This entry is one of those thoughts that occurred to me in the shower! Sometimes I compose a whole essay in my head as I shower in the morning. If I don't write down what the thought was as soon as I'm done it's gone. This particular idea came to me in response to an earlier conversation with a friend who is convinced children need to attend the "right" college.
What is the "right" college? I've posed this when talking to many of the parents in my area since it seems to be a major topic of conversation. Kids are pressured to apply to colleges they aren't even interested in because you need to try to get into the "right" college. Between my two sons there were a total of 5 college applications while most of their classmates applied to a minimum of 10 each! We live in the NE and almost of the appropriate choices are private and very expensive. My children did not see the need to apply to these (in my opinion) over-rated/overpriced colleges/universities. My older son did attend a small private college but the fit was perfect since it was filled with geeky/nerdy students with whom he identified. He's proud to be nerdy, got a very good scholarship, and graduated with aerospace engineering degree. My younger son attends a state university that he decided he liked by their recruiting video! It was the only university he applied to and he had done the research to know he would be accepted and he qualified for one of their merit scholarships which he received. He is on track to graduate next year with a physics engineering degree. I think he'd rather be closer to home but he's making it work.
I grew up in the south and the only options discussed were state universities. There was no talk of a private college so you chose your university by the football team you supported! That may not be totally true but for some families you would be disowned if you attended the "wrong" university. I attended the University of Florida (NOT Florida State) and loved getting out and into a new world. It wasn't the right time for me so I quit after two years (I did receive an Associates Degree so returning was easy). When I returned in my late 20s I was ready to focus and get that degree. Guess what -- I don't believe I've ever been asked what college I attended to validate my worth in my career or life.
What concerns me is the pressure that high school children are being put under when the reputation or name is more important than the personal fit. I'm sure those Ivy League schools have good professors but so do the colleges and universities that aren't as well known. If I want a cut-throat, better-than-you environment it might be a good match but I don't think it would make much difference 10 years down the road. To add to the stress there seems to be only one direction being offered to the high school students -- four year colleges. Our world is changing so fast and the careers are very different from when I graduated. Many of our most famous business moguls dropped out of those "right" universities and pursued their visions to great success. I don't believe there is one right way yet my generation seems stuck on pushing the next generation on the same route of 30 years ago. There has to be a better way to guide our children and ensure their success as adults in this ever changing world.
This is the first "shower rant" I've actually jotted down in a journal and then taken to the page! I think I'll keep a special shower journal in the bathroom just so I can capture these DEEP thoughts that occur while I luxuriate in my very hot, very tiny shower!
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