Why People Really Go to College

Why People Really Go to College

Christopher Caldwell, author of the New York Times article “What a College Education Buys,” believes many people attend college for the wrong reasons. He says college is overrated and that many go just to socialize or to find a partner (214). He also states if you are going to college to obtain a liberal arts degree and not Phd, education may not be worth all the studying or the money many parents pay (214-215). He goes on to say even though college is expensive, degrees are becoming too obtainable and having a degree would ultimately not be worth anything (214-215). Although many may agree with Caldwell’s opinions on a college education not being worth the time or money, there are many who obtain a degree for financial reasons, to reach personal goals, or because of parental pressure.

Take Laura, all she wanted in life was to become a wife and a stay at home mom. It was not long before she had it all a husband, a two-year-old son, and a baby on the way. Then, without any warning, her life was turned upside down when her husband became extremely ill and passed away a few days later. In the midst of grieving, she began to wonder how she was going to raise two children without a husband and no college education. She decided going to college was the only way she would be able to adequately provide for her children. She applied and was accepted to North Carolina University. Upon graduating, she obtained a position with the Gulford County School System teaching high school English. Now, fifteen years later, she is returning to college to obtain her master’s degree. If she is asked the question Caldwell poses in his article, “What the hell are you going to do with a [master’s] degree in English?” (215) she can say continue to provide for my family the best way I know how.

Another reason some people go to college is to accomplish personal goals. Becoming a nurse has always been my life-long goal. After high school, I went to...