“Success in life has less to do with the choice of college than with the experiences and opportunities encountered while in college, coupled with personal qualities and traits. Employers and graduate schools are looking for outstanding skills and experience, not college pedigree.” (O’Connell, 2007). When considering which college to attend, many students consider prestige, ranking, and selectivity to be among the most important factors, as if a degree from a ‘name-brand’ school, such as the Ivies or Stanford, will somehow lead to much greater success. The truth is, however, the best college and the one that will lead to the greatest success and happiness in life is the university that fits the individual student. Higher education is a life-changing …show more content…
A student will likely spend four years, and sometimes more, on their college campus and thus it is crucial that the location is compatible with a student's individual preferences. "If you are looking for a place that is alive, quirky and comfortable all at the same time…then welcome home. Berkeley is a unique and beautiful location with opportunities only the Bay Area can provide" (UC Regents, 2015). While this description of UC Berkeley may be ideal to the student who seeks a liberal and eccentric environment, it is less than optimal for a student who would prefer a quieter and more conservative university such as those in the south. A location can also determine many of the opportunities available. A school located in New York City, such as New York University, Juliard, or Bard, gives its students access to a plethora of unique internships and programs, especially those in business, artistic design, and performing arts. Santa Clara University, located in the tech magnet of Silicon Valley, can boast that "there are more than 6,000 high-tech companies, nationally recognized museums, professional sports teams, and beautiful parks and gardens giving you easy access to internships, careers, art, culture, and recreation" (2013). The close proximity to companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft is …show more content…
Large universities and smaller institutions, such as private liberal arts colleges, both have their advantages and disadvantages; while neither is necessarily better, a student's own preferences will determine which kind of colleges is the best. Smaller universities offer small, intimate class sizes and lower student to faculty ratios, ensuring that a student gains the individualized attention they deserve. A private Jesuit university with less than 6000 undergraduates, Santa Clara can say "with a student to faculty ratio of 13:1, you'll find that faculty know you by name and give you the personal attention you need to succeed" (Santa Clara University, 2013). Students will never experience oversized lecture classes taught by a teacher's aide rather than the professor. Although it is certainly not always the case, professors at smaller colleges tend to be more invested in the students than professors at larger university who must teach a class in order to conduct research at the university. Small colleges offer an intimate setting where it is easy for students to make connections, become involved, and feel at home compared to students at larger colleges whoncan easily lose themselves in a sea of 30,000-50,000 other undergraduates . However, smaller universities
Owen and Sawhill maintain that college can positively affect one’s life by “affecting things like job satisfaction, health, marriage, parenting, trust, and social interaction. Additionally, there are social benefits to education, such as reduced crime rates and higher political participation” (Owen and Sawhill 640). By expressing this, Owen and Sawhill are trying to bring to mind the idea that by going to college, you will be an all around better citizen, which definitely plays with emotions because who doesn’t want to be a good citizen. Furthermore, Owen and Sawhill remark on the college decision process. Here, thier general claim is that when choosing a college, it is better to choose a college that will benefit you financially, not just the one you
Entry to community college allows just that. Addison explains, “just follow any one of the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside—yes, independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (212). Many potential college prospects are turned away because this self-discovery found in community college cannot be found in private college; however, Addison insists that community college is the golden ticket to regain these would-be scholars. To begin, acceptance is necessary for admittance to many colleges—not community college. In the words of Addison, “down at X.Y.C.C. it is still possible to enter the college experience as a rookie” (213). Any student desiring education, preparation, and self-discovery does not need to look any further than community college, which, for some students, is the only shot at the college experience. On top of this, community colleges provide opportunities like no college—public or private—could. Community colleges provide introductory courses that could not be found in regular institutions; this allows students to explore and get their feet under them. To find and pursue an interest proves more difficult at a college because intense classes are provided from the beginning, whether students have declared a major or have yet to decide. In sum, Addison claims that an atmosphere designed
Success. Society tends to correlate “success” with the obtainment of a higher education. But what leads to a higher education? What many are reluctant to admit is that the American dream has fallen. Class division has become nearly impossible to repair. From educations such as Stanford, Harvard, and UCLA to vocational, adult programs, and community, pertaining to one education solely relies on one’s social class. Social class surreptitiously defines your “success”, the hidden curriculum of what your socioeconomic education teaches you to stay with in that social class.
For those who wish to have children in the future, imagine putting ten dollars a week aside from now until they turned eighteen. That money would hardly accumulate up to even a portion of the costs for just a single year of higher education. In the article, “America’s Most Overrated Product: The Bachelor’s Degree”, an essay from the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2008, author Marty Nemko discusses all aspects that should be considered before pursuing a serious interest in educational institutions. Being a current student at a four-year institution it concerns me for not only myself but also fellow peers if we are making the right decision. The costs of higher education are increasing drastically along with the amount of Americans in debt from student loans. The value of a bachelor degree is declining and students are faced with the question, do the benefits of a collegiate education out weigh the costs?
A challenge that all seniors face at the end of their high school career is the decision that will shape the rest of their future. Will it be Harvard, Ivy Tech, or a job at the nearest fast food joint? Of course, there is nothing wrong with not going to college, but for the people of society who plan to marry and have at least three children, it is almost essential. After making this decision, the seniors who choose to attend college must then decide which one. Campus size, housing, nearby activities, and available degrees and study programs are all important traits to consider when searching for the perfect college.
Although they are both a lot alike, there are many differentials of the two. Universities are known for having large campuses; consequently, resulting in large number of students in each class. While Universities can range from having 20-1000 participants at a time, community colleges usually have no more than 50 participants in a class. As a result of such a large class size, it is harder for a professor to be able to develop the one-on-one time with a student. Due to most co...
Facing something that we want to judge, we can not only find its disadvantages, then ignore its advantages and values, and that’s the same for colleges. As a matter of fact, we need to face everything with fair judgements rather than prejudices. Community college or two-years college is good for us to choose; don’t let the prejudices influence our
Today, a good education and gainful employment are merely the status quo -- these qualifications are no longer a proven formula for wealth and success. A reflection of this statement is the entrepreneur and creator of Apple, Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs was a college dropout, and around his death in 2011, his net worth was about $11 billion (Smale). Many more fall under this category, including Michael Dell, creator of Dell Computers, and Rachael Ray, the famous culinary and TV star. These success stories contribute to the idea that success isn’t defined by a college education or degree. Success should not be generalized into one definition or category. Each individual has the right to decide what exactly success means and looks like to them, and whether a university can achieve that definition is ultimately up to the student. School can either be a stepping stone or a road block, but forcing one direction upon a student is unfair and diminishes the fact that students have and should make the choice based on what is best for them and their
Most community college campuses are small compared to universities, which means that class sizes are typically smaller as well. Many students who attend a university after high school have trouble keeping up with the academic pace, and large class sizes made up of hundreds of students only makes matters worse. At community colleges, professors are far more accessible and can provide the personal time students are accustomed to. Community colleges are a notch above high school, but they also provide great learning and social atmospheres on a smaller scale. My freshman year of college, I attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. Most of my classes had over 250 students in them and I didn’t have the opportunity to meet a single profe...
As the high school chapter is coming to a close, many students have to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives. Hopefully, for many that decision is to enroll in a college and attain a higher education. However, as tuition costs rise, students have to take a second look at their options for a better future. A community college is that second look for many because it is the less expensive option. From 2007-2009, enrollment for community colleges has increased by 24 percent (“College costs and the CPI”). Students aren’t choosing a college for educational purposes because they are overwhelmed by financial issues. They are attending community colleges so they will be able to graduate with a lower debt. Some seniors have wanted to attend a certain university all their life and they work toward that goal through grade school; however, they are hindered by soaring tuition for that college. Students should be able to attend a private university if they mee...
College success has become a most desirable goal. However, many students struggle through college. In fact, according to the Website Ask.com, approximately 15 percent of college students receive a degree. Because I’m willing to earn a degree like many other successful students, I find that college is the stepping stone to my dream goals. I know that college is difficult, but I realize that attaining my dream of a college education will require me to understand the benefits of what I’m learning, to prepare for obstacles, to seek advice, and to create effective and reasonable strategies will help me achieve my goals.
As a low-income student in high school, I used my application fee waivers, to apply to four Cal State Universities and four University of California schools. I did not apply to any private universities, for the simple fact that I lacked guidance and information about the schools as well as the probability that I would be accepted to such schools. When I was denied from my top choice (the University of California, Los Angeles), I decided to attend the best school I was accepted to—the University of California, Santa Barbara. In the following section, I will discuss the individual, societal and cultural influences in my college choice process that led to my decision to attend UCSB.
Education is an infinite learning process that plays a vital role in modern society. Even now, without a higher education one cannot even get a simple occupation such as a sales clerk, carpenter, or custodian. From writing checks, filing taxes, driving a car, to budgeting groceries, all involve the pre- knowledge and basics of reading, writing, and calculating. Higher education is very important to the success of a person’s career goal. To avail all benefits and acquire a proficient education, one has to take the learning process as a solemn one.
A typical junior or senior in high school is faced with a dizzying array of choices in choosing a college. Questions such as "How much is tuition." "Is there housing on campus," and "What standardized tests do they accept." are all valid and relevant. Fortunately, asking these types of questions often narrows a broad swath of potential colleges down to a small few. With that in mind, I chose a university that seemed to suit my needs, and I applied. Since I was accepted, I did't need to apply anywhere else. I was all set for the "college experience", life at the big U. Or so I thought.
As the late Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” When it comes to the topic of higher education and if it is worthwhile, strong opinions come into play. Many people believe that higher education is valuable because there are undeniable benefits from the time put forth in college and beyond. On the other hand, some people also believe that college is not for everyone, and all career paths do not require a college degree. Higher education is a valuable tool from which the benefits can been seen in future salaries, personal growth, and in opportunities that arise.