The value of American Education

[Unkotare]

Despite how frequently it is assailed, education in America - yes, even at public schools and starting as early as possible - draws thousands upon thousands of students to our shores every year; students notably from the very countries against which the US is so often unfavorably compared in terms of education. Parents with the means to do so are more than eager to pay the sometimes exorbitant fees charged by more prestigious private institutions, and without the benefit of financial aid that so many American families rely on. Even at that, waiting lists just to apply for student visas are extensive.

Many international students come/are sent over as early as possible as a way of preparing to apply to American universities - by far the best in the world.

So, an unacceptable number of basket-cases seriously bend the curve downward, but all in all American education is a highly valuable (and valued) product.








US schools still draw Chinese|Top News|chinadaily.com.cn

 

[Crystalclear]

Private schools are indeed the best schools, but European public education is better than the public American one.

 

[DGS49]

Europeans generally can avail themselves of "free" higher education in their home countries, but they are burdened with the curse of meritocracy. Only the top 15% or so make it into the "free" universities. Everyone else goes to a "trade" school, which is not a bad thing at all, but not for everyone.

So if you have the resources and don't want to deal with the meritocracy in your home country, you can bring your kids to the U.S. We have a college seat available for every mediocre misfit they want to toss our way, especially if they are going to be paying for the full ride.

For those at the top of the academic pyramid, American universities are the envy of the world. They offer infinite flexibility in what you can study, amazing resources to pursue your studies, and a wonderful collegial environment in which to work.

Unfortunately, they are also havens for millions of uninspired, unintelligent, unmotivated, superannuated adolescents who are unprepared for adult life and gainful employment. And the faculties are generally led by philosophically catatonic elderly hippies, the high point of whose lives were when they were smoking dope at anti-war demonstrations 45 years ago.

 

[Unkotare]

There is, of course, no "free" education or anything else.

 

[oldfart]

Unfortunately, they are also havens for millions of uninspired, unintelligent, unmotivated, superannuated adolescents who are unprepared for adult life and gainful employment.

At this point, I thought you were talking about the faculty!

And the faculties are generally led by philosophically catatonic elderly hippies, the high point of whose lives were when they were smoking dope at anti-war demonstrations 45 years ago.

I definitely fall into this category. But the oldfarts gather to reminisce and usually feel that the most exciting parts of their lives are still ahead. Most of us never did much dope in college or after. That was the athletes, the in-crowd, and the rebellious. We were the nerds locked in our library carels, carrying punch card decks to the computing center, or ruining our sense of smell in the labs.

We did learn a lot of our politics in the anti-war movement. Student deferments did not extend to graduate education, so a lot of us took a Vietnam sabbatical before graduate school. I was determined to be "mentally, physically, or morally unfit for service". Arlo Guthrie has a pretty good description of the pre-induction physical process.

As an observation, a lot of comments like yours come from people who took liberal arts and humanities courses in college. I have heard relatively few people make complaints like this about their mathematics or anatomy instructors. Maybe a lot of it could be the courses people were required to take.