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0 pointslaughfactory9y ago0 comments

You're right on the money. In fact, I'd argue that almost no one is smart enough (or wise enough) to only borrow what they really need. I went to college when I was 30. I thought I was smart. I knew that new graduates typically make, maybe, $40K. Yet, I signed up for the full boat...taking every last cent they'd loan me. Consequently, my wife and I are now $250K in debt--and have just bachelor's degrees (plus incomplete master's degrees). Sigh. So much for being so smart.

Basically, I've come to the conclusion that college is not for all. We would be wise to get behind technical schools, and community colleges, and save the university for those pursuing subjects like medicine, science, math, law, etc. At a minimum we should change the paradigm of college--from being an "experience" (parties, socializing, sports), to academics. Getting rid of school sponsored sports would vastly change the perception of college. Plus, we should make it harder to graduate. Require a 3.0, and have controls in place to ensure grades don't inflate to enable everyone to achieve the new minimum. Basically, college should be 100% for learning. Sure, you'll still have friends, go to the occasional party, but on the whole you're only there to learn and do things you couldn't learn or do elsewhere. Right now it's almost day care for 20-somethings. This would also necessitate dropping easy programs and majors. Not that there isn't a place for the arts, but is a four year degree in English or Art History really a good idea?

But yeah, I've noticed the same thing: the more we incentivize people to go to college by way of grants and loans, the more expensive it gets. When was college cheapest? When there was virtually no aid/loans available to anyone, and a much smaller percentage of people went to college.

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aquadrop9y ago

> But yeah, I've noticed the same thing: the more we incentivize people to go to college by way of grants and loans, the more expensive it gets

But it gets more expensive for those who don't have grants. Maybe that's the problem - too few grants? What if colleges were required by law to enroll one 'free' student per each paying student? It would make it more expensive for paid students, but also will create large pool of bright students to compete for free spots.

ryuker169y ago

250k? you got scammed bro

chronic6l9y ago

> Basically, I've come to the conclusion that college is not for all.

Of course college is not for all. It is not something everyone just "does" because of "jobs". High schoolers and college students feel entitled. The vast majority should not be in college nor do they need a college education. If you are an 18-20 year old and cannot see this, then you sure as hell should not be in college.

Intellectual exploration? Community college is good enough. Parents taking $40K/year loans for tuition/rent for your private or flagship state university? Majoring in humanities? Ha. Go ask those graduates if college was worth it.

aninhumer9y ago

Well sure, it's easy to say that in hindsight, but that's not what these students were told growing up.

A generation was told that if they got into university and did well, they'd get much better jobs and be set for life. And it's easy to understand why, because this was true for their parents' generation. Educated employees were in much shorter supply, and thus in a much better position to capture the increased wealth of a booming economy.

Is it any wonder people feel entitled when they were told constantly that they would be rewarded for what they were doing?

jonlucc9y ago

One problem, though, is that many students whose loans are becoming problematic were in school during the financial trouble leading up to 2008 and 2009. During that recession, people without degrees had negative growth in jobs (job loss), while college degree-holders dropped nearly to zero, but did not actually go negative. Associate degree-holders were almost half-way between other the two. Of course, it's great to tell students that they should strongly consider the trades or other paths, but the reality is that those careers are less safe in economic downturns.

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