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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
"Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne
http://www.amcollege.edu
