Three types of people who should NOT go to a 4-year college

[healthy11]

www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/dont-go-to-college.html/2/

Not surprisingly, it essentially says if you 1.) Don't know what you want to study or do, or
2.) Know you want a career that doesn't require a 4-year degree, such as welding, or
3.) Don't thrive in a traditional academic environment
then it's probably best to not waste the time and money. Another option may be a better fit – such as technical or career-focused training, enlisting in the military, or even starting your own business.

[jisp]

I would disagree with #1. Traditionally a liberal arts education was supposed to expose you to ideas and ways of thinking that then would inform a student's thinking about what they wanted to do. When liberal arts is taught well and as "liberal arts" and not as pre-career, the insights and knowledge a student gains can have lasting impacts on them for the rest of their lives. Although I was an applied math major, I continue to think about the ideas and was of thinking I was introduced to in the political science class I struggled through and the History of Science class I adored.

As for #2 there are some types of welding where they might want you to have a college degree. I know that many bike shops want welders who are well rounded in addition to being skilled just because that is the culture of the bike shop.

The other problem I have with this list is that our high schools are not doing their job so many students need to go to college just to "get a basic education". There are students who are enrolling in state Universities who do not even know how to do basic algebra. These students need those classes if they are going to function in todays workplace and start a business.

[healthy11]

While I agree that some high schools aren't doing a very good job of providing "a basic education," the premise of the original article is that 4-year colleges are an expensive choice for some students. If they haven't received a good basic education in algebra, for example, then taking math courses at a community college might be preferable. Similarly, a student who doesn't have any idea of what they might want to do with their life could take liberal arts courses at a community college level, or take a gap year, and learn more about themselves and their likes/interests instead of attending a university with high tuition, and ending up on a 5 or 6 year, or even longer schedule.

[majorv]

Sorry, I haven't been on in awhile. I pretty much agree with the list above. In thinking about my son, he certainly didn't need a degree to be a welder, nor did he have any interest in going to college. His experience, and struggles, in high school turned him off to any further academics. He's done pretty good so far, but I would recommend that for anyone who wants to go into welding or another blue collar field, that if you can get your certification, that's a good way to go. So, #2 and #3 above applied more to him.

[healthy11]

Majorv, it's great to hear from you again, and to know your son is doing well. How is your daughter? Is she pursuing vet school, or doing something else?

[majorv]

Hi healthy, my daughter is making her 2nd attempt to get into vet school right now. After the first unsuccessful attempt she went back and took enough classes to bring her GPA up. There are 3 vet schools in the U.S. and 2 in the Caribbean that she's applying to and I think that she'll get accepted at one of them this time around.

[healthy11]

Majorv, I was absolutely flabbergasted after viewing my nephew's "white coat ceremony" at U. of FL (they broadcast it on a video feed, for people who couldn't attend in person.) Anyway, out of a class of about 100 students, it appeared 85-90% were female!! Honestly, I had no idea that there were such a disproportionate number of women in vet programs; no wonder the admission competition for your daughter is so stiff.

As an aside, our son's lab-mix shelter dog got attacked by a pit bull at a dog park earlier this year, and our son Skyped us while my husband and I were on vacation to give us updates about the surgery. (His dog is okay now.) Anyway, at the time, I ended up mentioning it to a couple sitting near us on the plane. It turns out they were both instructors at St. Georges University of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, and they were "heading back to the states to visit family" over summer break. They both spoke well of the school and the friendliness of the Grenadian people, so if that's one of the schools that your daughter is applying to, it sounds like a good location. All the best to her, and keep us posted!

[majorv]

I will, and yes, she is applying to St. Georges and Ross. We went to a seminar for St. Georges and I personally really like that one. My daughter wasn't seriously considering either one until we went. She was impressed enough to think twice about it though! She would come back to the States for most of her 4th year anyway. Her friend just finished 3 years at Ross and is now at LSU for her 4th year practicals.

I have noticed that most of the vet students are female, but I think the competition is from too few vet schools and too many applicants. There is also a push to get more vets to practice in the rural areas and since she really wants to do large animals then maybe she will have a little advantage.

[healthy11]

If she's interested in large animals, has she applied to Auburn? If she gets into St. Georges, you'll definitely have to visit her there. In any case, I wish her well. Keep us posted!

Note: for additional conversation regarding majorv's daughter, see: millermom.proboards.com/post/new/14440