Crooked Baltimore Mayor taking leave of absence......

[BernieP]

When enrolled in CCCC which eventually spawned CSM, a "professor" had listed as required material, a book written by a colleague of his. The lemming that I was as a teenager, I purchased the required material for ~$100. In the course of the class there was one question on one quiz that referenced one sentence about 1/2 way through the 200+ page book. From that day forward I knew that college was a money making racket and nothing more. I learned you have to pay to play.

It's worse when you go to a major university, one that is nationally recognized. FULL professors can be complete horse crap to students because they bring in tons of money for research. So of course they want "their book" used for the class "they teach". Both their book and teaching are crappy.

College, like any school is what you make of it, how much you invest in learning.
If you take basket weaving 101, then it's a waste of money.
My recommendation is that if the student isn't sure what they want to do or isn't really mature, go to the CC and get the prerequisit courses knocked out. The good thing in MD is that the CC and the UMD system are linked so you can do that.

 

[Hannibal]

Biggest racket with college books is that they constantly "update" the books each year. So, you enter into a class, drop $200 on the required course material. Take the class and essentially use the book for nothing. Go to return the book (I've even had books with the original packaging in place) to the book shop where they will purchase the "used" book from you" for $10. When you plead that the book is in mint condition - unopened and all - they will tell you there is a new edition that is replacing it. That new edition is often the updating of a paragraph or the correction of a typo. By the end of college, I wouldn't purchase most of my books until a point where it became clear they would be used and provide some concrete value.

 

[Hannibal]

And while Chuck U (or CSM now) used to have this bad rep, it's transitioned honestly (and even before was unfair). I know A LOT of people who weren't interested in going away to college (not ready yet, financial issues, undecided career path, etc.) and it was perfect for them. When I graduated HS (mid-90's), it was highly regarded for it's nursing program and IT courses. I also believe it drew a lot of interest for it's political/criminal justice stuff with a lot of people getting two-year degrees and then heading into the police/agencies.

Nowadays, and what will most certainly be the case in my household with my kids (pending scholarships, etc.) will be my kids spending their first two years at CSM (or similar), completing many of their prerequisites and fully committing to a career plan. At that point, transferring to a 4-year program makes much more sense (financially, structure, focus, maturity, etc.).

Four year institutions are quickly out pricing their value. People are committing to $100k+ educations that are financed over many many years and the payoff is being able to teach a bunch of F'd up elementary kids while making $35k year and paying for classroom supplies out of your own pocket. A weighted example of course but the payoff isn't worth the investment for a lot of colleges and the obtained degrees anymore.

 

[PrchJrkr]

My mother told me long ago that there are some people in life that are so unhappy with their own lives, that they want to drag you into their misery. Don't be mad at them, feel sorry for them that they aren't as happy with their lives as you are. It must suck to be THAT unhappy with their lot in life.

 

[PrchJrkr]

My brother attended CCCC to obtain an AA in computer programming, transferred to UMBC and finished his BA. He's quite happy with his crappy degree that got him across the 6 figure threshold around 20 years ago. With being frugal and making good investments, he's looking forward to a VERY comfortable retirement.

 

[Monello]

Nowadays, and what will most certainly be the case in my household with my kids (pending scholarships, etc.) will be my kids spending their first two years at CSM (or similar), completing many of their prerequisites and fully committing to a career plan. At that point, transferring to a 4-year program makes much more sense (financially, structure, focus, maturity, etc.).

My youngest did ROTC. Tuition and books taken care of. Just had to pay room & board. Loyola college use to waive room & board for ROTC. Not sure if they still do that.

Best part is they have a job waiting for them when they graduate. And additional training for which they will get paid. Junior got paid to learn how to fly a helicopter. Sure it wasn't easy but then nothing worth doing usually is.

 

[BernieP]

My brother attended CCCC to obtain an AA in computer programming, transferred to UMBC and finished his BA. He's quite happy with his crappy degree that got him across the 6 figure threshold around 20 years ago. With being frugal and making good investments, he's looking forward to a VERY comfortable retirement.

BTW, college isn;t for everyone, and maybe it's time High Schools stopped pushing it (as well as parents).
See Mike Rowe and his podcasts on careers in trades that need skilled people.
Education required, YES, just not an expensive college degree. In many cases employers are more than willing to foot the bill for smart people who want to work for them.

 

[PrchJrkr]

My daughter chose college, my son couldn't stand HS, except for German class. He chose cars over college. Started as a porter a few years ago. Now he's a mechanic and licensed inspector. He's happy and makes decent pay for someone not even being able to buy beer legally yet.

 

[spr1975wshs]

I might have done better in life if I had gone to CC or trade school, but would not have met my wife.
It balances out, but I did finally finish my Bachelor's studies 38 years after I started (24 August 1975 - 24 August 2013).
I was not suited to be a college student, had the smarts, but not the self-discipline or study habits.

Our first date was in February 1978, the Regimental Winter Ball.

 

[b23hqb]

When is Baltimore going to show some diversity and elect a crooked, democrat, black male candidate for all these Baltimore positions? Let's show some equal opportunity, non-discrimination in these city elections.