Max Stadnyk wrote:Should i go to college is the wrong question; yes entirely the wrong question when there are so many better questions. Start with - Why should I go to college. And if your answer is to get a degree; that is the wrong answer. Now continue asking questions until you are exhausted.
The goal is self mastery, and the paths are myriad and personal. It is no more complicated than that.
I agree with you that going to college just to get that sheepskin is probably not the right question. but the decision is not always elitist. Some kids who are not sure what they want to do next and whose goals make going to college necessary may opt to go there.
For them, that makes more sense than just grabbing a job to get money right away. For others, who may be in a dire situation, making money may be their only option. The particular talents that a person has are a big part. Some kids are just better with their hands. My husband is great at taking a gun apart and fixing it, even if he has little prior knowledge of that model. I'm happy I don't live in a society where excellence in math is a top priority for example: I would probably have been stuck in a more menial job because I really suck at math [and business]. Make the best of what you have to achieve happiness.
Also, consider this from the APLU:
"The earnings gap between college graduates and those with less education continues to widen. In 2021, median income for recent graduates reached $52,000 a year for bachelor's degree holders aged 22–27. For high school graduates the same age, median earnings are $30,000 a year".
While the goal may be self mastery,[and part of it certainly is], finding out what you are good at and enjoy doing is much better. I once told my kids: "To me, it does not matter what job/ profession you choose
provided you are happy doing it".
It really depends on what
their goal is, and as a parent, you just want to make sure they have one.
There are some goals that are not achievable without a college degree [Doctor, Teacher, Brain Surgeon] . For those, yes, it makes sense to go for it.
Through all this, we are not addressing the elephant in the room, so to speak: Higher Education has become so expensive as to be a barrier, even to the gifted/ talented, and kids have to get in heavy debt, a debt that cannot be discharged through bankruptcy [unlike all other debts].
Please read on:
https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/history-of-student-loans-bankruptcy-discharge#:~:text=Seven%20years%20later%2C%20in%202005,Prevention%20and%20Consumer%20Protection%20Act.
The various laws that were passed makes it impossible to discharge through bankruptcy. Some students are now old enough that their Social Security checks are garnished! That should not happen in a free country, and these laws should be amended to allow bankruptcy
as a last resort.
When I was taking college classes in my native country [France], tuition cost $55.00 at the Sorbonne in Paris.
That was for a whole year, not just a semester ! [I'm talking about the 60s]. Things have changed a great deal, but the point is that a system can be devised that works for all at an affordable price. Books, lodging and food were on top of that, but it was definitely very affordable. We had large classes, but at an age when you are supposed to be self motivated, that was OK: If you didn't study, you failed. That was fair.
Having to have a full time job just so you can afford college without getting into unsurmountable debt is NOT fair. But that is largely a political decision that should be addressed by Congress. Most of us are unfortunately not in a position to effect changes.