Thoughts On College And Tuition?

[Vincent Vega]

The issue is, doing this while accomplishing objective #2 is next to impossible in the current economic climate, and that's the issue.

 

But here's the thing. It's very easy to get post-graduate degrees in anything for free. The rub is that you have to be good enough at what you do that some program will want you badly enough to accept you and also fund you. So, in many cases, people who are $X00,000 in debt with a PhD (spoiler: most don't say that it was from a low-profile program) and can't find a job is because they probably didn't belong in a PhD program to begin with. In that regard, all the people who say that the degree doesn't make the man is absolutely right. 

[PhuturePriest]

Oh c'mon now you're not even trying.

 

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/2013/201304260.asp

 

and the update

 

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/2014/201403180.asp

 

Thanks for the update. I checked on it a few years ago from the same website, and it said the military had certain requirements on how the schooling was done. It appears that requirement has been lifted.

[blazeingstar]

This is great knowledge to know. Thank you.

 

You're welcome, but this is why I get concerned about your attitude.  Most of these suggestions can be found on Google with a  bit of time.  You're young and I can see the fire you have and you're just shooting off the bow. 

 

Take some other advice, slow down.  You want to be affirmed but you won't always find it.  And affirmation will never help you make tough life decisions.  Not everything can be answered on PM or CA.  We can't sit here and tell you that a degree in theology will get you a job, nor can we tell you that never getting a degree will prevent your success.  We don't have those answers.

 

For yourself you need to figure out why you want this.  Do you want a degree in theology because you want to learn about theology or because you want to know more about your faith?  or is because you want something for your future like employment or priesthood?  

 

I don't need the answer but you should have it.

[PhuturePriest]

The ability to succeed in school is a different conversation than the politics surrounding cost and affordability. 

 

The US education system is pretty one note. If you cant conform to that way or thinking or if you do not thrive in that atmosphere, you will likely struggle. But that doesnt mean there are other modes of education...they just arent as well known or not certified in anyway. Self education is pretty important, but its not for everyone...nor is it even viable in some career paths because you need to have the paper proof that you know what you claim you know.

 

My fiance has nothing besides his high school diploma and he works in film and tech administration. He is completely self taught and has been able to be extremely successful without higher education. He tried it...went to school at a university in California, bu he hated it. He was always the kid asking why or trying to think outside of the box. Unfortunately, that didnt work out so well and he simply dropped out. 

 

Now he works at a high profile job doing what he loves! I am not advocating for everyone to abandon their education paths, Im just pointing out that the system has many flaws...and a couple BIG flaws. 

 

My favoritre graphic always sums it up pretty well!

 

It might sound fluffy and hippie-ish, but everything DOES have something they are an expert at. However society and the way our system is set up deems some types of expertise as having less value..and indeed they are correct because of the mad politics and our broken monetary system. Your value is determined by how well you fit into the system...if your abilities or God given gifts dont fit...you have no value. 

 

I was told to inform you that you have a private message on Catholic Answers Forums you need to respond to.

[blazeingstar]

Thanks for the update. I checked on it a few years ago from the same website, and it said the military had certain requirements on how the schooling was done. It appears that requirement has been lifted.

 

*sigh*  HSLDA has always advocated for homeshooler rights.  They have always put tit for tat exactly what was needed.

 

Now was now....a few years ago you were 12 or 13.  Things change quite a bit for many things.

[PhuturePriest]

You're welcome, but this is why I get concerned about your attitude.  Most of these suggestions can be found on Google with a  bit of time.  You're young and I can see the fire you have and you're just shooting off the bow. 

 

Take some other advice, slow down.  You want to be affirmed but you won't always find it.  And affirmation will never help you make tough life decisions.  Not everything can be answered on PM or CA.  We can't sit here and tell you that a degree in theology will get you a job, nor can we tell you that never getting a degree will prevent your success.  We don't have those answers.

 

For yourself you need to figure out why you want this.  Do you want a degree in theology because you want to learn about theology or because you want to know more about your faith?  or is because you want something for your future like employment or priesthood?  

 

I don't need the answer but you should have it.

 

Keep in mind I don't just say stuff because I think it. I'm told these things by the people I know in real life (Yes, as much time as I spend here, there are people I actually interact with). If any of it is incorrect, I apologize.

[blazeingstar]

Keep in mind I don't just say stuff because I think it. I'm told these things by the people I know in real life (Yes, as much time as I spend here, there are people I actually interact with). If any of it is incorrect, I apologize.

 

 

FP.  Stop just listening to everyone else, research.  Google.  Go to the library.  Speak to Joe at the coffee house and Sam in academia, but be aware that Joe, Sam and even DuST have their own biases.  

 

I had a student tell me that they "checked every lender" and private school loans were still over X%.  I asked them if they had tried credit unions....and the answer was no.  This frustrates me to no end.

[CrossCuT]

Higher education isnt bad. Its just handled crappy in the US. I would still suggest people try it and do their best. 

 

 But there are other people whose height of educational and intellectual pursuits is simply learning everything by themselves, and they're just as knowledgeable and qualified as people who went to college. 

 

Mehh, the first thing that comes to my mind is the anti-vacc movement. Where people will present their Google skills as sufficient evidence to disprove a large body of scientific study.

 

You are right that the education system caters to a very narrow means of achieving higher education, but we shouldnt let that cause us to interpret higher education as bad. Its still good! 

 

But self taught career paths are very specific to what your career actually is. For instance, I would not feel comfortable with a doctor who told me he learned all on his own and has no degree or certification to back it up. 

[PhuturePriest]

Higher education isnt bad. Its just handled crappy in the US. I would still suggest people try it and do their best. 

 

 

Mehh, the first thing that comes to my mind is the anti-vacc movement. Where people will present their Google skills as sufficient evidence to disprove a large body of scientific study.

 

You are right that the education system caters to a very narrow means of achieving higher education, but we shouldnt let that cause us to interpret higher education as bad. Its still good! 

 

But self taught career paths are very specific to what your career actually is. For instance, I would not feel comfortable with a doctor who told me he learned all on his own and has no degree or certification to back it up. 

 

If you look, I have repeatedly stressed that higher education is a good thing. And I agree with your example with the doctor. But part of being self-taught is proving you actually know what you claim you do, which is the same thing as proving you know what your degree claims you do.

[CrossCuT]

If only those who preferred to be self taught only had to come in and take the same examination as the regular students to prove they know what they claim they know.

Alas, the university would lose lots on tuition money and they sure as heck cant have that!!!

 

ps. thanks for the tip from CA! I havent checked it as often as I should

Edited August 26, 2014 by CrossCuT

[PhuturePriest]

If only those who preferred to be self taught only had to come in and take the same examination as the regular students to prove they know what they claim they know.

Alas, the university would lose lots on tuition money and they sure as heck cant have that!!!

 

ps. thanks for the tip from CA! I havent checked it as often as I should

 

That would be a compromise I would very much like. You could even make the self-taught people take 2 exams for all I care, because I do agree there is increased risk with a person who learned everything by himself.

 

I also think money is a reason colleges tell poor unknowing students that all they need to get is a degree to have the jobs thrown at them. If they didn't think that, they might not go, and if they don't go, it's less money in the university's pocket.

[CrossCuT]

That would be a compromise I would very much like. You could even make the self-taught people take 2 exams for all I care, because I do agree there is increased risk with a person who learned everything by himself.

 

I also think money is a reason colleges tell poor unknowing students that all they need to get is a degree to have the jobs thrown at them. If they didn't think that, they might not go, and if they don't go, it's less money in the university's pocket.

 

My fiance is in a fortunate position to be able to do that. 

Even though he never got a college degree, his interested are in the techy and computer stuff. He is completely self taught and will be taking the Microsoft and Cisco certifications which are the best you can get and open nearly any door you wish to go through in that career path. 

 

Unfortunately, not everything is set up that way, but there are reasons for that. Like I said before, its very specific to what you want to do, but in general, the sentiment is "Go to a university and spend an arm and a leg for a possible chance at a job!"

[blazeingstar]

That would be a compromise I would very much like. You could even make the self-taught people take 2 exams for all I care, because I do agree there is increased risk with a person who learned everything by himself.

 

I also think money is a reason colleges tell poor unknowing students that all they need to get is a degree to have the jobs thrown at them. If they didn't think that, they might not go, and if they don't go, it's less money in the university's pocket.

 

Some colleges are crooked, University of Phoenix for instance.  They do lie

 

Other colleges believe strongly that they only attract the best students and therefore, if you make it to the doors you can make it anywhere, like Harvard.

 

The great majority simply want to help students.  I cannot tell you how much verbal abuse I've taken from 30-40 yo men over having to take a philosophy/history/business law class but then realize there is value in learning something that's not directly related towards their degree

 

There is a business nature to colleges, however, they often do believe that higher education is the answer.

 

And what you're both speaking to is called assessment based learning.  Western Governor's is the most famous version of that.

[PhuturePriest]

Some colleges are crooked, University of Phoenix for instance.  They do lie

 

Other colleges believe strongly that they only attract the best students and therefore, if you make it to the doors you can make it anywhere, like Harvard.

 

The great majority simply want to help students.  I cannot tell you how much verbal abuse I've taken from 30-40 yo men over having to take a philosophy/history/business law class but then realize there is value in learning something that's not directly related towards their degree

 

There is a business nature to colleges, however, they often do believe that higher education is the answer.

 

And what you're both speaking to is called assessment based learning.  Western Governor's is the most famous version of that.

 

What's wrong with the University of Phoenix? You've mentioned it several times, so I'm just curious.

[blazeingstar]

What's wrong with the University of Phoenix? You've mentioned it several times, so I'm just curious.

 

 

There a for-profit scam with a graduation rate of 1 in 1,000.