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Today in the world where college selectivity is down in many universities, is it still a big accomplishment to graduate college?

By Shahab (Shahab) on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 11:35 am: Edit

What in the world are you talking about? College selectivity is DOWN? Where do you live, and how do you get there???

By Voigtrob (Voigtrob) on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 11:52 am: Edit

I think overall, he is right. People who in past decades would have gone straight into the workforce after highschool nowadays are often going to college. The top schools are getting more selective, but I think the chances of getting into *a* college, *any* college... are higher than in the past. Also because of improved financial aid nowadays which enables people who previously wouldn't be able to afford college at all can attend one.

That said, it is an accomplishment to graduate - it requires a lot of hard work and all that. However, nowadays a lot of jobs that used to require a high school diploma now require a bachelors, jobs that used to require a bachelors require a masters, etc. It is becoming increasingly harder to 'do' something without at least a college degree, it's becoming more expected of middle-class people rather than seen as a huge plus. So no, it's not nearly as much of an 'accomplishment' as it has been in the past.

By Elgorila (Elgorila) on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 03:33 pm: Edit

I really don't think it's a very big accomplishment to graduate from just any college. I would say that just about anybody in my high school who gave even a half-assed effort could easily get into a college. Of course, this doesn't include people who have difficult circumstances in their life (full-time job to pay for college, have to commute/help at home, etc.)

By Jetboy1857 (Jetboy1857) on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 07:37 pm: Edit

I certainly still think it is still an accomplishment to graduate from college (if nothing else it deomstrates your ability to stick it through a tough challenge), but also without questions just having a college degree is no longer as impressive as it was say 30 years ago just simply becuase now it is a basic requirement for almost all jobs above manual labor, and low level positions in commerical businesses. Nowadays to get the same impact factor of "accomplishment" and awe for being an educated person that was once associated with a college degree 30 years ago, I think you need to have a graduate degree.

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 07:56 pm: Edit

But if you go beyond Bachelor's and get a Master's or PhD, that's always impressive. But unless you're looking for a job, who cares how impressive your degree is? You don't get one just to brag about it to people.

By Muzicgal04 (Muzicgal04) on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 12:39 am: Edit

question: is it still an accomplishment to graduate from college?
answer: of course. honestly, even graduating from high school is an accomplishment because it means you stuck it out, worked (at least a little) and achieved something. Graduating college is even more of an accomplishment because it requires much more individual motivation. now, obviously, the value of a BA is going to shift over time, but that is irrelevant to the original post.

By Shhh (Shhh) on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit

muzic, are you sure? I mean ive seen some pretty stupid people graduate from college, and even more stupid people graduating highschool.

By Coureur (Coureur) on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 11:21 pm: Edit

According to the 2000 census, only about 25% of adult Americans have a BA/BS college degree. That's a lot more than in previous generations, but it's still a minority. So having one will still put you at the top end of the educational hierarchy and it's definitely worthwhile. Better to be in the top 25% than in the bottom 75%.

By Muzicgal04 (Muzicgal04) on Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 12:47 am: Edit

but at least the pretty stupid people showed up. they did a tiny bit of work, or a lot of work, and got through it. doesnt matter necessarily that they're the smartest people ever, it still means something that you made the effort.