Jordyn Aldrich

Mrs. Briggs
ENG 1010 11:30AM
09/24/15
Dum Dums
A response to Colleges Prepare People for Life By Freeman Hrabowski

Freeman Hrabowski wrote a piece that speaks volumes towards the education system and
the benefits of graduating from college. His inspiration was The New York Times illustration
displaying College Is for Suckers. Hrabowski leads with data indicating the fastest growing
job categories require at least a college degree (260) and considers college graduates to be
winners in todays economy. Hrabowski points out that, One strength of American higher
education is the diversity of missions among our 4,700 colleges and universities (260). He
explains the responsibility that lies with students and parents when it comes to seeking
counseling to finding the right school. He distributes that responsibility to higher education in
regards to how they portray what they offer and expect. Hrabowski holds all parties responsible
for passion and direction in the school systems because he believes there are higher education
opportunities for everyone who seeks them.
Mr. Hrabowski sees a college degree as a great achievement; however, the article that
inspired his writing does not share that same perspective. The illustration, College Is for
Suckers is associated with the online article, Saying No to College, written by Alex Williams
in 2012. A majority of this article is compiled of successors whose stories started in a college
setting but did not end with a degree. Hrabowski talks about the thousands of educational
opportunities available; however, for people such as Benjamin Goering, their opportunities are
often met outside of a classroom. At the age of 22, Goering was a degreeless software engineer at
a social-software company, where he worked with fellow college dropouts. Hrabowski shares his

Jordyn Aldrich
Mrs. Briggs
ENG 1010 11:30AM
09/24/15
view that colleges prepare people for life (260) and yet, Goerings degreeless co-workers,
were proud of their real-life lessons on the job (The New York Times). Along with Goering,
Williamss article consists of several people with and without degrees, of all ages, and various
career paths, that provide evidence supporting success outside of a college degree.
Both sides exert solid arguments; however, Williams article seems to be missing the
bigger picture of education. Williamss proclaimed, Risky? Perhaps. But it worked for the
founders of Twitter, Tumblr and a little company known as Apple (The New York Times); this
insinuates that not receiving higher education worked out for these few people so it will work out
for everyone. Williams article does provide living proof of success without degrees; however,
does not portray the likelihood of such achievements. On the other hand, Hrabowski takes actual
data and shares that, college graduates are much more likely to be employed than those with
only a high school diploma and earn substantially higher salaries (260). There is no guarantee
that a person will get a job in the exact field that they studied if they graduate from college;
however, in todays economy, most job require, in general, a bachelors degree at minimum to
even be considered for the position.
Based off of Williams article, it appears that many of his sources found hopelessness in
the education system, ultimately leading to their degreeless success. Some people will succeed
and do well in life without a college degree, as all of Williamss sources can attest for, but the
reality if that the majority of our society will not; there is more to the issue than the idea that
college is wasting time. Williams brings up a great point when he states the fact that, there is
now $1 trillion in outstanding student debt, with $117 billion tacked on last year alone (The
New York Times). This is an extremely valid concern and these numbers are from 2012; image

Jordyn Aldrich
Mrs. Briggs
ENG 1010 11:30AM
09/24/15
the increased debt at this point in time with the growth of people seeking higher education.
Hrabowski points this issue out within the first paragraph of his piece stating, Students are
taking on unmanageable debt (259). This reason alone is why Hrabowski stresses, students
need strong counseling to identify the best possible options (261). The issue that Williams
brings up with student debt and the concern that Hrabowski has with showing each individual
student their options are two concerns for the same cause which is giving everyone the
opportunity to succeed.
Both, Williams and Hrabowski, make valid and educated points; however, I believe
Hrabowski says it all when he states, A job may be the starting point for the good life, but it
shouldnt be the end point (260). To some, a college degree is viewed as a waste of time
because it doesnt provide enough life experience; however, the reality is that it does show an
individuals commitment towards a specific goal and is held to a higher esteem globally.
Obligations, finances, locations, goals, etc., should all be taken into consideration when choosing
an institute of education. Ultimately, the value of higher education is decided by the individual
and, while I do not think that college is always the best option out of high school, I do strongly
encourage every person to pursue a college degree at some point in their lives.

Jordyn Aldrich
Mrs. Briggs
ENG 1010 11:30AM
09/24/15
References:
Graff, G., Birkenstein, C., Durst, R. (2015). They say I say with readings. 3rd edition. NEW
YORK. LONDON. W. W. Norton.
Williams, A. Saying No to College. The New York Times. 30 Nov. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.