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juliannealkire's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm yeah....
I expected to be raising my fist and shouting AMEN! at his analyses of how traditional college is crazy over-priced and instruction on how there are better ways to become employable. But honestly? It was just o.k.
First of all, while he does raise some good/interesting points, the tone of the book sounds mostly like a rant about the poor state of college and the American workforce. He could have held my interest by making his case in fewer words, and writing clearly about what, exactly the powers that be are supposed to do in order to actually fix things. (Assuming they agree with his analysis.)
In the same vein, I felt that it lacked clear direction for students trying to make the best decision about where to go for college. Honestly, if I'd read this book when entering college instead of now, in my senior year, I would have FREAKED because I would have thought I needed to go to trade school and become a welder. The appendixes do remedy this situation somewhat, though, so if you're able to stick it out to the end there's a pot of gold waiting. (Or you could just skip to the end and save yourself some time.)
Finally, there were a few times where he was citing stats that made me scrunch my face in confusion. For example, he used the results of a survey taken at a California university to support his point that "The majority of professors are democrats/die-hard liberals." While I'm not in a position to disagree, it takes a very low level of logical capabilities to realize that this is CALIFORNIA we are talking about. Chances are, a conservative prof isn't going to want to take a position in a public school in California because HELLO BLUE BLUE BLUE STATE FOREVER AMEN. I found these instances (they were few in number, but still present) very ironic since his main gripe with modern universities is that they fail to foster critical thinking.
So, yeah, it was okay. But I had a high hopes for it and I feel a little let down tbh.
I expected to be raising my fist and shouting AMEN! at his analyses of how traditional college is crazy over-priced and instruction on how there are better ways to become employable. But honestly? It was just o.k.
First of all, while he does raise some good/interesting points, the tone of the book sounds mostly like a rant about the poor state of college and the American workforce. He could have held my interest by making his case in fewer words, and writing clearly about what, exactly the powers that be are supposed to do in order to actually fix things. (Assuming they agree with his analysis.)
In the same vein, I felt that it lacked clear direction for students trying to make the best decision about where to go for college. Honestly, if I'd read this book when entering college instead of now, in my senior year, I would have FREAKED because I would have thought I needed to go to trade school and become a welder. The appendixes do remedy this situation somewhat, though, so if you're able to stick it out to the end there's a pot of gold waiting. (Or you could just skip to the end and save yourself some time.)
Finally, there were a few times where he was citing stats that made me scrunch my face in confusion. For example, he used the results of a survey taken at a California university to support his point that "The majority of professors are democrats/die-hard liberals." While I'm not in a position to disagree, it takes a very low level of logical capabilities to realize that this is CALIFORNIA we are talking about. Chances are, a conservative prof isn't going to want to take a position in a public school in California because HELLO BLUE BLUE BLUE STATE FOREVER AMEN. I found these instances (they were few in number, but still present) very ironic since his main gripe with modern universities is that they fail to foster critical thinking.
So, yeah, it was okay. But I had a high hopes for it and I feel a little let down tbh.
melisscharber's review against another edition
5.0
When you read the title of this book your first thought might be is the author going to convince me college is not worth it? Not the case! The book does a great job giving advice on what questions to ask to determine if and what college plan would be right for each person. College shouldn’t be a cookie cutter 4 yr program everyone has to complete with no guarantee of a job and you are left with debt to pay back. This book will be a great reference as we begin to navigate post high school education for our kids.
matthew_p's review against another edition
4.0
If you subtracted Bennett's social conservatism, this would be the perfect book. K-12 education needs to be more rigorous and prepares students for work in the modern world. likewise, universities should do more to cultivate personal development, a la John Stuart Mill. ( I'm a huge fan of Mill.)
Furthermore, we have to stop looking down our noses at skilled employment. Smart people work hard in every field and must be valued for their contributions. Following, there should be clear vocational tracks as valuable culturally and educationally as college.
As for correlating promiscuity with low academic standards, I find that as pernicious as finding all values as meaningless as tribal sexual mores. Common democratic values exist and are vital to our society even if we don't agree on the "right" ways to express human sexuality.
Furthermore, we have to stop looking down our noses at skilled employment. Smart people work hard in every field and must be valued for their contributions. Following, there should be clear vocational tracks as valuable culturally and educationally as college.
As for correlating promiscuity with low academic standards, I find that as pernicious as finding all values as meaningless as tribal sexual mores. Common democratic values exist and are vital to our society even if we don't agree on the "right" ways to express human sexuality.
ivydally's review
3.0
Whenever a book title contains a question, I always feel like a review should answer said question. I want to know. Is College Worth It?
Answer: It depends.
Ok, well props to Bennett for looking at both sides of the issues and presenting facts and statistics that show our perceptions of what a degree will grant us are different from the realities of life after graduating. He rallies against the ease in which one can obtain a loan in the six figures with no collateral, he presents statistics that show most graduates of four year programs aren't ready for the workforce at all, and because it is easy for students to get loans colleges spend the tuition income they receive in irresponsible ways.
If you want to be a doctor, an engineer, or work in the technology field, get those loans. Art history? Nope. (Trust me on that!)
He promotes the idea that blue-collar work is honest, that community colleges have great vocational programs, and that we need more apprenticeships in the US. Bravo!
Bennett definitely has a conservative bias, which rankled me a little when he belittled women's studies and other identity-type courses. He claims that we should focus first on being Americans, that we are all one.
Bennett, I know you wrote this book before the election of Trump, but puh-lease. You have to address the inequalities in order to right the wrongs. I do agree with you, however, that taking out a huge loan to study these inequalities is ridiculous, especially since the type of employment that would take on these issues probably doesn't pay much at all.
A good read overall. Recommended for parent with students in high school or adults contemplating going into more debt to go back to school.
Answer: It depends.
Ok, well props to Bennett for looking at both sides of the issues and presenting facts and statistics that show our perceptions of what a degree will grant us are different from the realities of life after graduating. He rallies against the ease in which one can obtain a loan in the six figures with no collateral, he presents statistics that show most graduates of four year programs aren't ready for the workforce at all, and because it is easy for students to get loans colleges spend the tuition income they receive in irresponsible ways.
If you want to be a doctor, an engineer, or work in the technology field, get those loans. Art history? Nope. (Trust me on that!)
He promotes the idea that blue-collar work is honest, that community colleges have great vocational programs, and that we need more apprenticeships in the US. Bravo!
Bennett definitely has a conservative bias, which rankled me a little when he belittled women's studies and other identity-type courses. He claims that we should focus first on being Americans, that we are all one.
Bennett, I know you wrote this book before the election of Trump, but puh-lease. You have to address the inequalities in order to right the wrongs. I do agree with you, however, that taking out a huge loan to study these inequalities is ridiculous, especially since the type of employment that would take on these issues probably doesn't pay much at all.
A good read overall. Recommended for parent with students in high school or adults contemplating going into more debt to go back to school.
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