It does not mean partying and returning home with no job.
CAN it? Sure. Depends what you CHOOSE to do.
College doesn’t “give” you a job. It provides you with many opportunities that you need to take advantage of. If you don’t, it’s on you. You need to go to office hours, create or join study groups, ignore parties and classmates who go out during the week, plan ahead, join clubs, be involved in student government or sports or whatever, take advantage of the university’s on-campus programming (conferences by famous speakers, exhibits, films both national and international that are shown for free), take advantage of study abroad/study away programs, polish your resume your first year and register with the career center, look for internships your second year, etc. If you do all this: yes you have a job.
Second: some colleges promise to give you a financial aid package without loans if your family makes less than x amount (typically, 75 or 80K a year).
If you prep seriously (exercises and practice every day) for the SAT or the ACT, you can aim for high scores; with a 30, some colleges will give you a full tuition scholarship, some even a full ride; with a 32, many colleges will provide you with a free tuition scholarship and many others will have free rides.
So, if you prepare seriously, college doesn’t mean tons of debt.
If you must, the federal loans ($5,500 your freshman year) are a solution - their total, 27K for 4 years, match what a college graduate can reasonably pay back in 10 years. Is it better to graduate without debt? Sure. But is it a catastrophe if you have 10 to 27K in debt if you get a good job thanks to taking advantage of every opportunity in college? Nope, not at all.
And if your family makes less than 65K, you can even apply to Berea College, where all students are granted a full tuition scholarship and work to “earn their keep” (generous donors and alumni whose successful life was made possible thanks to the college ensure the endowment keeps colleg accessible to lower-income students who are willing to work hard.) No debt.

11

Wow, thanks for all the information.

I am going to try to get into computer science, though I can’t guarantee I will be able to. I am able to switch to collegiate the end of this year, though I quite honestly rethought that whole affair and am pretty sure that I’m not going to switch. I know I’m sacrificing a lot not going to that school but there are many reasons keeping me here. If I can’t switch to computer tech, then I will.

I never heard of dual enrollment for my school, though many juniors and seniors can go on coop or whatever it is during their trade periods. Since my school is a tech school it wouldn’t be to far fetched, though behrend states that only those who completed sophomore year can enroll. I am still a sophomore, and I’ll most likely be able to only switch at the end of this year, so there is no way I can dual enroll at a college level place when I haven’t learned anything of the trade in my school.

Yah, my mom is way to poor to afford fvs. She works at lowes and she is a manager, so it’s not terrible pay ( I think it’s 18 dollars an hour) but that and child support is our only income, except my brother who doesn’t pay rent or anything.
Idk about that whole penn state camp thing. There’s no way I can make it there every day for weeks lol.

12

Would you have someone who could host you during the week, perhaps through your church?

13

I’m not religious nor do I follow one, so no to the church idea. Most of my family practically hates ours, and even if they didn’t, I know no one who lives near there