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Course: College admissions > Unit 1
Lesson 2: Importance of college- The college experience
- Student story: College increases confidence
- Student story: College expands opportunities
- Student story: College offers exposure to diversity
- Student story: College brings new friends, learning, and freedom
- Financial costs and benefits of college
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Student story: College brings new friends, learning, and freedom
This college student discusses meeting people from different places and learning about various cultures. They also discover their love for learning. College gives them more freedom, and they do things because they want to, not because they have to. This opens up many opportunities for personal growth and exploration.
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- She says that going to college is because you want to do it. Really? If that's the case, then why are all the high schools pushing their kids toward college? If its about what we want, why are we not being heard? The class that made me watch this video is required to graduate, and its all about prepping for college. If we go to college because we want to, then why does it feel like I'm being forced to go somewhere that will take away my money and leave me for dead? Colleges now are very expensive, and I don't feel like I'd be able to pass, meaning that I'd spend all of my money to fail. If college is really about what we want, then we should not be pressured to go to it.(18 votes)
- I actually agree with you entirely, and if you don't want to go to college don't do it. There's no point in paying thousands of dollars for an education you neither need nor want. But before you ditch the idea of college altogether, just make sure that the plans you have for your life won't be interrupted by not having a college education. Most (but not all) of the high-paying jobs do require a college degree, so just be prepared for that. But if you're not interested in college, don't go. It will be a waste of your time.(12 votes)
- I got a B in AP Biology my 1st semester of freshman year (I still have a 4.0 weigted GPA since it is an AP course). Will I still be able to get into an Ivy League or MIT?(5 votes)
- The short answer: Yes.
The long answer: Asking if any single factor will or will not gain you admittance to a select number of prestigious schools is an impossible to answer question, as the acceptance process depends on a confluence of factors, not any particular one. Your odds of acceptance depend on the entirety of your application to each school.
The longer answer: Focusing on being admitted only the the Ivies or MIT is short-sighted and likely to bring you grief. Putting aside the issue of the intensely competitive nature of admittance, the 'Ivy League' includes a diverse range of schools, and one or all may not suit your goals, needs, preferences, and personality. Make sure you understand the culture, focus, and resources of each school. Be sure they're a good fit, not just a good name. There are hundreds of other schools in the US which provide incredible educations, plentiful social connections, and amazing opportunities for your future (many, it should be noted, at a fraction of the price).(3 votes)
- It is imperative that we have real world discussions on higher education and exactly if our US higher education system is out of date. Many degrees that colleges and universities are offering, are for jobs that no longer exist. Many classes are simply theoretical and don't provide hands on experience with software and or business skills that are what is actually NECESSARY in today's economy and with the ever changing demands of the market. Student loans can and will STRANGLE the possibility of you ever becoming financially independent, even if you land an office job...you will be simply working to repay endless debt. THAT is what we should be informing people about. AND, we need to encourage people to CREATE a series of FREE universities, and eradicate debt slavery.(6 votes)
- diversity is good but its kind of hard to escape racism is it not?(4 votes)
- While there are some things you don't have control of, it is important to stay on track towards your goal or degree. Going to college will open you up to diversity, but also maybe some discrimination too. Many Americans face this and the best way is to ignore the people hating you. You are you and nobody can change that! Stand up for what you believe in and there is a purpose for why you chose to go to college! So make the best of college and while there may be some challenges, just persevere and you will get through! Best of luck, and I hope this helps!(2 votes)
- I don't really buy that going to a college makes people more confident or expands opportunities. I'm not saying Khan Academy is wrong, I'm a high-school student, what do I know? All I'd like to ask is, do you become more confident and capable in college because it is a more independent environment - or is it directly the college? I'm thinking its' a personal thing, but again, I'm exceptionally ignorant about this. Thanks for the video and all the speakers giving really articulate advice.(4 votes)
- I think it will also depend on the person and the college they go to. A shy republican going to an democratic art institute in California would probably be more or less terrified, while the same republican would probably flourish in a school with similarly minded people.(2 votes)
- I think that the general statements about wanting are somewhat misleading. Consider, for example,0:28, "you're doing homework because you want to." I have found it common for people to enjoy their majors as well as their specific courses, but at the same time homework is frequently brought up as a sort of necessary evil: an experience which is not oft enjoyable, but which is important for laying proper foundations. At worst, it is important only for getting the right grades. Similarly, some courses have mandatory attendance, and you only have 'freedom' insofar as you are willing to gamble with your academic record. Finally, there are course requirements for virtually all majors, and it is not impossible to find someone who enjoys the major but loathes one or two of the requirements.
I agree that enrollment in college is not compulsive in the way that, say, high school is. Nonetheless, could it not be argued that this perspective risks setting up prospective students for disillusionment?(4 votes) - if you had been interested in actually learning, then you would have striven to learn in high school. The same people who wanted to learn in high school are going to excel in college.(3 votes)
- How Can I Make Friends In College? How Can I Contrast My Friends From College To Middle School?(2 votes)
- Just talk to people. As for middle school, (if you are currently in middle school) I understand how hard it can be. Choosing your friends is an important decision. So my recommendation, is to stay true to yourself and try your best. It may take a while, but remember that there are other people in the world who love you (A.K.A parents/guardians siblings, relatives etc).(2 votes)
- Can you get into an Ivy League University with a 3 for GPA in Freshman year(3 votes)
- Doesn't tuition only exist to make sure college students learn finance skills?(3 votes)
Video transcript
- So I've
just met so many people from around the world, and even around the country. I never would have made friends in, like, Chicago or Switzerland,
and it's just fantastic to understand different world cultures. Yes. And I've learned a lot about myself. I love learning. I had no idea how much I love to learn. I just thought school was school. But in college, I'm there for myself, not because I have to be there. Everything is on you. You're doing it because you want to. You're going to class because you want to, not because you have to. You're doing your homework
because you want to, not because you have to. You're simply taking
notes because you want to. College is just so much... There's so much more freedom, and because of that, you can do so many more things, and there are so many more
doors that open up to you because you're doing
things that you want to do, not being forced to do something.