Ditch the “Right-College” Obsession

Does the "right college" matter?

How does your college-bound child know if they're choosing the right college? What research have they shown you? Of course, nobody can rationally choose the "right" program unless they are really sure about their major and career path.

If you're not paying anything, who cares? If you ARE paying some or most, YOU should care. So before you accept your child's choice of the "right" college, find out what career they're pursuing. What criteria or recommendations are they basing their choice?

Prestige or Tradition -- Your Idea?

Some parents may "push" the college they attended. Is that really smart? Times and cost were radically different than today. Is the college still good? After two decades, programs can change dramatically. There is often considerable turnover in professors and staffing. What was once world-class research can have funding discontinued.

Hey, if you are wealthy, go ahead. Maybe you'll want to make a big contribution, too.

Is your Kid's college choice about something ELSE?

• Are they just following their friends? That's a reason for you to pay their way??
• Are they attending a college to be away from your prying eyes? That will boost your cost.
• Are they "following" their romantic interest to their preferred college? Now there's a distraction.
• Are they attending a college near the beach (or other preferred locale)? What a life!
• Are they attending a "party" college? I hope studying doesn't interrupt their fun times.

What matters MORE than the "right college"

The right college does no good if your child chooses an “unemployable” major; or never earns a college degree (a significant percentage).   It won’t help if your college-bound child has inaccurate, unplanned, or extremely unrealistic views about a career.  Your child's success depends largely on their ability, aptitude, and effort. If they lack those, no amount of college will help them.  If they can't create real value, no degree will get them a job.

Forget about wasting your money to “bribe your child’s way” into the “perfect” college.  (You’ll avoid jail-time as well!)

A degree may be necessary for specific occupations and professions, such as engineering, law, medicine, counseling, or teaching.  Simply getting into the “best” university does not guarantee success. For many graduates, part-time jobs are common, even in the degree field.

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Call to Action

First, your child needs to have realistic career ideas. Then determine if college is required.
College is an expensive way to find out they:
          Didn't need the degree
          Couldn't finish the degree (with lots of debt; or less retirement for you -- or both)
          Can't find a job in their major (wasted degree?)
          Hate the career resulting from the degree
          Can't succeed because they lack skills or aptitudes not teachable by "classes."
Each of the above "stages" has probabilities, not guarantees! Many high school graduates fail in one of those five critical areas.

Do you want to gamble years of paying their college tuition for a poor career bet?   
Outsmart College and the Contribution Project will provide the answers! Stay tuned for the next post.
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If you are interested in REAL career prep for your child, contact me NOW!