The New York Time's college blog called The Choice
linked to an interesting
feature in The Chronicle of Higher Education called "Are Too Many Students Going to College?" For the article, editors of the Chronicle asked a panel of education experts to weigh in on some heavy questions: Should everyone go to college? If so, what types of programs? Is college worth the expense and debt? Does it help the individual, society, neither, or both?
The Chronicle also mentioned President Obama's recent charge for all Americans to seek out at least one year of college or vocational school. Is that the most sound advice?
There are just
pages and pages of expert discussion, so I tried to pick out some of the highlights:
One expert, Charles Murray, argued that the classic four-year B.A. program is less than ideal for most students, citing statistics that say that these programs require for success high-level skills in language and math that are only present in 10 to 15 percent of college students.
Marty Nemko mentioned that, if you look at freshman in four-year colleges who graduated in the bottom 40 percent of their classes in high school, two-thirds of these students will not graduate, even in as long as eight and a half years. Nemko said it was up to colleges not to admit students they think would thrive in other types of programs.
Richard K. Vedder explained that the amount of post-college jobs available is currently less than the number of post-college adults, leaving many "academically overqualified" for most employment opportunities. Thus, not everyone should go to college, especially not on the government's dime.
But if you ask me,
Sarah@dollarish, I think that college is
way overemphasized in our society, as if this magical switch turns on in your brain as soon as you get your diploma, making you smart, mature, worthwhile, creative. That being said, I think colleges, scholarships, and government programs should pretty much maintain business as usual—if we want a change, it has to come from students, not the powers that be.
That might mean, um, that the President should stop pimping higher education like it's the be all and end all, and maybe remind Americans of what's really important: finding a livelihood, following your heart, providing for your family... stuff like that.
Do you agree with any of these experts (or me)? Do you think too many people go to college?
Comments (17)
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yes too many go to college don't accept those in the lower 40% that way its easier for the ones that will actually do something manage to do it with out supreme amounts of debt in the end.
I don't know about you, but, I like the wealth of knowledge and open-mindedness I have gained from my almost five years as an undergraduate. I will have a load of debt when I am completely done with school, but I will feel completely satisfied for doing it. I'm even still trying to decided whether I want to get my master's in Immunology. Anyway, many (not most) of my friends who did not opt for a four year education and opted to drop out of high school or just do the two year bit are extremely narrow-minded in their views. That's just in my experience. I know there are others who can prove the contrary, though.
i think colleges can set their own standards, and i have no problem with everyone going to college. the problem is that when everyone has a college degree, it becomes less valuable, and one has to get post-grad degrees to be competitive. but i always think education is a wonderful thing (not just for a degree, but just in itself). and i'm more of a b.s. kind of girl. w00t, science. :D
I agree with you... I worked at a nonprofit that promoted career education. It was the first time I ever considered "not going to college" and "successful in life" as two things that could be synonymous.
I went to college, gradtuated Magna Cum Laude, have a bachelor of Science degree in Computers, and what I am doing for work? Driving a school bus and absolutely loving it. Unfortunately, my college was not very willing to accept that maybe I didn't need a degree to do what I wanted in life, so I just kinda finished as I was part way through anyways. When I got out, I found I was overqualified for the jobs I was applying for. My boss even questioned me when I applied for the bus driver job...he wondered wny a recent college grad wanted to drive a bus...but I did. I was able to BS a reasonable answer and got the job. My new career goal is to become a dump truck driver and heavy equipment operator...no need for a fancy edumacation there...maybe a vocational school, but not a BS degree.
I think that the option should be there for people to go to college if that is what they want, but in my case it wasn't worth the time, energy, and most importantly the money. ....
Yeah. Too many people go to college. It's gotten to the point where I can't get a job waitressing at a restaurant, because all of the people I'm competing with for the job have B.A.'s. Which I think is a bummer. I would love to go to college- I love school, and I love learning. But I can't afford it, and I'm not willing to take out $20,000 in loans just to be able to graduate and work shitty jobs that won't pay my bills.
I think too much emphasis is placed on it for our society- America simply does not have a big enough job market to accommodate the grads its churning out. It would be one thing if the jobs we had available were all research based, or working practitioners, but as it is, most people would be better off going to a tech school, getting a certificate, and start their lives off without debt.
I value being an educated human being.
The people I am often around at my university, however, do not belong in college. They are only here because standards are so low that anyone can be here with enough money. They do not value their education as they should. It's disgusting.
My high school overemphasized college to the detriment of anyone who was looking for an alternative. In the mind of the high school counselor, it seems that there are two options: 1. go to college and be successful 2. don't go to college and be a stupid failure. My high school lied and ommitted vital information about costs, college life, college expectations, the value of a degree, and more in order to convince people to go to college.
As much as I value being an educated human being, none of this is helping anyone.
Despite anybody's views on college, whether you think too many people go or not, the degree does help in the end to earn money. It's a way to practice building skills and develop your thinking skills. Besides, without my college experience (and still there), I would've never really understand how anything works and had a narrow mind. I love learning because it makes me more accepting of my surroundings.
I'm not saying you can't just read information out of a book. People can learn that way as well. But they'll still have to work twice as hard career wise to NOT to be rejected for not having a B.A.. Yet, there are people out there who never went to school smarter than a Harvard graduate. It's a crazy world and the way it works.
College is a business as well and would make it seem like everybody has to attend college when in reality it's the opposite. I agree with you on some terms that college is overehmphasized. But it's also a way to keep competition going in the economy. I agree with Obama but maybe that's because I'm a nerd and like school =/
Well I can say this, college is not for everybody. It is good to have an idea of what you want to do for the rest of your life, so that you can plan accordingly.
Yes, college looks good. But it is not necessary for all careers.
I think too many people go to college that don't need to go to college to do what they want to do in life. If your goal is to become educated or to get a job that requires a degree, then do it. But if you want to do a trade job or something that doesn't require as much time in college (or any), why waste your time and money? Unfortunately, more and more jobs need college, graduate school, post-graduate experience, etc. Basically, jobs are forcing people to be overqualified because there are more people that have those qualifications, but it really screws up the system.
I'm studying Astrophysics, and I love it. I wasn't the brightest kid in grade school, but here I am succeeding at the university, becoming an educated human being. I am fulfilling one of the most amazing ideas: "The universe can comprehend itself.". I will have to venture into graduate school to make a career out of what I study, so If I don't make it I will be content with my enlightenment. Sometimes people just want to learn.
I'm a junior in college right now and it seems like college is a bit overrated. Many students here - aside from those in the business school - feel as though they haven't learned anything academically since arriving. I've heard similar complaints from students at other schools (community colleges and ivy league alike). However, the growing that occurs outside of the classroom makes college worth every penny. I think the setup of living away from home for 3 months, then coming home for a while is a good stepping stone to moving out of the house permanently. But, i am fortunate enough to have parents that pay for my education (in-state tuition). I'm not sure how i'd feel if i was spending 40k + just to learn how to grow as an individual and live on my own.
I'm only at college because every job I'm interested in says they won't even consider me if I don't have a BA.
So now I'm going into debt so I can be employed. The system is bullshit.
i'm in college... but i don't know why?
i think college is one BIG annoy step that anyone has to take to even get a slight glimpse of success (whatever that may be as a profession).
@nachtmerrie@xanga - Hooray! College should be limited to those who want to learn, but sadly, too many people seem to be there because it was the thing to do.
They can't see past the degree, nor that there are viable and profitable jobs in the trade sector. I acquired 169 college credit hours by changing my major too many times on my way to an AAS in CIS. The learning was great, but no degree is worth six figure debt.
Let me suggest what was suggested to me in the 70s. Work a year before college and make sure you know what you want to do. I neglected to take his advice, but I wish I had. It might have saved me a few thousand dollars.
@dorkettex3@xanga - 100% agree.