I am going to college because knowledge is important to me. The most enjoyable and effective place to become knowledgeable is in College.

Why Go To College? In reality this should NOT be a question for anyone (at least in America, Europe, Japan, and the richest nations on Earth) to consider as an either-or proposition. The benefits of higher education are so obvious, it is extremely unfortunate that our nation has not overwhelmingly embraced the idea that education from kindergarden through an undergraduate four-year degree program should be FREE to all Americans. The investment by the federal govenment to allow this great benefit to occur would be very expensive BUT it does NOT require one iota of extra taxes, fees, or charges whatsoever on the American people--just a reprioritizing of U.S. federal spending. America was always a land of innovation and scientific progress and invention (for generations we led the world in patents and scientific discoveries as well as the winning of Nobel prizes, but that has and is changing for the worst, etc). But since World War Two, the Cold War with the Soviet Union (1946-1991) forced us to overinvest in military spending and military research and development at the expense of more productive civilian R&D. It was a necessary evil of confronting communism perhaps, but our nation still has not committed to reorienting our federal spending toward a more realistic downsized military (designed to rescue Americans anywhere in the world [from natural and man-made disasters/conflict, and respond to terrorism using light, extremely mobile forces, smaller in number but able to mitigate or counter assymmetrical opponent threats]). We unwisely continue to overinvest in military solutions to problems better solved by diplomatic, economic, law enforcement, and other tools of international relations (and relying on military force only when all the other alternatives have been exhausted). If we stop wasting money on NATO (President Eisenhower said that the NATO Alliance would be a failed one if it still existed ten years after 1949, it's founding date), renegotiate defense agreements to allow U.S. troops to be removed from Germany, Japan, other parts of Europe and Asia, we'll save hundreds of billions. If we curtail military R&D to more reasonable levels (and refocus that federal spending on civilian R&D), we'll be able to invest in scientific "moon shot" type efforts to develop and exploit clean nonfossil and nonnuclear sources of energy--AND--revelant to our discussion here about attending college--our nation will have the money to invest in educating ALL of our people from age 4 to 21 as a public good. Imagine the long-term increase in tax revenue, reduced health expense, reduced law enforcement and incarceration outlays, and other societal benefits of OFFERING EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN A FREE KINDERGARDEN TO COLLEGE EDUCATION! In return for this great benefit, all Americans would be expected to commit to three years AFTER COLLEGE to participate in a mandatory, universal (few exceptions) citizen service program. Every citizen entitled to a free government-paid, taxpayer-paid education must serve his nation for three years in either one of the branches of the military (extending tours or service length is forbidden--three years period, no more, no less), in the Foreign Service or State Department, in the Peace Corps, in the Job Corps, Habitat for Humanity, etc, or other existing or new government/nonprofit charitable program to assist disabled, indigent, disadvantaged, or other groups in our population. The relatively low rate of pay for this three years of service would be neccessary BUT is a requirement no matter which option (military, civilian, etc) of service is chosen. So, I would prefer to ask the question, "WHY SHOULDN'T EVERYONE GO TO COLLEGE?"

In response to that question, I would say why would everyone want to go to college? Let's consider the moguls, CEOs, religious figures, revolutionaries, and others who have changed the world for the better or who have become successful without college. If, during the period of time when they began their journey to the top, they went to college and maybe did some service, would they have entered into whatever actions that shaped them into the human beings they have become? So my question now is, why should people who have become largely successful without college have to feel that they should've gone?

I have a two part response: First to the question of Jeffery Mason. "Why shouldn't everyone go to college?" There was a time when a certain level of intelligence was prerequisite for setting foot on a college campus. Now no such requirement exists. Nearly 60% of high school seniors go to college now. I find this number mind boggling, and perhaps even shameful as universities seem more intent on operating under a business model instead of an education model. College is not an employment factory, which is what many incoming students believe. The purpose, in my mind, of a college education is to broaden the student's horizons and at the same time enhance the study of academic subjects. What happens today is people go to college and do nothing but complain about the entire process. So many students hate taking gen eds; they are only concerned with their majors that they (wrongfully) believe will help them find jobs. So what is the response of the University? To offer watered down surveys that, in my experience, were far less rigorous than high school AP and Honors classes. (In the interests of disclosure, I attended WVU from 97-02, and went to a very average high school in Fayette County, Pennsylvania) Professors make sure that all of these survey courses are easy enough to pass for all but the most brain dead students, and everybody goes home happy, yet no one learns anything. What service does that do for anyone? Many people want to work in skilled trades, fine arts, and many much less glamorous occupations where they have no need for a college education. Further, many people in our society simply lack the ability to obtain a college education in anything approaching the same amount of time that an 'average' person can acquire that education in. Do I think we as a society would benefit from more people having more education? Of course I do. However the pragmatist in me sees that this is just not possible in anything approaching an efficient, or even economically feasible manner. Think about it. We'd be asking people to put their lives on hold for an extra 4,5, 6 years?! For what, so they could go back, with that 'education' to a physically demanding job? Because there is no way to say this better, I will borrow a slightly off color cliche (at least one that wouldn't be allowed to participate in postseason NCAA competition) -- What everyone having a college education would do is produce a society where we'd have too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Division of labor is one of the things that has allowed our society to evolve. I may know how to change the brakes on my car, but to do so for me would take an hour and a half, and the cost of some of my sanity. It is simply more efficient for me to pay the mechanic down the block 30 bucks for labor, and be on my way in 30 minutes. If everyone were to possess the same level of education, who would change our brakes? Sure the argument is there that some people would choose to work with their hands, even after this mandatory education. But why subject people who have no desire to go beyond high school to do so in a formal college setting? Many people go on for education in fields that do require some extra training. Auto mechanics, LPNs, heavy equipment operators, etc have post secondary education, but it is practical in nature. Many people do not see the value in sitting in Journalism 1, in an auditorium with 500 other students. Many of the people who are sitting in that auditorium don't even want to be there. They just want to get a degree which will lead to a job. The pragmatic side of me appreciates their vision of college. The academic in me screams bloody murder. College is a fantastic opportunity to expose yourself to different cultures, ideas, ways of thinking. I truly feel that it takes a certain level of intelligence to really benefit from a college education. It takes the ability to look beyond your own point of view, and your own belief system. If you can do that, then certainly, you should go to college. If you think that maybe you can do that, you should go to college. If you want to learn more about the world around you, you should go to college. A high quality education is intrinsically valuable. Especially as I define it as what it truly is, knowledge combined with insight. A high quality education is one that has caused the student to meaningfully reflect on their place in the world, the arrangement of society, their political, moral and religious beliefs. A high quality education teaches people how to think, how to solve problems, and how to see that there is more to the world than their own views and experiences. A Public University has a duty to educate all who wish to be educated. It has a a duty to produce citizens who can take an active part in our form of government. It has a duty to foster new ides, promote leadership, and enrich the community that supports it. At the end of the day, college should be an option for all who desire it, and all who can keep up with the pace of it without dragging down the education of others. To the previous poster's comments, we should apportion more money for education, at the elementary and secondary levels. Maybe then we can foster more interest in learning, and better prepare people for both life and higher education. Why go to college? For the reasons I've rambled about above. (and possibly even for quarter pitcher night at those places on walnut street). In all seriousness, college is a pursuit, and I think if the student approaches it as such, they will not be disappointed. I ended up with a bachelor's in liberal studies, because I wanted to learn as much as I could. I am about to finish law school @ Pitt (I know, it was the in-state tuition that lured me in). I wouldn't trade my undergraduate education for anything in the world. I would urge anyone who is interested in learning to go to college. However, I don't think its for everyone. I know many intelligent people who hated college and left and are doing just fine. I know some people who weren't blessed with all the intelligence in the world, who busted their humps to get through college, and are far better people for it. But it has to be a personal choice. The simplest answer to the question is that you should go to college, if you want to.

Others have posted some reasonable and fair-minded remarks here--Why shouldn't everyone HAVE AN OPTION TO GO TO COLLEGE probably would have been a better phrasing on my part. I agree, to some extent, with the idea that not everyone may desire a college education and are happy doing something else. Obviously no one wants an elist dictatorship requiring everyone to go to a four-year college but those that choose technical school, or other types of apprenticeships or nontraditional training, education that lasts an equivalent of 2-4 years, should have that paid for as part of a larger ethic of a public education governmental (federal, taxpayer supported) policy. Again, this benefit should be guaranteed in return for every citizen giving back to society through a universal service requirement, whether military, civilian, or again nontraditional types of service (including educating others in a variety of settings). Also, if this system of free education/universal service was insituted, an older generation of Americans would still be able to participate. Some could give back by serving as college, technical, or nontraditional instructor/mentors. And most would still be able to volunteer some time and effort to aid society in other ways. It's never too late to learn, to educate and better yourself. Even a Donald Trump or Bill Gates might decide to participate! In a growing interconnected world, we all will find that learning actually never ends. So, perhaps the best phrasing is Why shouldn't everyone have an option to better themselves through a free public education system? Compared to some of the other dubious or questionable things the federal government is using our money for, I can't think of a better more valuable way to improve the lives of our citizens.

I think the key to this question lies within the question itself. We have such luxury that we can debate why we are here in the first place. If the luxury was unavailable, we would be debating why we couldn't go to college. And, if institutions of higher learning had not been founded as of today, we would create them. A college-level education is whatever you want it to be, as long as it is available. Also, from a purely practical standpoint, although many abhor the concept of a piece of paper which proves you are a capable ciziten, there must be some symbol. A dipolma (or a resume) is like intellectual currency.

To expand one's capacity to experience the world. Experience trumps knowledge: a hermeneutic truism. By experience I primarily mean intellectual experience,as in drawing from the storehouse of cultural experience in order to expand one's horizon of self-understanding.

My education is part of what makes me me. Knowledge allows me to know more about the world and myself. I think that a general knowledge of many things makes for a better education than a having a degree in a concentrated or specialized area. Modern universities help our society place too much emphasis on certifications as proof of knowledge. It seems that the more fundemental aspects of knowledge like Philosophy, History, and Language are not as valued in our society. These are degrees evoke the question: What are you going to that? The answer to this question should be: I will have a better knowledge of life.

College is not an essential part of life, but it is a part that allows one to hopefully better himself. This betterment is hopefully in an attempt to understand one's self as he or she progesses through life. College is supposed to be an advancement through knowledge, but also to enhance the knowledge one already has. This enhancement should be ideal for bettering and advancing the human race. Thus, college is needed for the survival of our species as we know it, because without the advancement of knowledge, we will be doomed to lead a mediocre existence.

College opens your eyes to many aspects of life that may not otherwise be seen. With a liberal arts education especially, you are required to be a well-rounded individual, and the shield of ignorance slowly deteriorates. Ignorance is the problem today, and the cause of conflict around the world. I believe that knowledge is power, and through college we can gain the knowledge needed to understand the many different aspects of life. Through education, we can learn to live with one another, and accept differences in others. This I feel is key to the continued existence of life.

Although the traditional answer is "to be able to earn a higher income," that's not necessarily true. For me, one reason was given by Socrates: "The unexamined life is not worth living." True, one can "examine" life without going to college, but most of us benefit from organized instruction, etc., and we have the additional benefit of being with others--students and faculty--with whom we can discuss a variety of shared interests. In addition, I think a college education helps to pique one's curiosity and to keep it alive--something I hope to do when I retire in a few months!

The question is, what to do with a good education? Without the know how of how to use that education there is no way to get the full potential of ones knowledge. You can find how use your knowlegde anywhere but college can be good place to find this at. With the help of other minds, mixing and growing together. So other than learning the facts the main goal is to learn HOW to use what you have, whatever it is.

I think that going to a college or university is a very big stepping stone in your life. You are at the point in your life where you are making a decision that will merely decide if you are going to make it in the real world outside of your comfort zone; out of the high school world. But the big decision is whether you want to take the chance of not going to a college to get your degree and trying to get the same pay without it. I think that you should defiantely try to go to any college jsut for the experience and the knowledge of being on your own for the first time in your life.

College is an excellent way for people to become well rounded. This is especially important in a rural areas like West Virginia. A large amount of racism and ingnorance still exists all over our state, and if people can become better educated it can help solve this problem.

Although not everyone's future occupation will require a college degree, I believe that a college education contributes to the well-being of a person. Knowledge is something that is intrinsically valuable and so I believe that one ought to continue their education beyond high school to college at least in pursuit of more knowledge. So the more knowledge one has, the better off that person will be. While most would argue that college is a means to an end, I think the significance of a college education lies within itself - the knowledge gained. When I leave college, what I will be most proud of is not that I am receiving a degree, not that I am now eligible for grad school or law school, etc - I will be most proud of the knowledge I have gained that I did not have four years ago. I believe the main goals of a college education ought to be in developing the way one thinks and approaches problems. Although facts, history, and equations are a necessary part of education, I believe there is something else to it that completes one's education. The knowledge I have gained so far in college through Philosophy has just that. It has allowed me to be a much more open-minded individual; my thinking and reasoning has evolved critically and creatively to the point where I am never not analyzing the situation. I believe that Philosophy ignites the evolution of the mind, so to speak, and the knowledge I have gained as a result has certainly contributed to my well-being.

Attending a university affords one the opportunity to decide, in hindsight, whether such attendance is nececssary to understand that which one desires to understand. In any case, it offers one a vantage point to judge life. By having a view of life from more vantage points, one is more knowledgable about it. In this education, universities serve their purposes.

Let me start by stating that I feel attending college is a privilege. Many times we take going to college for granted, but I believe it is a privilege to “go to college.” As the first person in my immediate family to earn a college degree, I feel one goes to college to expand his/her knowledge not only about a chosen discipline but also about oneself. Even though they never earned a college degree, my parents have provided me with a great life and I consider them to be two of the wisest and kindest people I know. If my parents did well with no college, then “why (did I) go to college?”

Simply, I went to college to play Division I basketball and become a doctor. However, I am graduating college as Ms. Mountaineer, a Distinguished Mountaineer, a Kenneth D. Gray leadership award recipient, and among other things a Biologist with a Communications Studies minor. My point is not to boast, but rather to show what college can really do for someone. In my opinion, college provides an opportunity for one to learn more, do more, and become more. WVU gave me opportunities to not only learn biology, but also to learn what I am able to accomplish in my community. I have not only gained an education inside the classroom, but also outside the classroom.

However, college is not for everyone. Many people, including my parents, have been successful in life with no formal college education. So, why did they insist that I “go to college?” My parents encouraged me to attend college so I could learn more, do more, and become more. For this reason, like I stated, they are two of the wisest people I know.

My parents realized that going to college would not make me smarter, but rather provide me with more tools to tackle problems in life. College is not only a place to earn a degree or title, but also a place to develop professionally and personally. Someone will not be successful in life by just attending college. I feel success comes when we use our personal skills to not only enhance our lives, but to enhance the lives of others. My parents provided many of these skills, and I have been privileged to develop many more in college. I feel we ?go to college? to develop more skills and enhance our skills, such as critical thinking, organization, time management, factual knowledge, and among other things interpersonal communication, so we can make our life and the life of those around us better.

IT’S FUN!!! college was a place for me to meet many new people with a lot of the same interests and meet some cool people who did not have my same interests. It was a place to workout, party, meet girls, hang out with my guys and grow up. I mean who wouldnt want that??? Also I was able to improve my knowledge in my major and got a job that I wanted (teacher and bball coach). I also learned basically everything that I know about basketball while traveling with a collegiate basketball team and one of the best coaching staffs in the world! So my question is not “why go to college?” but in the words of the great John Beilein when one of his players is open behind the 3 point line….... “WHY NOT?”

Why go to college? For a lot of people around the world, this question isn’t really an option. Residents of the many poverished nations around the globe do not have the luxury of choosing whether or not to go to college; educational options are often limited in poorer nations due to the lack of funding available for a public education system. However, in the United States, we are very fortunate to have a choice of whether or not to go to college upon receiving our high school diploma or GED. Whether we choose to take advantage of having the privelege of going to college is our own decision.

In modern times, I think going to college has almost become a sort of requirement in the American society. Most “good” jobs now require a 4-year degree, therefore, a lot of high school graduates feel they have to go to college in order to be able to financially survive throughout adulthood. While in previous years, U.S. residents didn’t have to have a college education to seek better paying jobs, nowadays they do. Therefore, I feel like our society has painted an image that says if you wish to be successful in life, you need to go to college. I realize a lot of students won’t admit they are seeking college educations just to be able to get a “good” job. In reality, however, a lot of us realize that we need to go to college to have a better chance at financial stability in later years. And if we don’t realize it, our parents or guardians realize it and provide the push to make us go to college.

In my case, going to college wasn’t really an option. While I wanted to go to college on my own, my parents also provided a strong force of encouragement towards going to college. My choice and my parents preference wasn’t just about going to college to receive a degree to get a “good” job. It was more about my own desire to further my education and to find out more about myself and the world. Indeed, the last four years at WVU have provided me with that; I will graduate in December with a 4-year degree, it has helped me to figure out who I am in society and who I can become, and I have been exposed to the world without having to do a lot of travelling. I have made friends from all around the world, tried new things, travelled new places, and have been exposed to a variety of situations which I feel will give me a better understanding of society as a whole. Had I not chosen to go to college, I really feel none of this would have been accomplished.

So, why go to college? You go to college to receive higher education while finding out more about yourself and the world. While college isn’t for everybody, it’s a wonderful opportunity and experience for those who choose to pursue it.

When I first read this question, I thought of it as another question with cliché answers. After a little while, I decided to find an answer for myself. I cannot think of why exactly I came to college. I am sure there was more than one reason to come to college. I wanted more advanced education; everybody was going to college; my parents liked me to be an educated person; my future would be a jobless individual without college education; studying in my favorite major would not have happened without going to college; and many more. So, there was no way to my future without college education. It was a necessity at the time. I have been in college for some time now and my views have changed. It is not just a necessity. It is a luxury to have. As others have mentioned, citizens of many countries do not have this opportunity. So, why not using it while I have the chance? But more than that, I think of college as a way to meet people, socialize, learn how to live with others, and above all, learn how to tolerate things that I would have not seen in my life outside college. It is more than an educational experience for me. Though, these are selfish answers to this question. College is not only about me and my future. It is also about how I can benefit and help others. College is one way to teach students to be altruistic and humane. I am learning that lesson now. I think this is a good enough reason to go to college. Now, I think this is an excellent question to ask ourselves. Looking for the answer might help us find our real goals of going to college.

It’s like the famous saying goes “knowledge is power.” Getting a college education is important because it provides everyone with the chance to become a better-educated and informed citizen. It also provides a stepping-stone to obtaining further education and provides society with a venue for exchange of novel ideas. Having a population that is college educated leads to an intelligent society that is open to dialogue and avoids rash judgments. While it is unreasonable to assume that college is for everyone, it does provide a person, who has no direction in life, a place to discover himself/herself and find a purpose. College is also a great place to meet people, who may or may not have the same interests as you. Meeting new people from different backgrounds and who have different views can help a person improve their understanding of his or her own views and the views of others. College provides people with the chance to prepare for and better understand the real world.

money, plain and simple.

Why go to college? This is an age old question that has been asked by many. Well what I have learned so far that a higher education is very important to a person. Having a higher education opens up doors for your future. Going to college gets your foot in the door also. I mean our professors know a lot of people in a lot of places. This is why it is important to make a good impression to your professors, advisors, and anyone else. If you have a higher education it opens up your options to a lot of different things that you can do. Some of the main goals to reach in getting a higher education are to make good grades. This is very important because if you have a good transcript more than likely you will be more qualified for the job you want. Another part is taking and learning from every opportunity that comes your way. These are opportunities a learning experience that could come in very handy in your career one day. The purpose of a university is to research and teach the students, faculty, and the state that could use further education. They show new and improved ways on doing things for there state they could help them out a lot. Yes a public university does have an obligation to society in that they find out new things to make an easier or more valuable way of life.

College is definitely a smart choice to make in life. It keeps u out of trouble and help u overcome the unexpected. God has blessed me to acknowledge my opportunities of being in the college life and I think it is absolutely wonderful! I have never been so fulfilled, yet so stressed over an overload of work rather than just a job, kids, and watching t.v. I can never be bored I’m learning to be a professional career woman. This is not only great for me but family, friends, and future kids!

Going to college is often seen as a “golden ticket”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Especially in the United States—which contains one of the most inaccessible systems of higher education (in respect to the population as a whole) in the world. The cost of college can be crippling to a large portion of Americans. College (in my humble opinion) is more like a tool; a tool that when skillfully manipulated can be a launching pad for personal growth and success. I would also think that the majority of college graduates do in fact use their college education some advantage.

But a ?college education? is too broad?too generic to bring about any formidable conclusion about anything. Not only from major to major ? but from school to school and region to region ? there is no guarantee that Mr. or Mrs. College Graduate possesses a particular knowledge set.

Again, these are my personal opinions and thoughts. My conclusions are surprising in that while in college, I saw my education as an absolute requirement in order to be a productive member of society and also in order to be attractive to any potential future employers. Nevertheless, I never graduated from college. However I am gainfully employed and I notice that a good number of my bosses or entrepreneurs or other ?successful? people may or may not have gone to college OR they do not directly apply their degree. Sure, college provides an outlet to exercise a certain level of critical thinking and self-discipline. But the catalyst of overall accomplishment seems to come in the form of 1) excessive determination 2) family or community resources ESPECIALLY in respect to a ?nest egg? being established for you financially and 3) actual skills.

Because of my interests, I tend to gravitate towards people who have advanced degrees (i.e. my boyfriend has a Ph.D.)?so I am also familiar with the other side. I don?t see any concrete difference intellectually between myself (I only have an Associate?s Degree?and it?s in a specialized technical subject), and them. We speak about politics, economics, issues with our computers, history. I?ve helped my boyfriend edit papers and with ideas with his work. I have given lectures to adults on religious/social subjects (namely on Judaism and Israel) and went to Israel for 3 months to learn in a seminary for Jewish women. I?ve worked with CPAs and attorney?s on forensic accounting projects. Looking back, college provided a small percentage to my current knowledge base and even work (I work for a title insurance company?.in college I took classes in Psychology and Engineering Technology).

I believe that a college education is only as good as the people who possess that education; or alternatively, only as valued as desired by those who do not possess it. Although I do not equate a college education with any generalization?I would like to obtain a degree one day simply because it would save ?some? effort to prove myself in many instances. I see it as comparable to obtaining U.S. citizenship?it is simple a validation.

My apologies if I sound pessimistic or jaded, that is not my intention. And I would never tell anyone not to go to college. Then again, I definitely see that my approach to life should not be taken on by most people. I simply feel that you can go to college, enroll for class after class (and pass them), get a degree, and still not be truly educated. Believe me, I spend SO much time reading e-mails and letters from college educated people that don?t make sense! Oh, and most of them also don?t realize that West Virginia is not a part of the Commonwealth of Virginia (I live in the Southeast?I won?t name the state?but it?s not too hard to guess if I told you that being fluent in Spanish gets you further than a college degree here {unless that degree was in Spanish}). So it is a dire mistake to obtain a degree and think, ?Ha! Look at me! I have proven myself!? In reality, a college degree is just one accomplishment; what else did you do while in college? What else are you doing now? How do you plan to improve yourself in the future? College doesn?t explicitly convey this; instead, they tend to explicitly convey that you need to do A, B, and C. Pay your tuition and fees. Yes, let?s get you out of here.

Nonetheless, most people need a college a degree to make an impression. Yes, to make an impression?.NOT to be educated!

Going to college has to be one of the best things ever. You go to college to get an educationso that you can do whatever you want. You may go to college for four years or maybe even eight years, but it doesn’t matter. Once you graduate you may get a high paying job or even start your own business. Going to college could change your life forever.

I could definitely go into this detailed explanation of why college is necessary-why it’s so important to attend, but to merely save space I’ll just quote Alfred Whitehead because he’s pretty cool: “Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance is the death of knowledge.” College is the prime of learning. High School is merely a repetition of everything you should know before they send you to college-im sure there’s adding on to what you already know in High School too, but that’s besides the point. If you think you already know it all and that you’re fine then you’re really in for a world of hurt. The ability to learn is a blessing. Those who really want to learn with eventually discover the truth, whatever it may be, through their process of learning, and to be cliche, “The TRUTH shall set you free.”

The typical answer given is that a college graduate on average makes 100% or whatever it is more than high school graduates.

Yes and no to that. Having graduated, I know of kids who went to 120k private schools, majored in poli sci who are working at pizza places or video stores now. I know of kids who went into computer science who made 70k out the gate. Humanities majors fare little better than high school graduates, to be honest.

Bottom line: college is an investment. There’s nothing inherently spiritual about it, it’s just a stage that you go through to get to the next part of your life. It can be a fantastic stage too.

There are infinite benefits to education. But, let’s be honest. People go to college today because having a degree in anything has become as basic and as qualifying as having a high school diploma on your resume’. In some fields, it is becoming a norm for employers to require ‘a degree’ – meaning a degree in anything, doesn’t matter what discipline…or dare I say, if it is actually related to the job open.

My husband has made a good point, too: Concerning today’s bachelors’ and maybe a few masters’ degrees, the major you actually studied under and got ‘a degree’ in doesn’t matter. (details, details…I guess). People just want to see that you can be committed to something and finish it. That’s all a degree says anymore.
So I guess if you’re going to college to have that education as a competitive edge to slap on your resume’, you had better reconsider your plans. Or, reconsider grad school.

I value the education and life experiences I am getting in college. And I definitely think that is has and will continue to highten my quality of life in total. But, the backbone motivator that brought me here, was money and success. There are exceptions out there I know, and many self-made millionaires that did not go to college. But for most of us, if you want to have a decent career and salary ‘when you grow up’ you have to have a college degree to even meet the basics.

I think you should go to college to get a good education and to have alot of fun.

In this day and age, almost every major trade requires some time of skill or knowledge. Think back to the days of the colonies and ask yourself if the town?s blacksmith or carpenter went to college. If that was present day both would have required either an internship or tech degree. It?s just a fact of our society that we don?t have time to teach everyone one at a time while on the job site.
There is no chance a high school graduate could be a successful lawyer. Without the knowledge of the justice system they couldn?t put forth a case. Would you want a doctor the give you a heart transplant without taking anatomy?
The reason that college graduates get paid more on average is because they put the money and work into learning ways to help people.

College is a time to experiance new things and meet new people. Searching for knowledge has become the only seemingly worthwhile activity left in our society if we are aiming to find the ‘next step’. Everybody should go to college to expand their own personal experiances and wisdom, because as soon as we let our minds rest, they become lazy and start to lose the intellegence we have already aquired.
Most worthwhile jobs in modern society require at least minimal college, so i think for this reason alone, everybody should be striving for knowledge. Even people that get a job fresh out of high school should try to be a part-timer at community college or at least try some online courses, which are increasingly available to the public everyday. The big picture is that the more/faster we can spread knowledge throughout our society, than the faster we will be able to use it to push foreward into newer dicoveries and technology that will help ensure the further survival of our species. what else matters?

This quesiton could have a lot of differrent answers thats probably why its on this website. My answer to the reason to go to college is the reason that everyone thinks and that is to get a better education and get a job that suits your intrests. My jobs now and days require that you have a college degree. I have learned from the first week here at WVU is that its not all about the education, its about the people you meet and the memories that you share with them. You learn skills that cannot be taught in the classroom, and that isnt the reason people go to college, but is the reason they stay. College is basically a higher education so one can get a job they want, and fulfill their dreams. That is why people go to college.

My answer is that one should go to college to further their life. Not only in the career aspect but also in maturing and getting to know oneself better as a person.
My reason is that once one graduated high school, they have never lived on their own and are more dependent on other people than their parents. Going to college gives that person more self confidence in doing things on their own. Another reason definently has to do with furthering your career to have a good salary and job once older.

I think college is important to those who want to learn. I have been told by many people to never stop learning. When you stop learning, you can no longer better yourself or others. I want to spend as much time on earth learning, living, and finding my own purpose. I think that college will help me find my purpose and prepare me for a career like anyone else, but I am here for an experience, the college experience. I picked WVU because of the sense of pride that follows the name, the mascot, and the ‘Pride of West Virginia’. I have had such a wonderful experience, my first week couldn’t had gone better. Everyone was helpful, and glad that I had decided to come to WVU. So for me college is important, I will grow as a person, and better myself here in the halls of West Virginia U.

A College education is valuable regardless of whether you get a job or not. It is a means to an end, but I believe the end should be knowledge over a job.

Education is about more than just a job. It is about having knowledge for the rest of your life. It CAN mean getting a good job and making more money. But it does not necessarily mean that. Knowledge about Economics, Accounting, Biology, History, and English, etc. can help you in your own day-to-day experiences. If you have knowledge in these subjects, you can speak well and not have to rely on others for your information.

My answer is that you should go to college to be able to live an easy life. Also so you do not have to worry about money in the future.

My reasons are because in this new world of technology most places will not hire someone without at least a 4-year college degree. The next thing is that any job that you can get without a college degree will not be high paying thus making it hard to survive on minimum wage. Finally if you do not have the right combination of booksmarts and common sense you will not get very far in life.

My answer is that there are several purposes of college.
1. To prepare you for the work-force (obviously the main)
a) Actually knowing the materials needed to
complete the job.
b) Learning time management and how to deal with
stress.
c) Earning a degree.
2. To mature
a) College allows students to experience things
that they previously have not. This allows
students to learn from mistakes.

College is a developer of booksmarts and common sense which is why it is of value to society.

personally i went to college to see if i could finally make something out of myself after most of what i’ve tried to do has been a complete failure…. some people go to college to gain maturity and also the social aspect….... and most of all independence from your parents…........ in conclusion going to college makes life a lot easeir in the later run

My answer is that a high quality education is intrinsically good.

My reasons are:
(1) If knowledge is intrinsically good a high quality college education , or any level for that matter, is good.
(2) Knowledge is intrinsically good.
therefore
It is good, on a fundamental level, to go to college.

The main reason to go to college is to gain knowledge and get a degree so that you can get a high paying job. Today, you cannot get a high salary job without a college degree unless you plan on doing hard working labor the rest of your life. Most high paying jobs require a college degree.

My answer is… to be a better productive member of society.

My reasons are… As someone who has been out of college for several years and am now returning, I view college as my opportunity to do the things necessary to allow me to take something that I care about and turn it into a way to provide for myself and others while while being a benefit to our society at the same time.

My answer is to further increase your skills and knowledge in the field or career you plan to work in.

My reason is that college is essential in obtaining a job and major you want to work in

College will give you skills that you cant acheive on your own

Easy-
To live better.
To reach a life goal.
To obtain your dream job- some jobs require an education.
Going to college to get a job that isn’t your dream job, and just to get money, is wrong. Money doesn’t make happiness, but that is a different dispute.

Knowledge has always been power.
We instictively crave power.
Plus were are basically told we must go to college, there’s really no way to make decent money if you don’t. We do have to make money somehow, and it’s better than working at subway for the rest of your life. Unless of course being without a dishwasher, car, central heating, and decent food isn’t your bag.

The right reason to go to college would to learn more about something you are interested in and participate in something productive. Because productivity is what is is all about. Products.

Capitalize on your interests and hobbies.

WELCOME TO THE MACHINE.

I think that going to college is exactly what the government wants you to do. Knowledge is power but you dont have to pay for it. The earth is exploding with things to learn you just have to be willing to search for it. And conforming to the mold that society wants you to fit in it total BS. Everyone has a dream job and they think that they are going to get it because they went to college but they are wrong.

“WELCOME TO THE MACHINE?”

Screw the coorprate machine and do something that goes against the grain.

In terms of making a living, some folks will tell you that you can hardly do it without a college degree. Not true; ask your electrician, mechanic, plumber, head chef…

But I think it’s an experience to have—an expensive one, yes, but the combined effect of which you aren’t likely to get anywhere else. I would guess that 90% of what I have learned has nothing to do with my chosen field and everything to do with understanding people, understanding myself. It will test and refine you.

College is about the most overrated thing known to man. i did one semester in one place and didnt care for it, and another semester somewhere else and it was such a depressing place i almost committed suicide while i was there. i am probably one of the few in the world who strongly regrets ever going to college and hates the fact that i am in debt for something i never really wanted. my advice is if you are planning on attending college, be sure its what you want and if you have any doubts about it, don’t do it.

I’ve learned more in the summers between college holding jobs not requiring a college education than i have in my 3 years at college. college is like this everyday. Okay kids, lets pretend we are doing something, please kids, tell yourselves this is worthwhile, it may not feel like it, but it is, trust me. and Okay kids here is the knowledge, dont get your fingerprints on the glass someone will have to clean that and furthermore the alarm might go off. no, kids, it has to stay behind the glass, very smart people put it there, dont dare take it out, it is fragile it might break. I go to class and study and have a 3.58 gpa and thats pretty much how college feels.

The world is changing rapidly. More and more jobs require education beyond high school. College graduates have more jobs to choose from than those who don’t pursue education beyond high school.

I think that you should go to college to get educated and to explore and decide what you want to do with your life. Without a college degree, you can’t get a very high-paying job anywhere…and it seems as if money is what the world revolves around. College gives you many opportunities which you would not be able to have if you didn’t go to college. For example, learning new things, meeting new people, experiencing bad and good things, etc. If you didn’t believe that college was a good thing, you WOULD save a lot of money. College is VERY expensive, more than ever these days. I can understand why people would not want to go to college, and stay in the work force. But, personally, I believe college is very beneficial in the end and will get you far in life with all of the experiences and education.

To put it simply, the reason for going to college is to earn a degree. This degree is supposed to allow an individual the opportunity to gain high paying employment, and enter the private sector and work force. I believe that our society is too caught up in personal wealth and all that is tied too it. I believe that the college level education is really too caught up in getting kids to pass and are losing their true purpose. I look to the past for the purpose of university. Universities in the past were a place for the privileged, wealthy, the gifted, and the highly motivated individuals of the world. They were the center of culture and higher thinking, they truly were institutions dedicated to teaching some of the finest minds. Obvious that tradition has changed, since now everyone is attending college. Instead of learning skills through apprenticeship people learn skills through college and then through apprenticeship. An added dimension has been added to requirements for high paying jobs. No longer can you forgo college and expect the opportunity to have a high paying job.

Regarding the question of education. I have always felt that education is intrinsically valuable. I believe that having education allows individuals to be more informed of the choices they make, and can change their environment. I do believe that in our society college is merely a launching pad for the remainder of our lives. Many people will attend college, and then move on to graduate school. I honestly believe that the college system in existence today has failed it’s purpose and is a system that is truly in need of reform. Now I’m not bashing college, but I believe that it is ineffective in’s method of instruction. I believe that college is not worth the it’s own price, but until a better system arises we are stuck with what we’ve got.

I believe that students should go to college, sometime or another. Some people may not be able to afford it right out of high school, but if they work for a few years and then go to even a tech school, they will be better off. Employers are more apt to hire someone if they have went somewhere and got more than just a high school education. It shows dedication to yourself and your life. Also, it shows that you want to be in control of where your life is going. It would give you the upper hand if you went to college and someone else available for the job had not. Overall, I believe it would just be better to have more than just a high school education out in the world. You never know when your world will be flipped upside down and you’ll be in desperate need of a job. College could be the deciding factor!

One goes to college to apply the broad range of knowledge that they have been taught up until college to one specific area of study and specialty. In elementary and high school, we are taught many subjects at the same time, with no real focus on any of them. However, in college, we choose what our passion is and we study that and, for the most part only, that in preparation for a future career in that area of knowledge later on in life. The idea is that for many careers that involve applied knowledge of a specific subject, one must attend further education on that subject alone, thus the four years of college. In college you declare a major and your schedule is composed of mainly classes which directly correspond to that major, unlike the core curriculum that you go through in elementary and high school. After college is over and you have your degree in that specific area, you can go out into the working world and start a career in that field, and in most jobs today you will be required to have a degree in a specific field to even be considered for a job. For example, if two candidates applied for an accountant job, one with a accounting degree and one with a high school diploma, the one with the degree will hands down get the job because they have spent four years longer than the candidate with the high school diploma studying just accounting, making them a much more suitable person for the job because of the amount of accounting knowledge that they bring to it already.

I am in college for one reason, to get an education. Between all the great times I have at football games, parties, and with the close friends I have met, I remind myself that I am truly here for educational reasons first. In today’s society a college education is valued simply because it is becoming harder and harder to make a good living without one. My mother dropped out of high school, but in her days as a young adult in America, she could still make something of herself, and she did just that and now has a respectable salary. Today, unless you have tie-ins with a family business, it is very hard to make a respectable income off just a high school education let alone being a high school dropout.

Although college seems to be extremely expensive, especially for out of state residents like me, it has its benefits as well. On Forbes. Com they compare the value of a college education to that of a standard high school diploma. On average, the yearly salary of a full time worker with a bachelor’s degree is $20,000 more than that of a high school graduate. For every degree you receive, you are worth more to your company. And if the business you work for is not willing to compensate for that extra time and work you put into to get that degree, most likely somebody else will.

In my family, it was not an option for me. Although I had plans to go to college, my parents expected it of me, regardless to my opinion. My sister went to college for two years and decided it wasn’t for her, now she has been working as a bartender for the past several years and is still living at home. In all respect for my sister, I used her experience to motivate myself to not become what she did. I need a college education in order to get the job I want one day and to be financially stable enough that money is not as a hassle to me as it is for my sister. College education has always been a goal of mine, and I am here to reach that goal and one day own a business of my own.

I was also taught that education is key to succeed in life. So getting an education is very important in my eyes, and especially when you further education to the collegiate level. Also when you are applying for a job it will help to give you the upper hand over the other applicants. It not only helps when looking for a job or career, but it is the time when young people can learn to be independent. I mean most people haven’t been on their own before, with their parents being around to help them out whenever they are needed. Responsibilities are put on to your shoulders and you need to figure out ways to keep up with all the these responsibilities on your own. I believe college is what makes people find out who they really are and what they will do with the rest of their life.

College is a way to keep up with the competitive world we live in. Finding a job is more and more difficult as time progresses. Going to college expands your horizons, prepares you for your occupational choice, and most importantly furthers your education. Sure there are jobs that don’t require going to college, and those jobs are important also. But as more people attend college, the more degrees there are, and the more competitive things become.

Going to college can serve many purposes. You go to college to not only further your education, but to help secure your place in the workforce. Learning new things is always good, it can help you in the future as well as the present. In todays competitive world, it is almost impossible seeing myself getting a well paying job of my desire, unless I:

A. Go to college and get degrees
or B. Make an invention or service that is so greatly needed that I won’t need college.

Going to college would be my best bet in my own opinion. College also serves as a place to meet new people, and extend your social network. Aside from the cost (which hopefully will be worthwhile in the end) the positives outweigh the negatives for going to college.

I made the choice to go to college for many reasons, perhaps some were not the right ones but they got me here. Firstly I had been brought up in a society where almost every person went to college. It was what you worked towards your entire schooling life; the score in the final exams of year 12 to get into your course at college. Secondly, it was to get a greater education. I fugured Im smart enough to get into a good college, why not use this ability. I also enjoy learning and challenging ideas and motives other people have, so what better way than develop my education.
Thirdly, it was what all of my friends were doing. As much as i hate to admit it, I didnt want to be the one working straight away while my friends were all at college.
And finally, I saw college as a pathway to get a repsectful and good earning job. Like most other people, I want to make goog money from my job, and i always though that the people earn the most through getting a college degree, which is true for a minority of people. It is a known fact, praticularly in Australia, that plumbers and electricians can earn more having never gone to college, than someone who spent 4 years of their life studying for a degree. This makes me question my motive for wanting to go to college to earn more money. Furthermore, these plumbers and electricians did not have to fork out thousands in college tuition money. College kids have huge debts to pay off before they even get out of college, which they end up paying off for years later.
This makes me question if it really is worth going to college. I know that a college education is important for those who want to develop their knowledge, but not everyone wants this and for those who dont, its good to know they have other options which in the long run can put them ahead of many college students in many ways.

I am going to college to make something of myself. It is known everywhere that you cannot get anywhere on just a high school diploma. College is essential for a future and for a good job and a comfortable lifestyle. Not going to college was not an option for me. I am the first person(in my immediate family) to go to college. I have seen my family struggle because they did not go to college, and I did not want to live that way when I get older. I am going to use college as an opportunity to achieve my dreams and to have a good life when i get older. Granted college isn’t cheap, but it is here to show people that they can succeed, if they put the work into it. It is here to guide you and to shape your passions. So, if it’s here, why not take advantage of it?

Going to college is important because it opens so many more doors that wouldn’t be open to you if you didn’t have an education. A lot of jobs have a bachelors degree requirement and it is just a good idea to further your knowledge of what you want to do. College is full of experiences, some in the classroom and others in real life. You make some of your best friends in college and they really are the best years of your life

I think everyone should strive to go to college because its what most parents raise their kids for. To go to college and prepare for the real world. To get an education and a job. It seems like college is what every parents want their kids to do. Nowadays its the only way you can get a job.

If you have money you might not ask yourself that question. If you don’t its that mysterious place you’ve heard people talk about but were never told how to get there.