[MaroonTiger]

"I've spent a fortune on my kids' education, and a fortune on their teeth. The difference is, they use their teeth." --- Robert Orben

My Screen Name used to be "greling", but I forgot the password and lost the email account (website discontinued), so I'm having to use a new account with my current address.

Since writing my comments a while back, I would have to say that I have changed my mind entirely. In finishing up my undergraduate years, I am highly convinced that college ultimately is a waste of time and money given its price tag and the poor quality of instruction. College has proved for me to be a disatisfying experience in that it ultimately did not meet my educational needs, drained my pockets of cash, and burdened me with lots of debt that I'll see upon graduation.

If I had to do it all over again, I would not have chosen college. I didn't really learn anything new in school. Anything that I've managed to learn, I've taught myself through independent study. I would have probably instead chosen an apprenticeship to teach myself job skills and self-taught my liberal arts education at a local public library for FREE.

Yeah, college is not for the serious entrepreneur. It limits your options in that the money you would have otherwise put into a potential start-up business instead gets sent off to loans companies and tuition clerks.

This is not to say that college is not for everybody, but it definitely didn't do me any good. I now know how little the degree is worth from the eyes of someone receiving one in the near future. This reminds me of a quote:

"Every man should have a college education in order to show him how little the thing is really worth." ---- Elbert Hubbard

Here are some interesting sites that add some perspective on this issue and education in American in General:

1.) A College Miseducation

2.) Forbes Magazine: Is College Worth It?

3.) College May Be a Poor Choice if You're Seeking a Real Education

4.) When Higher Education Closes Doors: How Student Loan Debt Can Keep Us from Our Life's Calling

5.) Why Not To Trust Your School

6.) College isn't always the answer

7.) The Six-Lesson Schoolteacher, by John Taylor Gatto

[nado]

wow, they are very interesting... just sparked more conflict in my head as to whether I should do uni/college.

[toptemp]

Obviously, in response to this question/dillema, you're going to get answers for both sides of the coin. That won't get you very far as you'll probably only end up confirming your own personal preference/bias.

Therefore, I would say to start by asking yourself two questions:

1) What do I want in life?
2) How can I get there?

Ask yourself if college plays into the picture. Obviously, if you can easily get to where you want to be without college, you know the answer. If college will faciliate your life's course, go with it.

To do the above, you obviously must know what college can and can't do. You've probably gotten many of those answers already. If you exploit college to the nth degree, I believe that there's no way that it couldn't facilitate your track.

I entered college this year and will finish next year with an Accounting degree. Entrepreneurs often fall short in the finance area (even though you can often lean on others for advice). I'm currently reading through 10 college textbooks right now above and beyond my given class schedule. I'm learning more than I ever could. I'm running a multi-million dollar business right now with two professors which means its possible to still make huge money in college. I've got contacts ranging from the head of the national commerce department to supreme court justice Clarence Thomas. I'm also having a blast! There's both great experiences and huge opportunities in college if you do it right.

[Sport Skeds]

...wow - I feel old.
...and poor.
(shrug)

I have to ask a question:
If school - in general - is meant to teach and prepare someone for 'life' - and college is 'school' - with greater focus (there are those that define it as such) - and you are feeling like you have an adequate grasp of 'life' that you are questioning attending college - then why are you not questioning the need to finish school *before* college?

We all know college isn't 'required' - but - neither is it's predecessor...techically.

Personally - I learned little from the classrooms of my secondary education - but my BS in Finance has helped me open all of my current job opportunities. And - as others have stated - the relationships grown in those 4 (lol - or 5) years have more than reallized their full potential in making me happier in life.

I'm no where near as 'set' as you are - 'fiscally' - and would love to have been able to get more out of the experience - classroom included! - if I didn't have to work and borrow so much to get through it.

Bottom line is - the choice is yers - and it sounds like you already have your mind somewhat made up. But there are costs to *all* choices - make sure you approach the decision making needed to answer this without bias...

Good luck...

[adamg]

hi, I went to uni and got a excellent grade degree my course was on the Internet. I would say that it was mainly a waste of time, I learnt a few things but not enough to justify the expenses and time wastage. I did spend a year of my course in industry which was good. I wish I had set up businesses and ran them when I was 18. I think I would be a lot better off now.

A lot of the stuff I was taught wasnt relevant to my course. So whatever course you chose, pick one where you are interested in the material and have a good idea of what it is going to be.
The main benefit of going to uni are that it gives you more confidence. Maybe you could do a part time degree.

[DSB]

Originally Posted by greling

I know some students just brush off the value of a liberal arts curriculum as faux pas, but when they get out into the workplace or business market and realize that the competition seems very creative, very innovative, and rather swift in their thinking speed, you'll thank your freshman professors for giving you the basic walkthrough.

I completely agree! University courses have so much more to do with teaching you how to think critically and creatively than the texts and content of those courses that you use to achieve this ultimate end. If you choose University, do not go for business courses, as you seem to have that under your belt. Get general! Some arts, some sciences - explore a little, and I'm sure that you'll find your own business life will be revitalized by a fresh flow of ideas and strategies.

[theprodigy101]

I actually just did a post about this on my blog. Its the first link in my sig.

[bmutton]

I would for sure go to college, with over a million dollars think of the parties and girls you can get....

[NeeJam]

i think you should, im 15 in my last year of high school and im gonig to college and then to uni to get a degree. I think that it is down to the person if they go to college or not and again uni or not. Whatever you decide it should be right decision for you and if you think you could benefit by donig your other businesses then do then if not go to college. Or you could do both business and college who is stopping you?

[overdrive]

I would go to college, if you don't like it you can leave after a week. Most likely they'll give you back your fees.

With your wealth you can have a ball of a time with the ladies. Just buy a porsche and hold lots of parties at a big house which you will rent. You will have the time of your life. Really, we need people like you should do it so the rest of us don't have to.