It’s a shame that education has become so transactional. I was lucky enough to have a scholarship, but if I’m fortunate enough to pay full-ride for my kids when they’re old enough, and they’re at a place where they seem ready to get the most out of it, I’d spend that money in a heartbeat. Not because I think we’d see a dollar value return on the investment, something coldly transactional. But because I was lucky enough to see firsthand the value of that experience.
And it was lucky, because the vast majority of people are under a ton of financial stress for something that hasn’t provided a clear return on investment.
So what I would caution is this: don’t write off college. But also don’t write off the enormous financial burden you may be taking on. If you’re young and have a shot at a scholarship, really consider it! A lot of the negativity around college is financially driven, but the experience of getting a truly rounded education is invaluable. As well as the friendships you make.
eh, the 'truly rounded education' can generally be attained through the internet, and I've found those who aren't interested in them in the first place tend not to gain much from the classes anyways. Friendships are the main unique upside, but unless you go to an elite college the students who are genuinely driven in their field are hard to find. That's not to say your friends need to be "leaders" and whatnot, but it definitely differs from the narrative colleges put around their students and the price tag being worth it.
And it was lucky, because the vast majority of people are under a ton of financial stress for something that hasn’t provided a clear return on investment.
So what I would caution is this: don’t write off college. But also don’t write off the enormous financial burden you may be taking on. If you’re young and have a shot at a scholarship, really consider it! A lot of the negativity around college is financially driven, but the experience of getting a truly rounded education is invaluable. As well as the friendships you make.