Preview

Composition I Essay on Caroline Bird's "The Case Against College".

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
719 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Composition I Essay on Caroline Bird's "The Case Against College".
The Case Against College

In "The Case Against College", Caroline Bird questions the necessity of college and the education it provides. She states that college is accepted--without question. She holds that conventional wisdom and evidence show all high school graduates will be more responsible, and better than those who do not go. Bird's column is devoted to tearing down the college institution. She fails to recognize the many benefits and purposes of college.

Bird points out that there are many college graduates selling shoes and driving cabs. She fails to mention that there are many college graduates doing medical research, managing corporations, teaching children and practicing law. She writes, "We've been told that young people have to go to college because our economy can't absorb an army of untrained eighteen-year-olds." (pg. 39). But, where did this info come from? Is this fact or opinion? She goes on to say, "But disillusioned graduates are learning that it can no longer absorb an army of trained twenty-two-year-olds, either...." (pg. 40). The world is going to 'absorb' these people whether they attend college or not, no matter what their age. Isn't it better that they are absorbed with some training and education that goes beyond the basics of high school? I think so. I think a college education does create a better person.

With the exception of certain majors and fields of study such as law or medicine, college does not necessarily prepare a person for any vocation. College teaches an individual to develop his or her ability to learn. The mind is much like the muscles of our bodies; it needs to be taxed in order to improve. College offers the opportunity to develop study skills, explore the arts, religion, philosophy and science. It causes people to examine more closely that which they take at face value. Aren't most Americans misled about the history of our country? Secondary school teaches us to be patriotic. Black involvement in our history barely

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In her article “Two Years Are Better Than Four Years,” Liz Addision, a product of the community college system, defends the merits of these open systems of learning. Community colleges admit anyone. While some see this as a detriment to education, Addison sees it as a benefit because it allows a greater number of people to acquire knowledge and hone their critical thinking skills. “The philosophy of the community college...is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin” (Addison 212). The people who attend community college are attending by choice rather than by obligation, as might be true of a traditional school setting.…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Colleges Prepare People for Life by Charles Murray, it is argued that college prepares people for a job after graduation, but above a career, it prepares people to achieve a successful life. An excellent, satisfying job is only the beginning of the benefits that college may offer. Individuals because of college are faced with countless possibilities compared to those who never attend.…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Larry Cuban, a former social studies high school teacher, superintendent, manages to compress the mantra that has been repeated for several of years with his article entitled, “Why Everyone Shouldn’t Go To College”. He accomplishes this by giving us countless of interesting facts about the reality of college and life. He argues that the annual college tuition seems to be extremely expensive, that may not worth the amount of money you’re paying.In addition, he makes note that college graduates working at manufacturing places that don’t need college diplomas, in order to complete their job. Furthermore, he makes clear that one might be a high school dropout or graduate of high school and can still be highly…

    • 117 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In her essay “Who Needs College?” Linda Lee addresses the issue of whether or not a college education is necessary in order to have a successful life. Lee believes that too much importance is placed on going away to school and getting a degree when it is very possible to find a job and learn valuable life lessons without it. While many would strongly oppose her position on this topic, it has been proven time and time again by numerous individuals that a bright future is well within reach without having to obtain a degree.…

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Whether college matters to people or not, the purpose of college is to prepare students of their career and in all areas of life. Liz Addison is known for her essay published on “New York Times” in two thousand and seven called, “Two Years Are Better Than Four”, which it became a runner up for an essay contest. “Two Years Are Better Than Four” is a response to Rick Perlstein’s essay “What’s the Matter with College?”. Perlstein’s argument in “What’s the Matter with College?” is that college don’t matter and that it ends in America, but Addison opposed the statements elaborating on how college isn’t going anywhere and that it matters for the future. Addison is a writer who graduated in community college of Southern Maine and Piedmont Virginia…

    • 213 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the article “College is a Safe Bet,” the author focuses mostly on the broader picture of student as a whole when it comes to college. Most of the article focuses on how and why students are questioning a college degree. The author states that “the rising college tuition, combined with slim job prospects, are leaving families with the impression that the risks associated with attending college are beginning to outweigh the rewards” (Morgan). She goes on to say that even thou we should think about these things because it “encourages students to make more thoughtful, informed decisions and pressure the policymakers to keep all colleges high quality and affordable” (Morgan). As a whole the article is effective in persuading the audience to see college as a go to option for most students.…

    • 691 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many reasons why people go to college. College plays a role a student’s life, one of these roles are to help get students a better job that pays them a lot but that isn’t the only reason. According to Melisa McCreery “Higher education provides a number of benefits; most notably to the nation’s economic stability and job creation, civic engagement, and pulling students from low socioeconomic situation and landing them securely in middle class America.” In other words college is to help better a student’s life as well as to help them be able to contribute to society positively. College also provides many classes that can help students achieve their full potential when they are out in the world as well and making you better understand the world. According to Robert Harris these classes are liberal arts classes. Although you might argue that you don’t need these classes for many majors by them self but Harris explains to you the benefits that taking a…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In discussion of colleges importance, one controversial issue has been on how much it really matters. On the one hand, college supporters argue that college is very important and can help one achieve a prosperous future. On the other hand, college detractors contend that college is a waste of time and not useful in the long run. My own view is that college can be useful when people use it in the right way; to gain a degree, and not just to party.…

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many people in the U.S. have different views on whether college education is worth it. To some people college education is the gateway to a better life and a future but, to some they are able to become successful without a college degree. A degree from college shows how intelligent that person may be. It may also show how wealthy and elite they are. As for people without attending college demonstrate how uncivilized they are. Or so they say. Some degree pays for themselves off some don’t. The debate over if college education is worth it may have begun when the colonialist arrived from Europe and founded “New College” in 1636. People who argue that college is worth it contend that college graduates have higher employment rates, bigger salaries, and more work benefits than high school graduates. They say college graduates also have better interpersonal skill, live longer, have healthier children, and have proven their ability to achieve a major milestone. People who argue that college is not worth it content that the debt from college loans is too high and delays graduates from saving for retirement, buying a house, or even getting married. They say many successful people never graduated from college. Colonial colleges were mainly founded and attended by wealthy Puritans, and followed the models of…

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I agree with this site's view of the purpose of college. The author said that college isn't all about the classes and education but it is about the exposer to new cultural ideas and people which, i agree with but i am paying for these classes not for the exposer to new things. I believe that if I was looking to expose myself to new cultures I should travel and learn about several different cultures. The new experiences from college causes many people to mature and prepares them for the real world. College also gives many the degree they need to pursue the career they want. The author didn't offer any counter argument and it didn't give a reason as to why college wasn't necessary in today's…

    • 128 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    College is beneficial to people that attend college then the people that don’t, because it extends what people may or may not know about the careers they’re going into. If people don’t know certain procedures, they might be putting a company at risk. Everyone needs a refresher even if they think they know, because you never know what new and exciting things you might learn when you're in college.…

    • 918 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Charles Murray’s work “Are Too Many People Going to College”, first published in The American September 8, 2008, he asks that very vital question: Are too many attending college? To fully grasp what is meant by this question one must take into account all major factors of a college education and career opportunities elsewhere. Murray believes that, “To ask whether too many people are going to college requires us to think about the importance and nature of liberal education” (222). The author states that the knowledge many students strive to learn in college is something that should already be known. According to Murray, “K-8 are the right years to teach the core knowledge” (224). In other words, Murray is saying that liberal arts should have had a strong foundation starting in elementary school, so by the time one who still needs to pursue college will be able to grasp the harder material. Even so, Murray suggests all people who have the academic ability should not try to get a liberal arts college education. Many people who have the intelligence to understand the material presented to them, may not enjoy actually doing the work. (227) Another valid point Murray brings up is the social expectation and status that comes with a college education. Throughout his essay presents strong arguments in which I agree. Not everyone should go to college because not every individual benefits from it. Some people may not have the time, money or ability to enjoy college. Others may just be going to college because it is the societal norm or to gain prestige.…

    • 1118 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    why college

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages

    College is not just a choice, it's the beginning of a lifelong journey, one that will shape and determine future choices, decisions and purposes. My parents have always instilled the fundamental groundwork that the start of a successful life begins with going to college. My mother received her Bachelors of Science, and my father served in the Army for six active years. Growing up as a child I knew I had no choice but to go to college. A college education is important to improve my chance at getting my dream job; also to give my family a better life. It will help me to improve myself and become a more prepared person when stepping out into the “real” world.…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Importance of College

    • 1489 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Typically, today’s belief about college is that it provides better economic benefits. These benefits could be higher status jobs and better pay. These beliefs stem from many sources. Every year, newspaper and television would feature stories about…

    • 1489 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Eagle eye

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The audience of, “Why College is a Waste of Time and Money,” speaks out to a variety of people. The audiences include: current college students, parents, academic researchers, high school students, and any people who believe in the current college system. All of these groups of people are spoken to in Bird’s essay because she is striving to inform on how college is quickly becoming sidetracked from its main goal, to educate.…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays