YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Cost of education...worth it or not? (Kind of a rant)

FlDebra · 10-13-2011, 05:13 AM

The difference in tuition at public and private colleges is pretty huge. I am not against that, and gladly pay for my son to go to a private college. His student to teacher ratio is 11:1 -- yes really 11:1!!!! They get all the attention they need to make sure they really come out with a quality education and not just one of a thousand in a lecture hall. Research projects are a large part of their education too. They can get very involved in their education process and not just sit back and take notes. I love the opportunity -- but it does not come cheap! $40,000 a year to start and then you start adding on..... Even private schools do give scholarships though and my son managed to get one that pays half. That is not so bad and makes it doable without saddling him with a bunch of student loans.

On the flip side, he could have gone "in state" free with our Florida Bright Futures, which rewards scholarships based on GPA and ACT scores. I was thrilled that he decided to go to a respected conservative college with a reputation for academic excellence though and am happy to help him pay for it. This is a good fit for him but picking a college is a very individual choice. One is not right for all.

I think most who really apply themselves in high school and have decent ACT/SAT scores can come out with most of their college paid with scholarships if they apply for them. I am all for merit scholarships. It shows them early that if they work hard, they can see rewards. But there are so many "gimme" scholarships NOT based on merit, it is difficult for them to see any difference in working hard or just putting their had out for the Pell grants. I think even PELL grants should be based on merit. Show them right from high school that they have to work hard to get ahead. They wouldn't have to set the bar too high, I know everyone cannot come out with a 30 ACT. But they should have to have some decent grades and show basic achievement on their college entrance exams. Sometimes I think this country is sending the opposite message and that is what hurts our economy and worse, our nation's future!

10-13-2011, 05:13 AM	#44
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	The difference in tuition at public and private colleges is pretty huge. I am not against that, and gladly pay for my son to go to a private college. His student to teacher ratio is 11:1 -- yes really 11:1!!!! They get all the attention they need to make sure they really come out with a quality education and not just one of a thousand in a lecture hall. Research projects are a large part of their education too. They can get very involved in their education process and not just sit back and take notes. I love the opportunity -- but it does not come cheap! $40,000 a year to start and then you start adding on..... Even private schools do give scholarships though and my son managed to get one that pays half. That is not so bad and makes it doable without saddling him with a bunch of student loans. On the flip side, he could have gone "in state" free with our Florida Bright Futures, which rewards scholarships based on GPA and ACT scores. I was thrilled that he decided to go to a respected conservative college with a reputation for academic excellence though and am happy to help him pay for it. This is a good fit for him but picking a college is a very individual choice. One is not right for all. I think most who really apply themselves in high school and have decent ACT/SAT scores can come out with most of their college paid with scholarships if they apply for them. I am all for merit scholarships. It shows them early that if they work hard, they can see rewards. But there are so many "gimme" scholarships NOT based on merit, it is difficult for them to see any difference in working hard or just putting their had out for the Pell grants. I think even PELL grants should be based on merit. Show them right from high school that they have to work hard to get ahead. They wouldn't have to set the bar too high, I know everyone cannot come out with a 30 ACT. But they should have to have some decent grades and show basic achievement on their college entrance exams. Sometimes I think this country is sending the opposite message and that is what hurts our economy and worse, our nation's future! __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard Last edited by FlDebra; 10-13-2011 at 05:18 AM.