Santorum is right; college is overrated

Ventura County Star ^ | 02/27/2012 | By Eric Ingemunson

[bearkat]

I have a college degree and I’m not a snob and I wasn’t indoctrinated... I’m as conservative as you can get. That was the route I chose... to each his own.

I wouldn’t have gotten the fabulous job I have now if I didn’t have my degree. I work for a conservative, family-friendly company for conservative people. It’s my dream job.

It all depends on WHERE you go to college. I went to a state school here in Texas that I didn’t go deep into debt for. On my first day my history professor told us to return our history books because he wasn’t going to use it. He taught us REAL history. My geology professor had styrofoam rocks he’d throw at the sleeping morons in the back of the class. I had a wonderful,unforgettable experience that I would do all over again. No regrets.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: College is over-rated mainly in that the first two years of a 4 year degree is “general education”

Why can’t we have this “general education” in the last 2 years of high school?

[weston]

So Santorum (a lawyer) whose mother was a college graduate and made sure her kids had higher education, thinks Obama is the snob? Obama is a snob, but Rick’s nose can sometimes be stuck up too.

[FourPeas]

I’d say the depends on the eye of the beholder.

[Tallguy]

I’m a Santorum guy, but will gladly vote for Newt if he gets it.

Romney should have gotten the message by now. He isn’t loved by the rank & file GOP. He’ll generate about as much enthusiasm as McCain did.

[justlurking]

College isn't over-rated, IF:

• You learn a marketable skill, that pays well, has job security, and requires a college degree.
• You don't pay more for college than the skill is worth.
• You can afford it, or someone else is willing to pay for it.
• You have the aptitude and desire to learn, instead of partying.

If you can't meet these prerequisites, then college is a waste of time and money.

There are plenty of jobs that don't require college. Some of them are dead-end jobs. But, there are many that aren't. The last requirement listed above also applies if you want to advance in any career.

I'll also note that "someone else willing to pay for it" isn't necessarily your parents, or a scholarship. If you have the aptitude and desire, it's not difficult to find an employer that is willing to pay your college tuition. But, you first have to demonstrate to them that you are worth the investment.

However, college is NOT an entitlement. That kind of attitude is what has created another "bubble" in higher education. Just like the relaxation of mortgage underwriting standards led to a bubble in house prices, the widespread availability of guaranteed student loans have created a bubble in university tuition.

As usual, government meddling in the market has had unintended consequences that are worse than the original "problem".

[mel]

OMG, i somehow clicked on your profile and saw that darling cute red dog. how adoreable.
You know angels are real and some even have fur

[Vasilli22]

“The world needs ditch diggers too.” - Judge Smells

[SeekAndFind]

RE: “The world needs ditch diggers too.” - Judge Smells

Pretty soon, they’ll be replaced with machines (made in China), Judge Smells.

[Antoninus]

Based on what I've seen, about 10% of kids who go to college go there because they are academically gifted. Another 40% go because they have a plan for life and want to educate themselves to achieve it. Another 20% go because they are expected to by their parental units and the last 30% go because they have no other idea of what to do with themselves and going to college seems like a good way to "figure things out".

Making it easier for that last 30% to generate a mountain of debt that they will never be able to pay off is a pretty bad idea in my opinion.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

College has descended from “over-rated” to a complete joke.

Why?

1) Little of value is taught.

2) Colleges dropped classical logic, yet claim to teach “critical thinking skills.”

3) Teaching is more like indoctrination.

4) Because they receive a graduation certificate, students think themselves wise, when they are fools.

5) Students learn lifetime vices, like cheating, fornication, drug use, laziness, etc.

6) Students lose 4 years of earnings.

7) And people pay for this abuse.

As a genX author recently said, college is a bar with a 20-grand cover charge.

[trisham]

Thank you, mel. :)

[luckystarmom]

Are you an Aggie?

[gnickgnack2]

Bingo. At my first college, I was initially passed out of Math 101 because I’d had advanced algebra and calculus in high school. Suddenly in my fourth semester, I got notice that I was required to take a five credit math course...either starting at calculus and onward, or one starting at sets and roman numerals. Really?...second grade math in college?

[bearkat]

Nope, I’m a former Sam Houston State Bearkat who is still proud to wear orange!!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Well, i'ts a start. ;-) That's the least I could hope for.

PS If you know me, I don't respond to the "guilt card". Especially when I am right. Thanks for playing, though.

[trisham]

If you knew me, you’d know that I’m not playing.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Fine. Thank you for your input.