College/University?

[xenon200]

I'm a HS student right now, and sometime this year I'll have to decide whether or not I want to go to a college or university as far as furthering myself by post-secondary education.

My main plan for a while has been to start my own business - as per that's what I truly want to do - and think I could do very well at it. But in a world where it seems that those who don't further their education are regarded as lazy a**es - is this a wise move?

Some have suggested that I go to University part time, and do the business thing on the side - which I regard as ridiculous. If I'm going to do my own business, it'd have to be a highly involved, 7 day a week committment. And if I did ever decide to go to University, it would have to be just as much of a committment - as per I'd demand good grades from myself. So, combining the two just wouldn't work.

What do you guys think?

~x2

[Mike]

All I can say is good luck, and I suggest going to a local college just to get some sort of degree, as a fall back plan.
What kind of business do you plan on starting?

[daveleau]

It depends on how lucrative your business would be. Does it have its own niche, or would you have tons of competition. Do you have something to add that the other companies don't? do you have the capital needed to start the business (licenses and materials)?

College is not an end-all, be-all need for success. Many have succeeded without college, although it is a vast minority. Also, many have failed to be successful that go to college. College is a great help in getting jobs and would be the normally recommended course unless something extraordinary were to present itself. I would think about the potential of the business in realistic terms (not best case or "this could happen"). Talk to some people who have their own businesses and see what they needed to get started and what pitfalls to look out for.

It is getting harder and harder to make a good stable living in today's world without a college degree (or heck without a Masters even).

[xenon200]

It is getting harder and harder to make a good stable living in today's world without a college degree (or heck without a Masters even).

Yeah, and that sucks. How the hell is someone supposed to pay for all this schooling? My parents are there - but considering how much a good degree(s) costs nowadays, that's still a hefty burden to put on them, regardless as to whether or not they've spent time saving up for an education. And considering that you're likely not going to get any $100,000 a year job while in college, you're not going to be paying for it yourself.

Sorry - but it really just kills me. I know too many good people with even basic college educations that are still struggling in debt because of it. Most of which, especially the moderately younger ones - whom aren't even close to paying it off.

~x2

[Emc2]

Being a computer engineering major, I'll say just a few things...

A Bachelor of Science in Comp. Engr'ing is like graduating from h/s.
A Master's in CE is like graduating from college with a B.S.
A doctoral degree finally gets you noticed. By this time you're working on 30 yrs. old, at least...

If your ENTIRE LIFE / EFFORT isn't in the business, it will fail, no matter what degree you have. You're in college to LEARN, so don't just do things to get grades!

How do I pay? Scholarships pay for the tuition/fees, and I have 2 seperate job (plus freelance website work) to pay for room/board, and expenses. I get absolutely no money from either parent, since one of them can't pay due to money problems and the other doesn't pay even when she promises to...

You can do it without loans, etc...you just have to find the will to finish it.

[xenon200]

I would. I just don't want to throw my youth away so that I can PAY (dearly) to go to school for 6 .. 7 .. 8.. 9?!! .. 10!??!!?? years so that I can get a "good" education only to go out into the market and make a measly $100,000 a year. No thanks.

~x2

[samwichse]

What were your grades in school?

If you've got good high school grades, frankly there's no reason you couldn't go to college full time for free.

That's what I've done, and if nothing else, you can have 4 years of fun. College is nothing like high school at all, and I've loved it. Wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

And while this is happening, you can catch a top quality education. I'm coming out with a B.S. (hah) in forestry, and plan to get a masters (necessary for a decent job in this field).

Scholarships ARE NOT HARD TO GET. You only have to look.

So GO LOOK!

Sam

[xenon200]

My grades have always been average. ~ 80% average, honor roll. However, my Math grades have always sufferred. (Typically in 55 ~ 65 range... )

Most of my sciences, as well as any subjective classes (Englishes, Psychology, etc.) have always been pretty good.

~x2

[Toddly]

Originally posted by xenon200

My main plan for a while has been to start my own business - as per that's what I truly want to do - and think I could do very well at it.

Sounds to me like you have answered your question. If that is what you truly believe then who cares about what other people think.

[xenon200]

Sounds to me like you have answered your question. If that is what you truly believe then who cares about what other people think.

Yeah, that's what I've been telling myself. Here's the way I look at it - I'll go at it for 6 months to a year after HS. If it happens to not work out, which I somewhat doubt would happen - I think I'd know that things just won't work by the end of the first year.

So if so - what would be stopping me from just going to College after that? I see it no differently than someone who wants to take a year off between HS and College. Other than the fact that my time would be used productively - as a probationary period to test my business idea.

Thanks!

~x2