Is College for Everyone?

"You won't get anywhere without your education." We hear this refrain from the time we are in elementary school. This may be true, but is college for everyone? More and more individuals are enrolling in two and four year post-secondary schools, but why? Often, a desire for learning is not what drives students to attend college. Factors that determine reasons for attending college vary from personal to professional. These factors are the key to our discussion.

There is no doubt that education is important. There is also no doubt that every person has the right to an education. However, not every person should attend college. There are too many students enrolled in school that simply don't belong there. Though drop-out rates vary, it is estimated that in the US, approximately 50% of students who begin college never graduate. There exist students who are not yet ready for the academic and financial challenges of college. There exist students who do not have the desire for college or learning. Some students may be better suited for a different type of education, if any.

The student who is not yet ready for the academic and financial challenges of college is the most common. While the cost of college can be offset by grants, scholarships and work-study programs, too many students find themselves in desperate financial situations by the end of their first semester. The cost of books can run several hundred dollars per semester. There are living expenses that students may not have planned for, including the cost of food, rent, gasoline, spending money and supplies other than books. Students find themselves working full time jobs while attending school full time, and their minds, bodies and grades end up suffering. While it may take a while longer to graduate, many students who find themselves in a position where they must work may do better to drop themselves to part time student status, taking fewer classes. This lowers the cost of education each semester (though requires a longer term commitment) and increases the chances of classroom success. There is more time to dedicate to coursework without overloading and over-scheduling. Perhaps, certain individuals should consider a different life choice, as the long term responsibility of repaying student loans can be overwhelming. However, the best financial planning in the world will not prepare a student for the academic challenges that await them.

Believe it or not, there are students who can not read attending college. While this is an extreme case, it is symptomatic of the problems with the idea that "college is for everyone." If college is for everyone, why do we rely on SAT scores and high school transcripts? Why doesn't every school have an open admissions policy? Quite simply, because not everyone should attend college. If an individual is unable to read, they benefit more from a literacy program than a college course. There are also plenty of literate students who are not up for the challenge. They may have graduated from a high school that did not expect much from them, academically. They may not have the maturity necessary to dedicate themselves to the coursework. For many, this is the first time they have had personal freedom and responsibility without their parents. They aren't necessarily prepared to be 'grown ups' yet. College prep courses don't often teach students about being responsible. Teaching responsibility and time and stress management may prepare some students for their college experience, but many will still fall victim to their first taste of 'freedom.'

"C's get degrees." One of my own students said this to me when inquiring about his progress this semester. Unfortunately, this is an all too common mentality among college students. There is no real desire for learning. Students are 'going through the motions' to earn their degrees, hoping to settle into a comfortable job that will pay them well because that 'C degree' hangs on their wall. Motivating students to learn is the biggest challenge most educators face. While it may be possible to ignite a spark in some, most students who don't wish to learn simply won't learn. What good is there, then, in attending college? None. What happens when this type of student enters the workforce? Do they exhibit the same lack of motivation in their careers? If so, what type of value is actually attached to that degree?

Once upon a time, college was a place you went when you wished to learn. Now, college is the place you go when you want to get a good job, or appease your parents, or because you are 'finding yourself.' While admissions representatives and administration share some of the blame (college is a business, after all), it is important to examine other reasons why students who don't belong in college end up there anyway. Students and parents need to examine their options. Is it really going to benefit you (or your child) to attend college? What other options exist? Is a trade school the best option? Perhaps allowing yourself to take a year or two to carefully consider who you are and what you want will save you time and money, and better prepare you should you decide to attend college. Society, too, plays a part in pushing students into college classrooms. We need to start distinguishing between the right to an education, and the benefit of an education. College does not benefit everyone. Not everyone should attend college. It is ok to say this! It is ok to believe this! You are not putting anyone down by saying these things. You may be doing them a favor by letting them know that it is ok not to attend college. Higher education is not the key to happiness and success for every person.

Many people have found happiness in careers that do not require a college education. If we continue to tell everyone to acquire a college degree, we lessen the pool of people who will do the jobs that keep our world running smoothly. There are jobs that do not require a college education. Some work can be learned on the job, or from a trade school. We need fork lift drivers, factory workers, sales clerks and cashiers. What would we do without tractor-trailer drivers, mail carriers and construction workers? Refuse to accept the political correctness that says all of our citizens should receive a higher education. Embrace the reality that college is not for everyone.