College Bound? Think About It.
College Bound? Think About it.
According to government stats only 54% of all students entering four-year colleges graduate with a degree. That means 46 % spend from one year to three years in colleges only to end up with a large debt and no real career to help them pay it off. Where are we going? Nobody knows for sure, yet the educational experts are constantly upgrading and revamping the educational standards and competency as if that can make an impact to solve the problems of retention.
The experts say the blame lies on the high schools, or in some cases the students themselves.
At the high school level the drop out rate of kids who aren’t graduating is well over 50%. You may well ask what’s the matter with this institution? The fault lies in the educators. But at the college level people say what is the matter with these students? We gave them a chance to improve themselves and they show no responsible.
While student lack of responsibility is a factor, the institutions must assume some of the blame. It seems that getting the students in the doors of the colleges is the most important objective, as oppose to getting them to graduate.
Florida State University reports on First Time In College students (FTIC) indicated that 16% of all freshmen do not return. On the average that is an incurred debt of at least $15,000. At the same time University of New Mexico reports that of its 10,500 student base over 2300 are listed as undecided for a major. Most of these students will drop out before graduation day arrives.
Before entering college students should have an idea of where they want to go in life. Liberal Arts is an expensive major. Besides the 46% of college students who do not graduate we have another situation to consider, how many people who go to college and graduate actually are employed in a field in which they majored. I studied accounting and philosophy while in college. Today I work as an Acupuncture Physician. My wife studied science (premed) and graduated with a BS, today she is the Executive Director of the Acupuncture and Massage College. I could list hundreds of cases of college graduates who are employed in areas that are far removed from their major in college. So I ask the question what is the real value of a college education?
Richard Browne is the President of the Acupuncture and Massage College (AMC). AMC offers a Master Degree program in Oriental Medicine and a Diploma program in Massage Therapy. For more information Call 305-595-9500
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :
“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne
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July 5th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Hello Dr. Browne,
I agree. There is something wrong with this. I just graduated High School and when I started as a 9th grader, there was about 150 kids. When graduation day came, only 95 of us finished. I live in a very small town in VA and the teachers have some blame. The students also have to blame too because they lack responsibility to go to class, do homework, study, ect. and the desire to learn. Teachers are no longer teaching. All they teach is Standards Of Learning tests (SOL)’s. There has not been a day I have not gone to class and they not teach SOLs. High school teachers are not preparing us for college. They are not teaching us to think critically or to actually know material. When one goes to college, you have to know how to think critically and really know material college professor discuss and expect out of a college student.
I also was a dual enrollment student at a community college, while in my senior year of high school. I really learned a lot of information to prepare me for a four year school. I am so thankful my mother made me do Dual enrollment.
I really want to finish my undergraduate education at a state university in TN, in order to pursue my Dream to become a board certified Acupuncturist/ Oriental Medical Doctor. I have been seeing one for the past year to treat RSD/RND/CRPS (It has many names) and very severe Raynaud’s Phenomenon (RP). I have been through a lot the past 2 years. I went to Duke Medical Hospital by the Ped-Rheumatology clinic twice. I went a whole year to the day with out a clear diagnosis and saw over 17 doctors in my area. The only relief I get from RSD/RND/CRPS pain is Acupuncture. I have learned so much about Acupuncture just being a patient and I know this is what I want to do. I will follow through and get my education. I am currently a double major of Biology and History. I want to go to Oriental Medical School in Huston, TX. I know I have the determination and will power to Finsh School. I have it all planed out!
I really enjoy your blog. Thank you for your time and wisdom!
Respectfully,
Chantel