<p>re #39 (WashDad),</p>
<p>Were the assertions of US superiority any more specific or reference-laden? </p>
<p>Or is it that US supremacy is so self-evident as to not require references, but US deficiency is a matter for keen skepticism and elevated standards of proof?</p>
<p>siserune, I think most of us reading this read are scratching our heads and wondering "has this guy/gal ever BEEN to an American university?"</p>
<p>Because if you had, you'd see something you're hard pressed to see anywhere else in the world: adults, gray-haired adults going back for their masters, a second ba, finishing up an unfinished ba, or training for an altogether different profession. Our HIGHLY FLEXIBLE system allows non-traditional students to pursue studies at everything from community colleges to the most elite institutions. A friend of mine is finishing up a PhD at Harvard... a program he STARTED at the ripe old age of 49. My professor husband always marveled at the range of age/education/experience among the students he taught at the University of Colorado. I have heard the same comments from European professors here as guest lecturers. </p>
<p>Bottom line -- could you please explain what you mean? Because I for one have no clue as to why this system would be considered lacking in opportunities, flexibility and second/third/whatever chances.</p>
<p>Yeah,</p>
<p>I can't imagine what siserune is talking about.</p>
<p>...Or the 29 year old single mother (with full time live in boyfriend, son of my cousin) who applied to, and was accepted at Columbia University (yea, the one in NY, not Chicago) after having started and stopped her undergrad education several times...</p>
<p>Interestingly, one the plane yesterday (return from vacation in Bolivia, another story) I read an article about immigrants to Germany, and how their educational future is decided at 15! Flexible system...</p>
<p>Haven't been following this, but I just read through and am also confused by Siserune's stance. My college classes are stocked with everyone from 17 year olds to 50+ years old students--some returnees after starting college many years ago, some for the first time, some here to add to their credentials or for career change. their status does not impede on their Financial aid--if they qualify, they qualify.</p>
<p>My brother-in-law dropped out of two colleges, and then finally graduated from a third--he's making well up in the six figures in DC.</p>
<p>My 46 year old sister is finally going to college (yay!), now that she knows what she wants to be. :)</p>
<p>Education in the US is not perfect, but it's definitely founded on the premise that you don't run out of chances--there's always another path.</p>
<p>I definitely agree, garland.</p>