Should college students have a say in their academic preferences? College students are juveniles and, yes, can be indecisive about their choices, but nobody knows them better than themselves. In other words, the idea of college students getting to choose their curriculum is serious. Even though teenagers only know what is amusing, they should be able to have an opinion on what their future classes will be since students may drop out if forced to take a class that doesn 't suit their upcoming career path and plus they will be paying for courses that can be irrelevant to their desired major and the expense of tuition can result in debt.
Lots of people would not trust a teenager to put together choices that will affect their career life in
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So they should be the ones to choose their courses. In By Spending’s perspective, “One reason why college students should be allowed to pick their own classes is so they can take the classes that they are interested in or classes that they excel in.” The basis of By Spending’s argument is that why should anyone else besides the student themselves pick the classes for the student if only the student knows their interests. A course or subject should not be forced upon them if it doesn’t have anything to do with their general education or major. Allowing the adolescents to have complete freedom to choose their own modules will help them in different jobs. By Spending says, “If they chose to take it in college, it will help them with their new job.” In other words, if the class they chose did not proceed with their major it could benefit them in their future job and the class will pay off. (By Spending).
In addition, college in general is expensive. As claimed again by Garfield Gates, “Tuition costs are rising at alarmingly high rates. Add to that the cost of housing, meals, supplies, transportation, and textbooks, and you have a recipe for unmanageable debt.” The basis of Garfield Gates’s argument is that students are dropping out owing to the fact that they can not afford their education while others are forced to try to manage full academic schedules with full-time jobs to be able to survive another year. “Juggling a job, 15 to 18 credits, relationships,
While this is often true, it can create problems when a student does not have the money to pay for a quality education. The cost of college has risen an estimated 250-500% over the last 30 years while consumer price index has only increased by 115 percent during the same time frame (White, 2015; Eskow, 2014). The amount of student loan debt is increasing, along with the cost of college. The income of many young people today cannot keep up with the rising costs of college education and housing. Part of the problem with student loan debt begins when students choose to attend a college that exceeds their financial resources and rely on federal student loans as well as private student loans to make up the difference. Eskow found that even public colleges and universities are becoming difficult to pay for without taking out student loans often averaging $30,000 for tuition, room, and board (2014). Since many people do not have enough money to cover college education expenses, they rely on student loans, both federal and private, to fill the gap. Financial advisor Ramsey stated that often the loans students take out pay “for an off-campus standard of living, and no debt was needed to get the degree” (2013). “The Project on Student Debt reported in 2013 over ⅔ graduating seniors were leaving school with student loans” averaging approximately $28,400 (White, 2015). Taking on almost $30,000 in debt before even starting a career can have a significant impact. It can force people to get a job just to pay off the student loans, not based on what they got an education for prepared for or what they studied. This also can cause a setback in future plans, having to delay many adult milestones due to lack of
Economic pressure for college students has increased extremely since Zinsser wrote his essay. Back then school at Yale University was only around seven thousand, while in today 's society that would not even cover community college. The prices for higher education has skyrocketed due to the fact that it is now nearly impossible to get a stable job without higher degrees. Now students not only have to worry about getting a good career in something they really want to do, they have to worry about the money. Before their career even starts they will have to worry about paying back that never ending debt. Many people will take years and some may not ever be able to pay off all of
Another point that Ms. Bird makes is that the colleges do not want to interfere with a student’s life (Bird 17). I agree with this analysis. They expect college students to take full responsibility for their lives in addition to acting like adults. Furthermore, by the time students get to college they should be acting with maturity. Like my daughter, some students have not come to terms with the idea of being an independent adult yet. Maturity is a major factor
College is a dream that almost every American wants to come true, however, with the extreme rise in the costs of tuition it is a dream that has quickly turned into a nightmare. “Tuition at a private university is now roughly three times as expensive as it was in 1974, costing an average of $31,000 a year; public tuition, at $9,000, has risen nearly four times,” (Davidson). “For the average American household that doesn 't receive a lot of financial aid, higher education is simply out of reach,” (Davidson). That is why many students have begun questioning the worth of a college degree and if the amount of debt that is received upon exiting college is all for the better. And considering that costs have risen much faster than the rate of inflation, many are starting to believe that college just isn 't necessary any more. However, according to White, economically, the answer would still be a yes. “While unemployment rates for new grads and experienced workers alike have fluctuated throughout the recession and recovery, the earnings premium that college-and advanced-degree holders enjoy over their peers who didn 't attend college has remained relatively stable, and in some instances, grown, according to the report that was released this week,” (White). A study was shown that many college grads are able to get earnings that are significantly higher than those who did not get enough education or only hold a high school diploma (White). Even
In 1976, the average cost to attend a four year public university was $2,175; today, the average cost to attend a four year public university is $25,000 (Snyder). This means it is 1150% more expensive to go to college in The United States today than it was 30 years ago. This obviously would create a problem on how we as people are going to pay for our higher education. Today college has become almost a necessity to have a satisfactory life, and with these rising prices some individuals believe student loans are the only option. There are many reasons as to why the prices have risen, but the one undeniable fact is that this has created a problem within our country. Which, is known as the student debt crisis, and it has been on the rise the past couple years. This problem is affecting people all around the United States, and is causing multitude of problems for them all because they wanted to pursue higher education. Wanting to better your opportunities by bettering yourself is not something that needs to be punished, and sadly that is what is happening. This problem is something that needs to be fixed for the sake of Americans and our economy, but will also take time and a multitude of steps to correct.
The increased costs of tuition and fees are making it more difficult for individuals to attend college, and they are being forced to drop out, having a major impact on graduation rates. Data stated that was stated in FACT SHEET on the President’s Plan to Make College More Affordable: A , Better Bargain for the Middle Class (2015), “The average tuition at a public four-year college has increased by more than 250 percent over the past three decades, while incomes for typical families grew by only 16 percent” (“Fact Sheet”, 2015). This is causing major stress and becoming a burden on the finances of the student and their families. In order to attend college, a large percentage of students will have borrow money because of
Amherst College, Coolidge’s alma mater, now costs a good $64,000, eight times larger than the cost in 1891 of $8,000. With this, undergraduate students, on average, leave college with around $30,000 in student loan debt. According to Bloomberg, college tuition and fees have increased 1,120 percent since records began in 1978. Despite the high rate of change with regards to tuition, medical expenses have only risen 601 percent and the price of food has increased 244 percent. Along with the high financial toll of college, it seems as though many of those who attend college aren’t fully committed to it. 54% of all Americans who enroll into college eventually become dropouts and, according to Bloomberg, these dropouts make up a quarter of America’s richest people.
Families are now aiming low when it comes to college- or are simply not going at all. Money could play a huge part in this decision- after all, the cost of college has skyrocketed over the years, and so has the amount of student loan debt. This is something even Leonhardt admits, stating that, because of this, only about 33 percent of young adults get a four-year college degree today, while another 10 percent receive a two-year degree (Leonhardt). And even though many colleges offer financial aid packages, that money may soon be cut and the cost of college will continue to grow. It is true that, in my personal experience, just because a student is awarded financial aid does not mean they have a golden ticket to University. This leaves many desperate students the only option of taking out as many loans as they think they can handle- often more than they should. Debt is not a new issue for America, but it is still a problem. Although David Autor, an M.I.T. economist, laments: “not sending [young adults] to college would be a disaster”, no one can ignore the rising rates of loan defaults, and some think it
As adolescents begin their senior year, the topic of college often runs without hindrance, often causing extreme stress. As the monetary value, as well as the time spent, begins to accumulate in their minds, students often find themselves bound at the wrists figuring out a way to balance as well as afford college living. In many cases, the upcoming graduates are unsure about their career path, almost enhancing their stress in choosing a school that would cater to their needs. It is almost then they begin to ponder whether or not University/college life is for them, which is could be an extremely advantageous shot in a, for example, high achieving family. Whilst college does allow for a plethora of doors to be opened, the lack of time, effort, and money can hinder one 's ability to properly choose a university. Though school can help with the stepping stones of life, they do not entirely ensure a proper future, therefore many may opt out of school; however, with the correct actions, they may turn out extremely successful, which may not have even happened without the release of the burden of school.
Many students have aspirations about attending the college of their dreams, but many people lack financial support and are not able to go because of high tuition payments, such as housing, and other college expenses. U.S. Student Loans Debt Statistics for 2017 indicate that “the cost of attending college is becoming a growing burden for a huge portion of Americans.” (Student Loan Hero). Students are left with the option of dropping and leaving school. Even after receiving some financial support, such as scholarships and grants, students have limited amount of money to pay off their expenses. At the start of their college career, students apply for the colleges they would like to go to, and many forget about the financial decision that is required to pay for college. “A 2010 study on more than 200,000 freshmen at four-year colleges, more students rated themselves as below average in emotional health than ever before. The financial stress of worrying about their college loans and whether they’ll find a job after college and the day to day stress of making decisions for themselves in all aspects of their lives.” (Allianz). Unfortunately, freshman students are the main group of college students that go through financial conflicts, leading to stress about how to pay for college. Some students choose to work their way through college. “Others decide they’d rather be making money working full time than pursuing a costly degree. Still others become discouraged at the prospect of incurring loan debt” (College View). According to Public Agenda, “Work is the top reason young adults give for not returning to college once they leave. More than a third (36 percent) of those who left school say that even if they had a grant that fully paid for tuition
Statistics exhibit that majority of people are unable to pay for their further education. Pew Social and Demographic Trends state, “A majority of Americans (57%) say the higher education system in the United States fails to provide students with a good value for the money they and their families spend.” Tuition rates for colleges hyperbolizes its values comparatively to the money families spend. It also proclaims, “An even larger majority- 75%- says college is too expensive for most Americans to afford.” College snatch away the money of American families at a value too high and too much for the average family to spend. Not only does college seize the money many family don’t have to begin with, but it forces families to go into debt. Working extreme hours and trying to pay for college wearies the family’s way of living. According to Pew Social and Demographic Trends, “A record share of students are leaving college with a substantial debt burden… about half say that paying off that debt made it harder to pay other bills… about a quarter say it has had an impact on their career choices.” Debts triggers a person to change their profession and causes hardships to their life in the future. High tuition rates and debts stir students away from college and jobs that they truly want. College acquire families money at an
Within the introduction, Murray states that, “More people should be going to college, not fewer. Yes and no” (Murray 235). Before he respond to his own question, he approach the problem first by looking at the big picture. He examines the statistics of the financial situations regarding college as well as the competence of potential students. Murray pointed out that students may have different intellectual level, so that they should choose course on their free will. In fact, students need to learn things other than planned curriculum, because they might be learning something that they have
For some people college does not seem to cost an arm and a leg, but to most people “Tuition numbers can be eye-popping, and student debt has increased significantly” (Leonhardt). Money is normally the main reason that people do not go to college. Most Americans do not go to college because “College is too expensive for most Americans to afford” (Pew). College is not cheap. College is so expensive that many “students are leaving college with a substantial debt burden” (Pew). People can have debt from college for many years. College is very expensive.
Moreover, most students who rush into college unprepared end up incurring debt and dropping out without a degree- eventually becoming worse off than those who didn’t go to college at all. Over 54% of Americans who enroll in college eventually drop out (Mian). College is difficult enough as it is for those who are motivated and excited to be there, so for people who don’t really want to be there, it is almost impossible. It makes little sense for anybody to attend a university unless they are fully committed to getting a college education, especially when you consider the average cost of tuition for a four-year college. According to College Board, the average cost of college tuition and fees per year range from $8,893-$30,094, and this number is only rising. This doesn’t take into account room and board which, according to ranges from $9,500-$10,830 per year. In sum, a four-year college education could cost you $80,000-$160,000 leaving students with thousands of dollars in debt if they drop out or even if they graduate (CollegeData EFC Calcuator). Rising costs and declining benefits mean the rate of return on a college investment is starting to fall for many
It is a well known fact but there are many people including counselors, parents, teachers, and friends who resist saying it out loud for fear it will sound like discouragement and negativity: college is definitely not for everyone. The pressure on high schools students, especially those that excel, to attend a college or university is enormous. And in the case of a bright, industrious and motivated high school student, attending a college or university is an obvious career choice. For those students, it's only a matter of what university to attend, whether one's SAT score is high enough, and the availability of the money. Then there are the millions of high school students who are not really personally motivated but are being pressured by their counselors, teachers and parents should they attend college if they really don't care? This paper examines those issues.