by Ren S.

Created on: June 13, 2008

If the United States were a nation that valued education, I would argue that a college education should certainly be available to every single person who wanted it with absolutely no limitations-including finances, location, race, sex and so on. But we must ask ourselves what purpose does higher education now serve in our society, and we must respond honestly. College has now gotten to the point where it is simply not worth the sacrifices college students and college graduates make. It is an institution that only the wealthiest and those lucky enough to receive scholarships or grants leave unscathed. Everyone else is saddled with mind-boggling debt, and many still have employers slamming the door in their face on a regular basis simply because they do not have any work experience or do not have the right connections. Perhaps the worst part for these students and graduates isn't the debt but watching countless numbers of people with less education in the media or as CEO's of their own companies make significantly more money and enjoy more success than they do. As a highly educated person with college and law degrees from the best universities in the nation, I can attest to the many benefits of higher education. I would firmly believe that every single American citizen needs the experiences I had in college and law school-the self-exploration and the resulting self-knowledge, accomplishing what you never thought you could, being mentally and emotionally stimulated by some courses, developing new passions, making life-long friends and changing for the better. But if these are the only benefits all too many of us receive from a college education, then I say we're better off leaving it for those people who can afford it. Forget financial aid-this country can use that money for other pressing issues and needs, such as helping the poor, the homeless and the elderly, lowering taxes, improving health care, and strengthening elementary, junior and high schools. If you're interested in a profession that requires an advanced degree, get a scholarship or attend the cheapest school you can. Some programs will be worth borrowing money, but many will not. Perhaps placing limits on who can attend college will inspire students to work harder and perform better academically. As of now, wide-spread availability simply appears to result in more and more 20-somethings who are alcoholics, party animals, struggling financially, immature, unskilled and/or unemployed.

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