Kids, college, competition

[Life Long Learning]

Tell that that's what they want if the instructor is using bell curve grading. More fools equal better grade for them?cheersmate

That was the biggest complaint my two have about their Community College experience, too many of their classmates were just going through the motions. (This is your third time taking this class and you still skip class?)

The adult student is pretty much by definition motivated. They certainly aren't doing it to make their parents happy.

[Life Long Learning]

More States are looking into FREE community college. Oregon is the current one next year for high school kids. No skin in the game = even lower graduation rates.:willynilly:

I think when you are paying for it you have more incentive. All you can do is be there for them and support them, it is their responsibility to get the grades to pass.

[Life Long Learning]

100% well said!cheersmate

Getting into college is no great accomplishment. Getting out, now that's hard.

My observation around this topic is that 100% of the mainstream high school propaganda is about getting in. *as if that's enough.

Here's what I know about college:
100% of people can get into community college. 13% will get out with a degree.
More than 50% can get into a 4-year public university. Of the group admitted, about 55% will get out with a degree.
Roughly 20% can get into a competitive 4 year university. Of the group admitted, close to 80% will get out with a degree.
Roughly 5% can get into an elite 4 year university. Of the group admitted, close to 90% will get out with a degree.

Now, here's my opinion, the harder you have to push your child, the less internal motivation they have (obviously). The kids that are landing spots in elite and competitive universities are EXCEPTIONALLY motivated- and have been at that hard core level for YEARS by the time the application cycles open. It's also my opinion that these kids don't need their mommy telling them to kick but in Calculus class, they have the drive to succeed. Maybe it's nature, maybe it's nurture, I don't know- but the truth is that if your kid isn't driving their own boat in high school, there is little that Mom can do at that point. (which isn't to stop her from obsessing and trying of course....)

So, statistics and data show that ALL IN, roughly 34% of Americans have a bachelor's degree. That means, that despite the parent's best intentions, when left to make their own life decisions on a daily basis, 1/3 of the students power through and 2/3 don't. What makes it happen for those 1/3? I don't know, but all my money is on internal motivation.

This forum, generally speaking, is 100% about getting out.
People here have dropped the pretense about brand names, big 10 sports, and the "college experience." People here graduate. People here are also older. I don't know our graduation rate- but our pass rate for exams is high, it's always been high when we poll members. Better than 85% or so.

I don't know why it's so different- the fantasy for our 17 year olds and the reality for the 37 year old. I don't have the answer, but I do think about it a lot, and I think that many parents could save themselves significant disappointments and stress if they adjusted their expectations a bit. Let's face it, the parents boasting about Johnny getting into the University of My State is doing so prematurely imo.

[bjcheung77]

I think when you are paying for it you have more incentive. All you can do is be there for them and support them, it is their responsibility to get the grades to pass.

+1, I really agree to this point as well, even as responsible parents, we don't have much say when children are adamant in doing what they want.
We can advise them their options and how we see things, but that's basically it, we can only do so much hand holding in life... it's up to them in the end.

[bjcheung77]

More States are looking into FREE community college. Oregon is the current one next year for high school kids. No skin in the game = even lower graduation rates.:willynilly:

Why is that? I think having free education is warranted for some, as for many, the financial burden of college can be the deciding factor of school or no school.
If we look at NA school UoP (University of the People), more than half of their students are illegal aliens or refugees, and individuals who can't afford school.

[Life Long Learning]

We have one CC that looks that already if you walk the campus. Heck, a few years ago the Peoples Republic of Oregon officially gave instate tuition to illegal aliens first and then a month later to American combat Vets!banghead

Why is that? I think having free education is warranted for some, as for many, the financial burden of college can be the deciding factor of school or no school.
If we look at NA school UoP (University of the People), more than half of their students are or refugees, and individuals who can't afford school.