What Makes A College Education? Essay

Andrew Delbanco’s essay “A college Education: What is its purpose?” gives three reasons why college still matters. Delbanco teaches at Columbia University, where he’s the director of American studies and has written several books on the meaning and benefits of college. Delbanco, begins his essay by discussing what college means to each individual student. He states, “For many more students, college means the anxious pursuit of marketable skills in overcrowded, under resourced institutions. For still others, it means traveling by night to a fluorescent office building or to a “virtual classroom” that only exists in cyberspace.” (1) Delbano successfully uses pathos to appeal to his audience’s emotions, his personal experience and anecdotal combine to persuade his readers to consider or realize the importance of receiving a college education, however his essay contains minor flaws that can counteract his claims.

I am writing to you in regards to the blog you posted “The Case Against College Education.” You mentioned, “It is absurd that people have to get college degrees to be considered for good jobs in hotel management or accounting…” It is crucial for an individual to acquire a college degree, however, the American education system is unfair. By attending a college, students have a higher chance of economic success in the future and undergo opportunities to explore a wide variety of possible paths. There are various ways to get a college degree but in the end, there needs to be a lot of reform around education. The question remains, should we help more kids go to college or make it easier for people who did not attend college.

In the article, “What Is College For? (Part 2)” written by Gary Gutting we see a description of his ideal vision to improve education and the intellectual culture of our citizens. Mr. Gutting emphasizes that preparing students for employment should be the job of the elementary, middle and high school rather than college. He argues that higher education is basically unnecessary for the practice of many professions.

In her article “Is College for Everyone?” blogger and college professor Pharinet discusses the value of a college education and debates whether or not it is worth it to pursue a continued education. The author’s purpose for writing this article is to attempt to change a popular societal opinion that it is necessary to attend college in order to succeed. She argues that there are students who are often unprepared for the challenges and responsibilities of attending college, but attend simply for the reason that they are expected to. She challenges the idea that “college is for everyone” and encourages college students to question how beneficial a college education is for them personally.

“Knowledge Is Power” one of Sir Francis Bacon famous quotes, those three words says it all. I’ve been hungry and excited for

A respectable college education gives people the advantage to lead themselves in any direction they want to proceed in life. College is a time that students can truly become individuals. They have the opportunity to become more independent and to take on new responsibilities. The bonuses of a college education include more self-confidence, greater economic stability and security, and it makes you a major contributor to the greatest nation on earth.

A college education gives a person the opportunity to be successful in life, either financially or morally dependent on the goals that they set for their life. They will choose a college that offer programs for the major of their choice, where they will specialize and receive a degree. The decision to pursue a higher education will give the opportunity to earn a better income over someone who does not have a degree. College is more of life preparation course that will help make sure a successful career. If a person pursues a career in engineering, physics or mathematics their curriculum would include more liberal art preparation courses, in order for them to earn their degree, so someone pursuing a degree in these types of careers are

Trying to determine my favorite teacher over the past sixteen years of my life, I went through every grade of school searching for the best academic teacher I had. I loved some of my math teachers and some who taught English, but I could not find the one teacher that stood out above the rest. However, similarly to how most writers find their inspiration, when I was having a random conversation with my family one day, I found myself rambling on and on about how fantastic a certain teacher was. I had not even thought about her as an option for my favorite teacher, but after talking about her for about fifteen minutes straight I reconsidered my choices. Elective courses, classes besides the four core subjects, are usually not taken as

Many students see college as the stepping stone to a successful career and a happy life. Which can be true for some, however, many overlook whether college will actually help them succeed, or if college will truly be right for them. College is expensive and it is not for every kid who graduates high school, although it is marketed that way, high school graduates must think critically about their decision. Should I take some time away from school, to know myself better? What do I intend to do for a career? Am I more interested in educating myself toward things that interests me now and discovering my major as I learn, or do I feel I know what I want to do? And also essential questions like, how much debt will I go into? And can I

The path to success has been remodeled over the years by different generations due to the developing mind. College does educate and challenges people to do more and think more. We can clearly see this example because the developers of this debate are both college graduates. Later on in life more and more questions will be asked and answered. College has an importance that is so popular but that importance has a value. The developing world and society will always view college as something necessary no matter what because is has proved to be a path and a escape to a better life. People that have specific circumstances and cannot pursue college have often been denied of a huge opportunity that can be life changing to almost everyone. No one can judge intelligence based on economical stability or tests, but what the educational system seems to be judging intelligence on is the bank account of the projected student. There is a saying that says "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." But as technology is constantly advancing and computers are running almost anything, is a college education really necessary? There are people whom have never set foot in a college and are doing better than people who have their master's degree. There are views from both sides that contain a valid argument.

I am a freshman in college and I like to believe that I am going to school to better myself and the world around me. Unfortunately, many people only go to college for the substantial pay raise that a college education provides (averaging about double). What makes a college education worth it? What do we learn in college that is worth thousands of dollars and the long hours of sleepless nights? As a college student I very often feel that college is indigestible, the information we consume is merely regurgitated for assorted exams and assignments only to be forgotten when the information is no longer useful to a grade. Some of the things I learned in college had nothing to do with the information I ingested but with the life lessons I’ve learned while trying to balance work, school, and relationships. I now understand college is less about how much you know and more about how to apply it to our futures. Here are two of the biggest lessons I have learned about managing money and prioritizing your life.

The United States of America prides itself on being the wealthiest country in the world, possessing high moral values. However, behind the scenes, many young college men and women are engaging in illicit activities due to the demand to pay clause enforced by every institution of higher learning. Nevertheless, during every presidential election, candidates continue to run on the platform that America’s middle and working class families’ concerns will be front and centered on their agenda. One major concern being the rising costs of a college education. Despite these candidates’ campaign promises the extremely high costs associated with a college education continue to rise at a rate higher than inflation (Renehan 2). In spite of this, many American middle and working class families continue to promise their children a

Since the beginning of the 20th Century, college education has been available for everyone and anyone who is willing to develop their knowledge regarding a specific professional field. Currently in the United States, the percentage of high school graduates going to college has increased considerably: 68 percent in 2011 compared to 49 percent in 1940 (Menand, 2) and the record high set in 2009 with 70 percent of total high school graduates enrolled in college ("Bureau of Labor Statistics"). Notwithstanding, it has come to the attention of many that the college tuition and fees have been increasing at an accelerated rate. According to The New York Times, college tuition and fees increased 439 percent from 1982 to 2007 (Lewin, 1). This

I enrolled at Shoreline Community College with no idea of what I wanted to do, causing a lack of motivation. It’s easy for me to be below average if I don’t know why I’m doing it. On top of that, I made the mistake of taking 20 credits instead of 15 since I thought everyone took

This approach focuses on the importance of quality curriculum and the need for revision so that it consists of learnings that students find enjoyable and useful. The classes in college are intended to broaden the student's outlook on life. This is the goal of general education. When the information is not applicable, the motivation to learn decreases and the only incentive to attend class is because class participation is weighted on the final grade for the class. Instructors ought not to be dispassionate, thus, translating that same lifelessness into the students.