How Much Did You Pay For Your College Education?

[HeHateMe]

Between academic and athletic scholarships I didn't pay anything for undergrad.

For my post graduate degrees I paid out of pocket upwards of about 40k over the last 6 years.

What sort of athletic scholarship did you receive?

 

[FirstTimer]

I've heard that it can be a pretty smooth path for a female to get into a STEM program?

If you're a woman going into the STEM field there is all sorts of "free money" sitting out there. My fiance's daughter is really into STEM(coding) and crossing out fingers that continues to be the case because lots of scholarship money out there for it.

 

[FirstTimer]

What sort of athletic scholarship did you receive?

XC and Track.

Had some small school basketball offers but passed them up.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

It's been devalued that way, but the perception behind it hasn't. Ideally, this change in thinking should start at the high school level. All too often the focus in high school is on standardized testing (because that's how you get money) rather than focusing on specific skills. There's some progress to get away from it, but imo, educational thinking is way too archaic. In my perfect world, high schools offer a wider array of options post high school. Whether that be college prep, vocational prep, military, or a mix that combines all three. Unfortunately, vocational prep is going away in many places, and the focus is college or bust.

I'll give an example: recently had two former students visit over Thanksgiving. One wanted to get into the trades, and is going to school for HVAC. Between school and his apprenticeship he's doing well. He's making money, school is being paid for, and he isn't worrying about bills. The other is a college graduate working at a cell phone store with student loans to pay off.

Which would you prefer for your child?

 

[FirstTimer]

It's been devalued that way, but the perception behind it hasn't. Ideally, this change in thinking should start at the high school level. All too often the focus in high school is on standardized testing (because that's how you get money) rather than focusing on specific skills. There's some progress to get away from it, but imo, educational thinking is way too archaic. In my perfect world, high schools offer a wider array of options post high school. Whether that be college prep, vocational prep, military, or a mix that combines all three. Unfortunately, vocational prep is going away in many places, and the focus is college or bust.

Pretty much this. Honestly, it seeps down to even the secondary level. A lot of the curriculum out there right now is just garbage. Engage NY sucks. I think a college degree is still an amazingly useful tool but I always tell kids I coach that a degree many times is only as strong as the internships and professional development you do while still in college pursuing that degree.

 

[FirstTimer]

I'll give an example: recently had two former students visit over Thanksgiving. One wanted to get into the trades, and is going to school for HVAC. Between school and his apprenticeship he's doing well. He's making money, school is being paid for, and he isn't worrying about bills. The other is a college graduate working at a cell phone store with student loans to pay off.

Which would you prefer for your child?

Depends on the major and the work ethic of the student too. Lots of variables here. I know students who got into the trades and bombed out because they thought it would easy union money and could just coast for years. Mentality matters a lot as well.

 

[HeHateMe]

If you're a woman going into the STEM field there is all sorts of "free money" sitting out there. My fiance's daughter is really into STEM(coding) and crossing out fingers that continues to be the case because lots of scholarship money out there for it.

Neat. My daughter started coding this year. Shes only eight so there's no guarantee she sticks with it for the next 8 years but if she does there's a good chance college would only be neccessary for the "experience"

 

[FirstTimer]

Neat. My daughter started coding this year. Shes only eight so there's no guarantee she sticks with it for the next 8 years but if she does there's a good chance college would only be neccessary for the "experience"

It's the "Year of the Robot" at our house for Christmas. All she wants is robots to code with. Need some gift ideas? lol

Helps too that my VP actually works for a Girl's STEM organization to get girls and women into the field and one of my best friends codes for living.

 

[brett05]

Wut?

I don't see the correlation that you need to devalue College so that other avenues that do not involve College can be valued.

I think the need to still push college and at that more than just the masters is needed even more today than in the past. I say that thanks to automation taking away more and more jobs that did not require college.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Depends on the major and the work ethic of the student too. Lots of variables here. I know students who got into the trades and bombed out because they thought it would easy union money and could just coast for years. Mentality matters a lot as well.

Of course, there are always going to be a ton of factors that come in to play.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I don't see the correlation that you need to devalue College to that other avenues that do not involve College can be valued.

I think the need to still push college and at that more than just the masters is needed even more today than in the past. I say that thanks to automation taking away more and more jobs that did not require college.

First off, I'm having a hard time with that first sentence.

Second, it was the "Yours in Christ, Michael" that I was "wut'ing."

Third, I have a hard time pushing college when I teach low income students who are going to be saddled with the debt of college, and with no guarantee that their degree is going to give them the success that others say it will. I try as hard as I can to be realistic with my students.

 

[HeHateMe]

It's the "Year of the Robot" at our house for Christmas. All she wants is robots to code with. Need some gift ideas? lol

Helps too that my VP actually works for a Girl's STEM organization to get girls and women into the field and one of my best friends codes for living.

Nice. As far as gift ideas, I'm looking for something "remedial" that combines coding and art. My daughter is gifted artistically and something like that could really cement the tech side for someone who tends to speed through assignments just to create time to sketch random stuff...

 

[brett05]

First off, I'm having a hard time with that first sentence.

Second, it was the "Yours in Christ, Michael" that I was "wut'ing."

Third, I have a hard time pushing college when I teach low income students who are going to be saddled with the debt of college, and with no guarantee that their degree is going to give them the success that others say it will. I try as hard as I can to be realistic with my students.

1 I fixed the to. it should have been so
2 Thought I was typing an email when I was in a CCS thread
3 There are degrees that will take time to gain back their investments in college. Most are not like that. Some short term debt can lead into a longer and much more fulfilling and financially rewarding career. Again not for everyone, but should still be the emphasis as more and more jobs that do not require a college education disappear to automation and tech advancements.

 

[FirstTimer]

First off, I'm having a hard time with that first sentence.

Second, it was the "Yours in Christ, Michael" that I was "wut'ing."

Third, I have a hard time pushing college when I teach low income students who are going to be saddled with the debt of college, and with no guarantee that their degree is going to give them the success that others say it will. I try as hard as I can to be realistic with my students.

This. Kind of tough to push college when most kids think they are going "to the League or bust". I don't think people understand this isn't a stereotype, it's a legit mindset in schools of kids I coach/teach/and my fiance teaches.

 

[HeHateMe]

I don't see the correlation that you need to devalue College so that other avenues that do not involve College can be valued.

I think the need to still push college and at that more than just the masters is needed even more today than in the past. I say that thanks to automation taking away more and more jobs that did not require college.

Did you go on to get a degree post hs?

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

It's the "Year of the Robot" at our house for Christmas. All she wants is robots to code with. Need some gift ideas? lol

Helps too that my VP actually works for a Girl's STEM organization to get girls and women into the field and one of my best friends codes for living.

https://www.kodewithklossy.com/

You might get a chance to hang out with a supermodel.

 

[HeHateMe]

1 I fixed the to. it should have been so
2 Thought I was typing an email when I was in a CCS thread
3 There are degrees that will take time to gain back their investments in college. Most are not like that. Some short term debt can lead into a longer and much more fulfilling and financially rewarding career. Again not for everyone, but should still be the emphasis as more and more jobs that do not require a college education disappear to automation and tech advancements.

:aj:

 

[FirstTimer]

1 I fixed the to. it should have been so
2 Thought I was typing an email when I was in a CCS thread
3 There are degrees that will take time to gain back their investments in college. Most are not like that. Some short term debt can lead into a longer and much more fulfilling and financially rewarding career. Again not for everyone, but should still be the emphasis as more and more jobs that do not require a college education disappear to automation and tech advancements.

I think you're conflating trades works with factory work. Those are two entirely different things.

 

[FirstTimer]

https://www.kodewithklossy.com/

You might get a chance to hang out with a supermodel.

"It's ok honey, I'll drop her off at camp no problem"




GET IN THE CAR NOW!

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Nice. As far as gift ideas, I'm looking for something "remedial" that combines coding and art. My daughter is gifted artistically and something like that could really cement the tech side for someone who tends to speed through assignments just to create time to sketch random stuff...

Just have her make a video game like Fortnight.