On Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:54:11 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:



wrote in message ...

On Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:29:05 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

There are many ways to go to college without having to be in debt for
the rest of your life.
It's just not quite as "easy" and you have to work for it or give
something in return.

I think a big part of the problem is that our dismal K-12 system does
not prepare kids to go to college. They are not academically prepared
or mature enough for the experience so we simply dumb down the
college. Four year degrees typically take 5 years.

We always hear about the GI bill and how that kick started the economy
after WWII but what they don't say is those students were mature war
veterans who did not have time for the foolishness that pervades most
campuses. They went there and studied.

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Couldn't agree more. I started college right after high school at 18
years old. I was not mature enough and frankly didn't really *want*
to go.
So, I dropped out, got a job building Boston Whalers (back when they
were in Rockland, MA) and within 2 months received a draft notice.
This was in 1968. Knowing where I'd be likely heading, I booked it
down to the Navy recruiter and enlisted.

After a very brief exposure to the Vietnam experience, I started
going to school under a military tuition assistance program, while
still on active duty.
I attended classes in local colleges or universities during my time
off at locations that participated in the program. This went on for
the next 9 years and I finished up after being discharged under the GI
bill. Plus, in the field I chose to pursue (electronics engineering)
the electronic schools run by the Navy were actually better than the
ones at the colleges. Much more practical and you weren't carrying a
bunch of electives that had nothing to do with your future career.
Anyway, it worked out great but I had to serve 9 years .... actually
11 years counting two years in the reserves ... to get there.

Looking back now, I wouldn't change it for anything. Many great
experiences, lived in foreign lands absorbing their cultures and was
exposed to a lot more than what you will get in a typical four year
curriculum.

Military tuition. Hmmm.. sounds socialist to me. Of course, we could
reeinstitute the draft. That'll motivate the kids. Sheesh.