Do you think high school students are under too much pressure to pick a "good" college?

Question

We hear all the talk about the rising cost of college and about how some schools are better than others. But I can't help wondering if all of this distracts from the very real alternative of going to a local community college and/or state university. In California, going to a CSU costs around $4000 a year. When you factor in room and board it can still be well under $10000 a year.

Furthermore, the education from these state universities is not going to be drastically different than what you get at a more prestigious school. I went to CSU Chico and there business program was considered one of the best in the country and there was a very high recruitment rate for graduates. At the time, they were one of only 3(? exact number) schools in the nation to have an SAP program. But I don't ever recall seeing CSUC on any list of best colleges.

Answer 1

I agree with you. I think where you go to college is much less important than what you actually do while you are there. For me, I was always planning to go on to graduate school, so my college choice REALLY didn't matter for my bachelor's. They just wanted to see I had high grades, high GREs and research experience--no one asked me why I chose the undergrad institution that I did. I went to a state university for undergraduate--and it didn't hold me back one bit. I think more people should focus on the price tag, the "fit" of the school (is it good for what you want), and the opportunities you will have rather than just school name. I could have applied to private schools for college, but I would have gotten very little aid for it. If I had gotten aid, it would have been in the form of loans. I didn't want to be stuck with a $30,000-$40,000-$50,000 a year tuition bill---that's insane! It's especially insane since it's not the end of the road for me. Stanford, Yale, etc. would have been nice, but I certainly didn't need it--and nor do most people. Now, if you are going for a job directly out of undergrad, a prestigious school might help. But you know what would help even more? Already being active in your field, having taken advantages of opportunities at your college--this is WAY more important than just where you went.

I think you need to look at what you want to do, and go to the school that is the best financial option with the best opportunities. It's not always the $40,000 a year private school.

Answer 2

I don't really think so. All colleges, from Community college to IVY league are pretty close to the same in reality. Sure there are some oddballs, but for accredited colleges, pick on that whose atmosphere you like.

the biggest difference between a 2 year community college and an IVY league school is the connections you make.

Every year the University of Nebraska-Lincoln does a report card to see how transfer students from a two year institution such as Mid-Plains community college does when they goto UNL. They compare this to the students that went to UNL as freshmen and sophomores.

Both groups score the same.

So does one school do a lot better then others?

I don't believe so.

Answer 3

I think the definition of good has gotten way too narrow in many people's minds. Good doesn't have to mean private or ivy league or outrageously expensive.

Good is what is good for you. What do you want to study and which schools have respected programs in that field? How much can you afford? Some debt is okay but is it really worth it to be paying a school loan for the rest of your life?

What else makes a school interesting to you? Special events on campus, geographic location, being anonymous on a huge campus or widely recognized on a small one?

Let's say you somehow make a "wrong" choice. So four years at that school ruins your whole life forever and you never have any chance of being happy or being a success in anything? Get real. Four years at the "perfect" school won't guarantee sunshine and roses either.

People need to aim high, but realistically. They need to calm down a bit and make a decision that is the best for their lives and not base that decision on what "everyone" says.

Answer 4

Nope. There's no pressure because nobody is dropping them the money to afford it.
Go Air Force. They pay you to learn and you never spend the night in a foxhole or a tent.

Answer 5

ya man, picking a "prestigious" college is a little overrated to me. college is all about learning your field and getting maturing experience. you are gonna be who you are gonna be, and college is just a step in a direction...it doesnt determine your whole life.

Answer 6

post secondary education is all overrated and retarded