should you go to college?

[Wiggles92]

My high school also cover tuition for student to take core classes for dual credit at local community college to get a jump start. We have 3 students getting associates this year. Our grad class is only 41 students. We have a large number who will have save by taking their credits with them. Our state schools have also worked out an agreement so that most of the credits, if not all will transfer.

Sounds similar to the high school that I graduated from: I graduated first out of a class of around 50 students, and the high had offered some dual-enrollment opportunities in partnership with local community colleges a few years prior to graduation and continues to expand the available options.

Did I take any of said dual-enrollment classes? Nope. I was told by many of my teachers to not waste my time since the credits wouldn't transfer to any of the colleges that I was applying to; colleges that they said that I surely could get accepted to with no trouble at all considering my grades and standardized test scores. The end result? All of these colleges they recommended said, "No," and I ended up going with my fourth choice out of five which I have since left for multiple reasons...

So, yes, I think college seems to be very much overrated and expensive if you don't get the right fit for your major and college the first time. However, I'm still going to enroll again at a different college soon because I finally figured out what I want to do after going through three majors and one and two-thirds years at my previous college (we were on quarters). By the way, does anyone know of any colleges with a good program in Ichthyology (or a related major) or at least a good fish lab?

In the end, I think that college is worth it, but it's frustrating as heck when you don't get the right fit at first and don't realize it until it's a bit too late to switch easily.

Sorry for that being kind of a rant, but I needed to vent about it at some point and this seemed to appropriate and related discussion.

 

[studd muffin]

You should pursue a college degree only if you are passionate about a certain field and willing to commit, something which doesn't happen very often at an early age. If not, it's better to wait or do something else instead of wasting money. I believe this pursuit requires full attention (going to school and working at the same time is not exactly the ideal scenario).
In my experience, one of the biggest benefits of going to college , beside the degree itself, was being around intelligent, articulate people of the same age, which helps your intellectual growth as an individual.

This^

 

[Ash]

It really depends. I went for a degree because I already knew what I wanted to do and what classes I needed to take. While I did end up switching majors it was still in the same general field and all of my classes still counted so it was not a big deal. I hopefully will be graduating at the end of the year. Anyways for me it was worth it. Any job that I am even remotely interested in at minimum requires a B.S. degree so if I want a job in my field then I need some sort of science degree. I think a lot of it depends on what you want to do, where you want to go and how passionate you are about what you are doing. I am passionate about what I am doing and I am still learning a lot and have had some awesome experiences in college, educational once, not social (I am no social butterfly). I have also met a few great people who I can have a conversation with and they will not get lost, which is always nice. Even if I don't get a job right away or the job that I would prefer or don't use my degree I def. will not regret going to college, for me it was my best decision. Then again I am in that really broke 30%, so I don't have financial debt stress over school (knock on wood). I do agree that It is expensive and it can rape you of your $$ fast. College is not meant for everyone though. I have friends who did not go to college and still have a decent job and are happy, and happiness is what I personally believe counts. I am not going for a degree for the money, I am doing it because I want a job that I am interested in and that I will enjoy. Money does not buy happiness (at least not for most). I would go with what you feel is right, what you want to do and what will make you happy. If college is not for you, then don't go. Only you will know the real answer.

 

[Philafari]

College... been to 4, Now I'm working on a degree. Chestnut Hill College, Universidad de Barcelona, MONTCO (community) and now Drexel University.

Find what you want to do, seek and destroy. If someone had told me that id prob only have gone to one, and none of the ones I have.

"Money isn't real, George. It doesn't matter. It only seems like it does." -Blow

 

[cyberwaste]

i love the feedback...

 

[Kaosu]

to bad some people don't have the option to go to collage.

no money and my parents made to 'much' money both being self employed to allow me to get finical aid ..and no chances on lones.

so some people just get screwed.

Had big plans for collage...moving up and what not but. its hard when i just get the middle finger from any one i try to go for help, to top it off there are next to no jobs in my area, the one i did find pays so little its a joke.

 

[chrisngo]

College is a good choice if you are ready for it. HS diploma's no longer cut it.

I agree with many on this forum that the cost of college is getting ridiculous. I went to college in 96-02 (yes super senior status) and I remember it was about $2000 a year. That was at San Diego State Univ and I graduated with a degree in Electrical Eng. I was able to secure a good job which is now paying for my Master's degree. My job has me doing everything but designing cool things. It's ok though, it pays well and the benefits are great.

College is something I encourage everyone to do as long as they know what they are getting into in the real world after college. That means they are not entitled to a great career that pays $65k immediately with full benefits. Everything must be worked for and you have to be willing to climb the ladder, just like they in college.

Chris

 

[Clay]

I dropped out of college to start my own business. you dont need a degree when your, your own boss =)

You don't need a degree when you're your own boss. Fixed!

 

[Wiggles92]

to bad some people don't have the option to go to collage.

no money and my parents made to 'much' money both being self employed to allow me to get finical aid ..and no chances on lones.

so some people just get screwed.

Had big plans for collage...moving up and what not but. its hard when i just get the middle finger from any one i try to go for help, to top it off there are next to no jobs in my area, the one i did find pays so little its a joke.

Ouch, you really got screwed.

To be honest, I think that the U.S. education system (K-12, college, and all) is completely screwed up especially when it is compared to the education systems of many other countries that used to be considered to be inferior to the U.S. in the realm of education. Some people may still say that they are inferior; these people are definitely living in the past for sure. We wouldn't have quite so many problems regarding financial aid, funding, quality of the coursework, etc. if the education system were to get the overhaul that it needed to get up to par with other superior education systems.

 

[cyberwaste]

to bad some people don't have the option to go to collage.

no money and my parents made to 'much' money both being self employed to allow me to get finical aid ..and no chances on lones.

so some people just get screwed.

Had big plans for collage...moving up and what not but. its hard when i just get the middle finger from any one i try to go for help, to top it off there are next to no jobs in my area, the one i did find pays so little its a joke.

this happens so much more then anyone realizes... i kind a feel luckky being able to move to des moines from a smalller town.