Step Right Up! Git 'Yer College Education Here!

For the longest time I have been suspicious of the quality of college education. There have been plenty of Americans going to colleges and universities, but I haven't seen much of the amazing futures promised in commencement speeches. In fact, it seems like the vast majority of college graduates exhibit the same small mindedness and lack of imagination of past generations.

Seth Godin seems to agree. In a recent blog post he decries the coming meltdown in higher education. These seem to be his major gripes (mine, too).

1. Most colleges are organized to give an average education to average students.
2. College has gotten expensive far faster than wages have gone up.
3. The definition of 'best' [school] is under siege.
4. The correlation between a typical college degree and success is suspect.
5. Accreditation isn't the solution, it's the problem.

I'd add to that, that I think colleges and universities are far more concerned about their reputations and continued growth than they are their student's educations and futures.

His solution? Get out, meet interesting and effective people. Learn things from them. Use libraries. Gap years, research internships and entrepreneurial or social ventures after (or during) high school are good ideas, too. We're sending our daughter to Costa Rica this summer.

Here's a link to Godin's post on the issue.