Another great Post article re: college admissions

[Anonymous]

Don't know if anyone saw this in last Sunday's paper, but it's an excellent article about the rat race to gain admission to college and how sad it is that things have gotten this bad.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/april-madness-the-problem-with-american-college-admissions/2014/03/21/edbd974e-adf9-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't know if anyone saw this in last Sunday's paper, but it's an excellent article about the rat race to gain admission to college and how sad it is that things have gotten this bad.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/april-madness-the-problem-with-american-college-admissions/2014/03/21/edbd974e-adf9-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html

Hear, Hear!

[Anonymous]

the european system is better. I would've liked it more and my children would like it more.

[Anonymous]

I think too many people are going to college. I would prefer a system like in canada where if you can't pass a test you go to trade school.

[Anonymous]

We also need to help our society explain that there is no point in getting into Harvard if you are doing a worthless degree. It would be better to go to a state school and get a STEM degree. We need to look at college in ROI not prestige douchebagery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also need to help our society explain that there is no point in getting into Harvard if you are doing a worthless degree. It would be better to go to a state school and get a STEM degree. We need to look at college in ROI not prestige douchebagery.

So what we need are 100% of college grads to be STEM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also need to help our society explain that there is no point in getting into Harvard if you are doing a worthless degree. It would be better to go to a state school and get a STEM degree. We need to look at college in ROI not prestige douchebagery.

this is totally wrong.

I know too many HYPS english, history, art history majors that were recruited by top Banks and Consultancies with superb pay and exit options.

Unless my child was a programming or stem prodigy (no not getting 5's on calc bc of physics e/m AP) but winning intel fairs or International Math Olympiad or was innately driven to become a doctor I would send to Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We also need to help our society explain that there is no point in getting into Harvard if you are doing a worthless degree. It would be better to go to a state school and get a STEM degree. We need to look at college in ROI not prestige douchebagery.

this is totally wrong.

I know too many HYPS english, history, art history majors that were recruited by top Banks and Consultancies with superb pay and exit options.

Unless my child was a programming or stem prodigy (no not getting 5's on calc bc of physics e/m AP) but winning intel fairs or International Math Olympiad or was innately driven to become a doctor I would send to Harvard.

Would your18-year-old child have any say in the matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the european system is better. I would've liked it more and my children would like it more.

The grass is always greener. there is no "European system". Each country has its own educational traditions and way of doing things. some don't have public HS yet.

[Anonymous]

Great link. Thanks.
Also noted the comments from a prof, citing her students' always looking for permission and fear of taking risks.

[Anonymous]

The Dutch system has them take a test when they are 12 to see if they will go to college and 80% are sent on the trade school path. That is crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also need to help our society explain that there is no point in getting into Harvard if you are doing a worthless degree. It would be better to go to a state school and get a STEM degree. We need to look at college in ROI not prestige douchebagery.

You make it sound like "return on investment" only involves salaries and not developing your mind or following your passion. These things aren't quantifiable, but they certainly have value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We also need to help our society explain that there is no point in getting into Harvard if you are doing a worthless degree. It would be better to go to a state school and get a STEM degree. We need to look at college in ROI not prestige douchebagery.

So what we need are 100% of college grads to be STEM?

+100 So tired of the push for STEM grads.