College choices

[crts08]

I’m getting ready to start college and I’m going to start at a big university mainly because Ive had so many people say the only way to me successful is to go to a big university and get a four year degree.

I have heard of so many people with big degrees lately NOT being able to get a job with big degrees and people that go to small tech schools to get a two year degree get a job pretty easy. Would going to a tech school and getting a couple of two year degrees in two diffrant fields that I like be a good idea? I would rather a small college because its cheaper and small. But I have been made to think that I have to have a four year from a big college.

 

[PoliSciProf]

If you think the large university “brand” is the only key to success, you are very mistaken. I will give you the same advice that I gave to my children (all successful and all with more than one degree, none from a super university brand school). Avoid the mega universities unless you are very independent and a self-starter. Classes will be big and the faculty will generally be research oriented, not student oriented. Consider a mega university only if there is a very specific subject that you want to study, say chemical engineering. Consider mid-range colleges (about 3,000 to 5,000 students) which are often called comprehensive colleges which means they have some “vocational” (i.e., nursing, criminal justice) programs but also a solid core curricula and good liberal arts majors. These are often (but not always) teaching oriented. If you really want or need personal attention consider a small (1000 students more or less) liberal arts college. You will really emerge able to think for yourself (most of the time) and have the intellectual and interpersonal skills that will help you succeed in almost any occupation. There is nothing wrong with going to a community college or an accredited (ACCSC is the gold standard here) vocational school to study diving/salvage, massage theerapy, etc. These vocational schools actually have to demonstrate that 80% of their grads have jobs in their field within three months of finishing. Some of these programs grant AA degrees, others don’t.

I teach at a 5,000 student comprehensive college by the way. My advice to my children was to go to a comprehensive school, major in one of the liberal arts and then go on for a master’s degree in some more specific or technical area. College is expensive so you really have to find one with the right “fit” for you. I hope this helps a bit. Good luck.

 

[crts08]

If you think the large university “brand” is the only key to success, you are very mistaken.

Thanks for the advice. I do want to point out that I dont think its the only key to success. Just people around me. Ive seen successful people that never stepped foot on any college campus lol