College Essay

AP English Language

09.30.14

College Essay

Many students currently face the dilemma of whether or not going to a four year college or university is worth the cost. In this day and age, the price to go and attend a college or university continues to rise at a steep incline. The current debate revolves around the reason that the price you pay to attend college, in both time and money, will be advantageous to you in your future. At first thought, it would seem that going to college wasn't really worth it in the long run. You spend thousands of dollars and quite a few years to get “properly educated.” However, what good is this proper education? Would it help in earning a job? “Now, with unemployment expected to remain above 8% well into 2014, it will be many years before young college graduates – or any workers – see substantial wage growth.” (Chart) This would make one believe that college wasn't worth the trouble. Nevertheless, earning a higher education, by attending a four year college or university, is beneficial and worth the energy and financial trouble.

Even with unemployment rates on the rise in the United States and elsewhere, most of the unemployed are without the earlier stated “proper education”. “College graduates, though hardly immune from the downturn, are also far less likely to be unemployed than non- graduates.” (Leonhardt) This gives a glimpse of hope to college graduates, showing that they have a higher rate of employment than that of a mere high school graduate. Graduating from a college also gives a person the chance of making more money than they would have with a lesser education. (Pew) “Adults who graduated from a four year college believe that, on average, they are earning $20,000 more a year as a result of having gotten that degree. Adults who did not attend college believe that, on average, they are earning $20,000 less as a result. These matched estimates by the public are very close to the median gap in annual earnings between a high school and college graduate as reported by the US Census Bureau in 2010: $19, 550. A more detailed Pew Research Center analysis … shows that this gap varies by type of degree and field of study.” This shows that people with college degrees essentially earn a much higher income than those without.

College also offers you both intellectual growth and experience, rather than just the intellectual growth that many would assume. Statistics show that most four- year college graduates don't regret attending college and view their experience as constructive. “Among survey respondents who graduated from a four- year college, 74% say their college education was very useful in helping them grow intellectually...” (Pew) When applying for a real- world job, employers look for certain skills as well as education levels in their potential employees. Going to a four- year college or university helps you obtain these certain skills. Be as it may, these skills are not obtained through attending classes or courses. They are gained from life experiences, and going to college is considered a major life experience. You get to begin your maturity in the ability to care for yourself and become responsible for your own life. Graduating from a college helps you grow in intellect, work ethic, and is, overall, valuable in leading a successful life.