Education vs. "Doing Own Thing"

[AWD OWNZ U]

I wish I had time to tell you about all the people that I know that have a "Degree" and still work @ the mall or wait tables. on the other hand I know just as many people that just graduated HS and make 10x more than my friends with degrees.

if you decide to go to school I would advise 2 things to you.

1. don't go with the idea that you'll graduate and be instantly making the big bucks. ex: the avg. Business major grad makes $32K per year. and you can get a job as a firefighter, garbageman, cop, a damn sales person just about anywhere.
2. don't waste your $$$ on a big name school. studies have shown that it dosen't matter if you went to Harvard or KSU the same degree generally yeilds the same pay.

I disagree. You can certainly go to college and be a failure but that doesn't mean it's not added value to you. If you don't have drive you will not go anywhere in life regardless of education.

Big name schools do open doors. Every time I hear someone say they don't they are usually trying to justify where they went to school. Keep in mind that big name schools are usually good in certain areas. Like if you go to Harvard and get an engineering degree it's not going to help you that much. If know what you want to do pick a school that is good at your major and that will take you a long way. I went to the career fair here at GA Tech (where I'm getting my masters) and at least three recuiters said, "Oh you went to Michigan?" and proceed to tell me they only recuit from 3-5 schools two of them being Michigan and GA Tech. It may or may not pay off in salary but it will definitely help you get an interview.

JC

[{X}Echo419]

I disagree. You can certainly go to college and be a failure but that doesn't mean it's not added value to you. If you don't have drive you will not go anywhere in life regardless of education.

Big name schools do open doors. Every time I hear someone say they don't they are usually trying to justify where they went to school. Keep in mind that big name schools are usually good in certain areas. Like if you go to Harvard and get an engineering degree it's not going to help you that much. If know what you want to do pick a school that is good at your major and that will take you a long way. I went to the career fair here at GA Tech (where I'm getting my masters) and at least three recuiters said, "Oh you went to Michigan?" and proceed to tell me they only recuit from 3-5 schools two of them being Michigan and GA Tech. It may or may not pay off in salary but it will definitely help you get an interview.

JC

Some disadvantages of a large school are the enormous sized classes. It's likely you can have a class with 900 people. No matter what you say or how many questions you ask in class, the professor won't know your name. Many classes are taught by Teacher's Assistants, which means you are not getting as high a quality as you would like. At a large university you are just a number to some people, and you can get lost in the crowd. Finally, all professors think they are hot shots and care more about their own research than helping students.

Small universities on the other hand have smaller classes. These smaller classes may put more emphasis on learning and hands-on experience. they have more individualized majors. It is not a set curriculum that thousands of people follow every semester. With smaller classes students are able to get to know their professors better. This is great from when its time to find letters of recommendation. Try getting a letter from a teacher when you were just one of 900 students in the class.

Most employeers realize that a student is more likely to get a quality education and not just pass the test in a smaller school(ie smaller class) than in a Large school where he/her is read lectures by TA's.

btw: how much is GaTech per symester? like 10-20K?

[ironchef]

Some disadvantages of a large school are the enormous sized classes. It's likely you can have a class with 900 people. No matter what you say or how many questions you ask in class, the professor won't know your name. Many classes are taught by Teacher's Assistants, which means you are not getting as high a quality as you would like. At a large university you are just a number to some people, and you can get lost in the crowd. Finally, all professors think they are hot shots and care more about their own research than helping students.

Small universities on the other hand have smaller classes. These smaller classes may put more emphasis on learning and hands-on experience. they have more individualized majors. It is not a set curriculum that thousands of people follow every semester. With smaller classes students are able to get to know their professors better. This is great from when its time to find letters of recommendation. Try getting a letter from a teacher when you were just one of 900 students in the class.

Most employeers realize that a student is more likely to get a quality education and not just pass the test in a smaller school(ie smaller class) than in a Large school where he/her is read lectures by TA's.

btw: how much is GaTech per symester? like 10-20K?

Um, Tech instate tuition is $1,950 iirc, its the same as all the other universities in GA, and thats what mine was and i go to state.

[AWD OWNZ U]

Some disadvantages of a large school are the enormous sized classes. It's likely you can have a class with 900 people. No matter what you say or how many questions you ask in class, the professor won't know your name. Many classes are taught by Teacher's Assistants, which means you are not getting as high a quality as you would like. At a large university you are just a number to some people, and you can get lost in the crowd. Finally, all professors think they are hot shots and care more about their own research than helping students.

I don't recall ever having a 900 person class and Michigan is one of the largest universities in the US. Ya there were classes that were maybe 400 people but those are far and away the minority. I had only one class that big while I was there. All of my in major classes were taught by professors. Class sizes were usually 30-40 students. That might seem like a lot but almost all my professors knew me by name, if you sit near the front, participate in class, and attend office hours it's pretty easy to get to know your professors. Most everyone in the department knew each other. There are a lot of people at the school but the departments make a concerted effort to give a more community feeling within. That all professors only care about their research is a myth that is simply not true. Certainly there are a few but A LOT of professors really enjoy teaching and take great pride in it. You also get the chance to interact first hand with people who are extremely prominent and well known in their field.

Small universities on the other hand have smaller classes. These smaller classes may put more emphasis on learning and hands-on experience. they have more individualized majors. It is not a set curriculum that thousands of people follow every semester. With smaller classes students are able to get to know their professors better. This is great from when its time to find letters of recommendation. Try getting a letter from a teacher when you were just one of 900 students in the class.

I've never attended a small school outside of a few courses at a community college so I can't speak first hand as to what it's like. I have to say though your characterization of a large school is simply wrong, at least at Michigan. It can feel overwhelming your first year or two but once you settle in and really start taking in major courses you get the feel of a much smaller school. Not to mention you neglect the perks of a huge school. Ever been to a football game with a 113,000+ people at it? It's something you will never get a small school.

Most employeers realize that a student is more likely to get a quality education and not just pass the test in a smaller school(ie smaller class) than in a Large school where he/her is read lectures by TA's.

I disagree and I'd like to know what you base this on. I've never had any employeer or person in industry tell me anything of the sort.

btw: how much is GaTech per symester? like 10-20K?

I don't pay for GA Tech but like was mentioned it's a pretty cheap school. I don't consider it a large school though. IIRC Michigan is twice as big, our campus is probably almost 3x as large. Michigan is ~5k in-state and ~15k out-of-state for tution and fees. Lloyd Carr doesn't cheap. lol

[C22H19N3O4]

I disagree and I'd like to know what you base this on.

Everything he utters is baseless, which is why I laughed when he compared Harvard to KSU.

Who couldn't benefit from a post-secondary education? Whether it's a 2 year or 4 year degree, you will put it to good use at some point. You want to own a business? An accounting degree doesn't hurt. Perhaps you want to tutor your kids when they have homework issues? Unfortunately, the last book you read was Huckleberry Finn and barely passed high school geometry. I find it amusing that people who never had (or have) the mental capacity to flourish in college are now sitting on the sidelines devaluing its worth. You get what YOU put into it. Don't expect the college to hold your hand through four years so you can have some sort of "Saved By the Bell:The College Years" experience. If you feel college is not for you, then dropout for a semester or two and do some soul searching. College is not just about the "formal" education.

You also get the chance to interact first hand with people who are extremely prominent and well known in their field.

The reason most college students don't experience that is b/c they are too busy complaining about their 2 years of core classes. I guess that's the reason most dropout as freshmen or sophomores. At least it frees up finanical aid for those who really need it.

[{X}Echo419]

I don't recall ever having a 900 person class and Michigan is one of the largest universities in the US. Ya there were classes that were maybe 400 people but those are far and away the minority. I had only one class that big while I was there. All of my in major classes were taught by professors. Class sizes were usually 30-40 students. That might seem like a lot but almost all my professors knew me by name, if you sit near the front, participate in class, and attend office hours it's pretty easy to get to know your professors. Most everyone in the department knew each other. There are a lot of people at the school but the departments make a concerted effort to give a more community feeling within. That all professors only care about their research is a myth that is simply not true. Certainly there are a few but A LOT of professors really enjoy teaching and take great pride in it. You also get the chance to interact first hand with people who are extremely prominent and well known in their field.

400/900 is there really a difference? in a class that big you might as well get your degree online.

I've never attended a small school outside of a few courses at a community college so I can't speak first hand as to what it's like. I have to say though your characterization of a large school is simply wrong, at least at Michigan. It can feel overwhelming your first year or two but once you settle in and really start taking in major courses you get the feel of a much smaller school. Not to mention you neglect the perks of a huge school. Ever been to a football game with a 113,000+ people at it? It's something you will never get a small school.

SWEET! I didn't know I could put all my trips to Sanford Stadium on my resume! NASA here I come!

I disagree and I'd like to know what you base this on. I've never had any employeer or person in industry tell me anything of the sort.

the President of my Company will be in town tomorrow. you could ask him.

I don't pay for GA Tech but like was mentioned it's a pretty cheap school. I don't consider it a large school though. IIRC Michigan is twice as big, our campus is probably almost 3x as large. Michigan is ~5k in-state and ~15k out-of-state for tution and fees. Lloyd Carr doesn't cheap. lol

as I posted above "in-state" Tech is pretty cheap. but for out of state students it's a little pricey.