College Future Success

The Effect of College Choice on Future Success Around half of students get jobs out of college (Wei). That is an frightful statistic that inclines people to conceive that attending a more competitive college is necessary to job attainment. Each American dreams of becoming a successful person, one who reaches their goals, maybe has a family, and a steady income. Some seem to regard that in order to reach that level of success they must attend an elite school, a school that is usually private, and only admits fewer than ten percent of applicants. The Ivy league receives much attention among the elite schools. “Only 0.4 percent of undergraduates attend one of the Ivy League schools... too much attention is paid to these eight institutions” (O'Shaughnessy).

Many people look at success in terms of potential earnings, which they believe defines success. Success is actually defined as, “the accomplishment of one's goals” for some that may be wealth others it is to have a happy and healthy family or help the world in a meaningful way. Elite colleges may not even get you the money that you dreamed of, Economists Alan Krueger and Stacy Berg Dale ,"Concluded in 1999 that students accepted into elite colleges, but chose 'moderately selective' schools, were doing just as well in income roughly 20 years after graduating"(Kingkade). The school you go to will not affect your income, but it will affect your development. It can change the way you think, and give you new important skills. Many students will end up graduating without a job, in fact more than 4 out of 5 students will be without a job after graduating (Svrluga). This is a sad reality that college graduates face. Many question if going to any college is worth it at all. We live in a more competitive society where it is every man for themselves. We also wonder if attending a public or private college will change those numbers. There are of course pros and cons to each school, and what is important is your development, and that you enjoy the

There is a constant myth that going to an elite school will make you successful, and that myth should be abolished. Public schools offer great skill development at an affordable price. Private schools are ranked highly, but may not be worth the money, and the effort in the long run. Overall anyone can be successful, but for the most part they need to attend a college that will develop them, and prepare them for life with a job. The stress of college decision is especially high in the United States where people from around the school don’t have the same myth, and are less stressed about the decision. Americans should adopt this same attitude, and become a little less stressed when it comes to schools, and life in general. The important thing is that you continue to challenge yourself, and craft new important