Do you still want your kids to go to college?

[hairysasquatch]

This is becoming an interesting question- please answer in the poll!

[Boo]

Well…

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by Boo

Well…

Hahaha- had you in mind for this one!

[JeremyNick]

Boo hearts Hairy’s poles. He never misses one.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

Boo hearts Hairy’s poles. He never misses one.

He will be sad the day I stop. It's part of what keeps me going - can't bear the thought of him moping around the Compound all day, bereft of his opportunity to flash his flying F5 finger, and wondering "where Hairy poll?"

[JeremyNick]

I’m educating my kids that college is not a necessity and it’s not necessary to go from high school immediately into college.

We have pounded into kids heads for too long that they’ll never have a future without college and that if they don’t know at 17 what they want to do with their lives, something is wrong with them. I don’t think any of the choices reflect my thoughts but it would generally be

My feeling would be, as a principle no, I encourage them to be thoughtful and patient with their future. The financial and time commitment is too significant to do it just because “you should do it” though I value secondary education.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

I’m educating my kids that college is not a necessity and it’s not necessary to go from high school immediately into college.

We have pounded into kids heads for too long that they’ll never have a future without college and that if they don’t know at 17 what they want to do with their lives, something is wrong with them. I don’t think any of the choices reflect my thoughts but it would generally be

My feeling would be, as a principle no, I encourage them to be thoughtful and patient with their future. The financial and time commitment is too significant to do it just because “you should do it” though I value secondary education.

Counterpoint - for the sake of discussion - could the approach above lead to less engagement at the secondary level? I had a lot of external pressure, did well in HS then flamed out in freshman year, only recovering after I figured out what I was good at and developed the internal motivation to succeed. But without that early pressure, I may not have been positioned to capitalize on that realization.

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

Counterpoint - for the sake of discussion - could the approach above lead to less engagement at the secondary level? I had a lot of external pressure, did well in HS then flamed out in freshman year, only recovering after I figured out what I was good at and developed the internal motivation to succeed. But without that early pressure, I may not have been positioned to capitalize on that realization.

No, I think that's a great point that I hadn't considered.

Personally, I think all 3 of mine will transition straight from HS to college. My wife and I are financially prepared to cover at least 50% of college costs for them without any scholarships. I just personally believe the mess we have created with college is in part because we have pressured kids too much and it's just unnecessary.

Basically, an extension of the youth sports mentality I love so dearly.

[NYBBFAN]

I thought this was going to be a very different poll based on the preview.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

No, I think that's a great point that I hadn't considered.

Personally, I think all 3 of mine will transition straight from HS to college. My wife and I are financially prepared to cover at least 50% of college costs for them without any scholarships. I just personally believe the mess we have created with college is in part because we have pressured kids too much and it's just unnecessary.

Basically, an extension of the youth sports mentality I love so dearly.

It's very much of a piece with youth sports. Although not necessarily with the attendant financial costs, unless tutoring is involved.

[TheHeel]

-Yes but only at reasonable cost $20-30k/yr tops

[JeremyNick]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

It's very much of a piece with youth sports. Although not necessarily with the attendant financial costs, unless tutoring is involved.

Just wait until the newest trend of "Proactive Tommy John" surgery sweeps through the affluent burbs.

The winter surgcial schedule for James Andrews in the offseason will be all Kaydens, Jaydens, Masons and Skylars.

[Bosoxfan5990]

College is a scam.

[JustRachel]

I think it's true that most of the time a person who gets a degree after HS will have a better life than a person who doesn't. However, most of the time is not the same as all of the time.

Our kid is educated and doing better than we are. We paid for it, and his success is among the things we are most proud of.

[TheHeel]

Originally Posted by JustRachel

I think it's true that most of the time a person who gets a degree after HS will have a better life than a person who doesn't. However, most of the time is not the same as all of the time.

Our kid is educated and doing better than we are. We paid for it, and his success is among the things we are most proud of.

I have to agree with you on that but any formal education like trades typically leads to better quality life. It's not just the education, but the connections you make. I think pretty much the jobs I had came from knowing people.

[jplarson]

Yes I would like my child(ren) to consider college. My partner and I would do our best to support them to avoid hefty loans. We would also support a trade or getting into the workforce right away and take time to decide.

I don't have the gift of brevity to outline my reasoning but several good points have already been mentioned.

[JustRachel]

Originally Posted by TheHeel

I have to agree with you on that but any formal education like trades typically leads to better quality life. It's not just the education, but the connections you make. I think pretty much the jobs I had came from knowing people.

Yep, not every worthwhile career requires a degree. Most seem to require training of some sort, but there are a lot of ways to get from A to B.

Different strokes for different folks.

[BostonNut]

If the average prof is what is represented on Blowpit I think I’ll pass.

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

If the average prof is what is represented on Blowpit I think I’ll pass.

[jcardstore]

College ROI is great if you do the right stuff (STEM)

I want my kids to be able to do whatever they want, and I’ll pay regardless.

The goal is for them to get scholarships, grants, etc… but I’m prepared to pay 100% of anything for undergrad.

If they choose not to go to college they’ll get the equivalent in a stock portfolio that I will transfer into their name and they can do whatever they want with it. I currently maintain the portfolio and it will just be split down the middle

[corndog]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

If the average prof is what is represented on Blowpit I think I’ll pass.

[JosieD]

I have two very different learners. One has an IEP and really struggles in school. The other is a straight A student and in the music honor society. I am ok with whatever path each decides to go down.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Originally Posted by BostonNut

If the average prof is what is represented on Blowpit I think I’ll pass.

Originally Posted by corndog

Funny you should say that since the average student is coming closer to resembling the OT Forum NN brigade every year.

[asujbl]

Yes - because College was awesome - and I want my kids to experience it. It played a huge role in my life and my wife's life outside of just getting jobs

If they didn't want to? That's also fine. I wouldn't make them go to College. It isn't for everyone

Obviously the academics, and how you use that for your future, is a huge part of College but I feel like we're skipping the social and developmental part of it

Moving to Arizona when I was 18, when I didn't know a single person, was huge for my life. That experience was invaluable

Obviously the classes and Accounting degree got me to where I am today... but there are other aspects as well

So my kids can do whatever they want. I'll support them. I'll also provide any guidance I can from what I learned growing up and that would be encouraging them to go if they want to go

Where they want to go will be up to them for all intents and purposes

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Yes - because College was awesome - and I want my kids to experience it. It played a huge role in my life and my wife's life outside of just getting jobs

If they didn't want to? That's also fine. I wouldn't make them go to College. It isn't for everyone

Obviously the academics, and how you use that for your future, is a huge part of College but I feel like we're skipping the social and developmental part of it

Moving to Arizona when I was 18, when I didn't know a single person, was huge for my life. That experience was invaluable

Obviously the classes and Accounting degree got me to where I am today... but there are other aspects as well

So my kids can do whatever they want. I'll support them. I'll also provide any guidance I can from what I learned growing up and that would be encouraging them to go if they want to go

Where they want to go will be up to them for all intents and purposes

I also went out of state for school and it was the best decision I ever made.