Recently in class we discussed the true value of a college degree. Is college really worth going into debt for? Or is college really that helpful in society now days? These are just some of the questions the authors within our readings try to answer. The next few paragraphs will summarize and synthesize the two readings.
In the first reading titled “What is College For?’, Phyllis M. Wise- the Vice President of the University of Illinois and the Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign- uses a survey and personal experiences to explain what college is really for. Some of the presidents/ leaders surveyed believed that interaction among peers was just as important as the education of the students. There were two key aspects that almost all of the leaders could agree. One of the aspects was that college will help
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In this article Cassidy agreed with Wise about the importance of college, but his approach to the writing process of this article was completely different. For an example, his article gave us more factual evidence instead of personal experiences and opinions. Cassidy described college as a prerequisite for “human betterment and prosperity”, and for the upcoming economy. He also believes that human capitol goes up each time you get a better degree. Through out the piece the author constantly refers to financial side of college. He agrees that college is a good investment for people who are willing to work hard. However, he also mentions that college is not for everyone, and we must realize that not everyone is fit for higher education. Even though the price of college has risen tremendously the amount of graduates has risen almost every year. Generally, articles that state more factual information will be taken more seriously by readers. Personal beliefs are great, but when it comes to down to it people want facts and relevant
The essay “Three reasons college still matters” by]Andrew Delbanco brings up a controversial topic. . Delbalco proclaims three major arguments in favor of a college degree, which include economic, political, and self-development factors. The newer generation may not be getting higher education compared to the former. Delanco expresses his personal concern about the fact that American High Education is suffering from a calamity. He says “college doors” remain closed for numerous students.
Recently, many have begun to attack and degrade higher education in the United States. In the book How College Works, authors Daniel Chambliss and Christopher Takacs claim, “As state support has eroded, and as more students attend college in an increasingly desperate attempt to find viable jobs, the price to students of attending an institution of higher education has gone up, especially at more selective institutions” (172). So is college even worth it? Caroline Bird’s excerpt from her book Case Against College “Where College Fails Us” is an adequately written article that agrees with those who question whether college is a good investment. Bird argues that although some students would benefit from college and succeed, many fall short, wasting
He continues by stating some of the reasons as to why college is worth it: the pay
The article's main theme of the importance of education and how it shouldn't be taken for granted is well argued because the author includes the difference between college and blue-collar life, describes his own life experiences, and describes how safe and stable college life can be when compared to blue-collar
Adam (2012) acknowledge that the majority of the public felt that getting a college degree was not a good value for money (p. 2). “For example, 57% of those surveyed said they did not get good value for their money with higher education, and 75% said that college is too expensive for most Americans” (Adam, 2012, p. 2). There is interesting tension in the publics opinion in regard to college. Many college presidents have noticed a number of trends in higher education, especially the rise of student loan debt. “In addition, the majority of presidents (52%) said that college students study less now than they did 10 years ago” (Adam, 2012, p. 1).
Thesis Driven Essay The article titled “Even for Cashiers, College Pays Off” by David Leonhardt is an article that tackles the different reasons why skeptics and critics think spending money and time in college wasting. Despite the advantages that have been experienced by America in comparison to Europe, it does not make sense having to explain why college education for the masses is a noble and profitable venture. The reasons among which are quoted by those opposing and critics is that it is an expensive venture. This might be true but it results in self improvement which is very valuable and not quantifiable in terms of price and can result in a good job which will, in turn, result into more money.
Samantha Nyborg LEAP Writing 2011-05 September 15, 2014 Critique Draft Megan McArlde is a journalist and blogger who focuses most of her writing on things like finance, government policy, and economics. In her article “The College Bubble,” a magazine article published in Newsweek on September 17, 2012, McArlde writes about how the “Mythomania about college has turned getting a degree into an American neurosis” (1). She focuses a lot on the value of getting a college education, and makes an argument that all the time and money spent on earning a degree may not be worth it in the end. McArlde uses several strategies to appeal to her reader’s, and does a great job of effectively using the Logos, Pathos, and Ethos appeals throughout her article.
In his article, “Are Too Many People Going to College?” Charles Murray argues that too many people are going to college universities when they should be focusing on other lifestyle options. In his opinion, whether or not to attend college is a personal decision that should be thoroughly thought through. When weighed with the unrealistic prerequisites, the financial expenses, and the time needed to obtain a degree, many people will find that attending college will not be beneficial to them. Speaking of this Murray attests, “The question here is not whether the traditional four-year residential college is fun or valuable as a place to grow up, but when it makes sense as a place to learn how to make a living.
As a college student who is currently spending thousands of dollars to further my education and achieve a career goal, it was, at first, disheartening to read Caroline Bird ’s essay “College is a Waste of Time and Money”. However, after thoroughly examining her points, I now see that her essay is illogical. In her piece “College is a Waste of Time and Money”, Caroline Bird argues against the idea that “college is the best place for all high-school graduates” (1); in other words, college isn’t for everyone. Throughout her writing, Bird supplies her readers with evidence that explains how, for some individuals, college is a waste of not only time and money, but of intellectual effort, as well.
The purpose of her essay is to prove to her audience, mainly soon-to-be college students or parents of future students, that college is still a vital part of planning your future. She effectively advertises community college as a cheaper alternative to four-year universities and their skyrocketing tuition prices; and tries to persuade her readers that attending Community College can be just as important as going to a traditional four-year university because they allow you to begin your college education at
“College in America” Caroline Bird thinks that a college education may not be the best choice for all high school students because college education does not bring about social equality, it does not benefit them financially, and it is not guaranteed that college will lead them to an elite profession. First of all, high school students are expected to bring about social equality through four rigorous years in college. However, college is an expensive way to categorize the highs and lows in society. It is pressuring to younger students to pursue a higher education that only a few could achieve, and is also difficult for them to established an identity in society. Second, a college education does not benefit the youth financially because it is
“3 Reasons College Still Matters” by Andrew Delbanco 3) “Surely, every American college ought to defend this waning possibility, whatever we call it. And an American college is only true to itself when it opens its doors to all - the rich, the middle, and the poor - who have the capacity to embrace the precious chance to think and reflect before life engulfs them. If we are all serious about democracy, that means everyone.” 4) In this part of the writing Andrew Delbanco tries to persuade his audience by using the pattern of logic that agrees with the overall argument but also considers another striking point of view to strengthen the argument (While these arguments are convincing, they must also consider…).
Throughout the essay, Charles Murray stresses the idea that college is the wonderland of finding oneself and to find the career that one would want to follow for the rest of their lives. “College is seen as the open sesame to a good job and a desirable way for adolescents to transition to adulthood. Neither reason is as persuasive as it first appears.” Murray, C (2008) Practically spoken, this is not normally the case. College is a fair amount of work, much more work than one would normally acquire through any course of a high school or secondary school setting.
A rising issue in today’s society is deciding whether or not college is worth the cost. There is an extreme amount of pressure that is forced upon high school students by parents, teachers, and peers to further their education and attend college. However, there is research that challenges the thought that college is the best possible path for a person to take. College may be a great investment for some people, but it is not meant for everyone. This is supported by the arguments that colleges are expensive, jobs do not always require a college degree, and students are forced to choose a lifestyle before being exposed to the real world.
The word ‘College’ derives from the Latin word Collegium, ‘’A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate university, or an institution offering vocational education.’’ (Robert Short, 2014). However in the English speaking world the word has taken many different types of definitions all somewhat still in a degree of importance and in relation to a ‘group’ of individuals whom share a common factor or aim. More commonly college is associated with higher education within Britain and America, with all of these prestigious representations it’s not surprising how valuable college education is in today’s society. My objective is simply to state the important properties pertaining to college, what it