Rethinking sending kids to college

[Anonymous]

Playing into the hands of people who want an uneducated citizenry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My takeaway as a parent reading this book was that there are so many other options besides 4-year college that can lead to really prestigious and satisfying careers. Starting in elementary school, the drum beat for college starts. I wish my kids had access and information about more of these paths so they could make an educated plan for what's best for their goals.

like what? And do those "satisfying careers" pay well enough to live a comfortable life in a hcol area like the DMV?

I'm not against trade school. I actually told DD to maybe look into some tech trade schools, and she said no. She is not academically minded, though she has above average stats, but she still wants to go to college and get a degree.

People can live very happily outside HCOL areas like the DMV!

[Anonymous]

"Rethinking" can mean many things! College is a worthy goal, but the fixation on top 20 schools is just silly. We should "rethink" why hollow rankings mean so much to us (me included -- I am working hard to disentangle myself from this damaging messaging).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS won the Thiel's award, and he did not go to college. He got accepted to Northwestern, Michigan, Duke, UNC, CMU, but he turned them down and went to San Diego to work for a start-up. He thinks college is a waste of time for him. I think he will turn out fine without going to college.

congratulations to him, but 99% of people aren't going to work for startups by Thiel. The vast majority of people will never become tech bros earning crazy money.

-someone who has worked in high tech like FAANGs for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Rethinking" can mean many things! College is a worthy goal, but the fixation on top 20 schools is just silly. We should "rethink" why hollow rankings mean so much to us (me included -- I am working hard to disentangle myself from this damaging messaging).

agreed. I think a college degree is the way out of poverty for most, but it doesn't have to be a T20.

I went to a no name state u, and I've been umc for decades. I went the practical route, though, because I come from a l/mc family.

[Anonymous]

Yeah. As someone who grew up in a high-pressure area where there was a suicide epidemic blamed at least in part on academic pressure, I am critical of the college feeding frenzy -- but also have a hard time resisting the drumbeat of "top 20" because it was drilled into me from such a young age. But then I think of the kids I knew who were truly miserable with parents who lived through them and try to remain centered.

[Anonymous]

I highly encourage you to do this, OP.


Less competition for the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

I didn't talk my kids into anything, the decision was theirs. One went to college, and one went through a plumbing apprenticeship program. Both are thriving and happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't talk my kids into anything, the decision was theirs. One went to college, and one went through a plumbing apprenticeship program. Both are thriving and happy.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a GOP talking point.

Joe Rogan and others think people should not go to college because they want an uneducated and easy-to-control workforce.

Meanwhile, Hannity sends his own kids to T20 schools. They are all "college for me and my kids but not for you!" Then, they say you can make $100K at Chipotle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a GOP talking point.

Joe Rogan and others think people should not go to college because they want an uneducated and easy-to-control workforce.

Meanwhile, Hannity sends his own kids to T20 schools. They are all "college for me and my kids but not for you!" Then, they say you can make $100K at Chipotle.

+1 Rs want a ruling class of educated elites, and a dumb masses to control.

[Anonymous]

"The world needs ditch diggers too"
-Judge Emails

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The world needs ditch diggers too"
-Judge Smails

[Anonymous]

You do realize the difference in life time earnings between HS educated and college educated?

Make sure you do all the research. Not just the one book. Think critically about this and invite your kids to do the same. Perhaps college is not right for them, but then again, maybe it is. How will they know if they don’t try?

I was a first gen college student. Yes my parents were born in the US and generations before them. They were beyond proud to give me an education that they did not have. One of my parents is MAGA. Sending all 3 of our kids to college for highly skilled professions is a priority for us.