College advice?

you should probably know that i'm smart and get good grades. my parents think i am meant for a 4 year college and nothing else. i want to go to a 2 year college. my parents think 2 year colleges are for dumb people to get their grades up and transfer to a 4 year college. i don't want to transfer, i just want to get my 2 year degree and get my job. my parents think a 2 year degree is a waste. people with a 4 year degree tend to make more money, but they also pay more in tuition. if you get a 2 year degree you might make slightly less money, but tuition will be lower. this means you get more for your tuition money. it also means you will make more money than someone with only a high school education. how do i convince my parents (and even guidance counselor) that i believe a 2 year college is good for me?

College advice?
you sound like your old enough to make up your own mind. over the course of your life, you'd probably make more if you go to the four year college. college is fun anyway.
Reply:Tell them what you will study for in the 2 year school, then tell them how it will be just as advantageous as a 4 year school.


In my opinion, why go to a 2 year school in the first place. Either go to a 4 year or dont go at all.
Reply:You need to consider all aspects of a 2 year (associate's) degree and a 4 year (bachelor's) degree. They're not the exact same thing and they're not usually viewed the same. Yes, you will, in all, pay less in tuition, but once you're in the job market, you will probably be considered less for raises and promotions than someone who has obtained a four-year degree or higher. The greater amount of money that someone with a four-year degree can make more than likely will far outweigh the extra amount that you're paying. Also, if you're smart and you get good grades, you can probably get yourself some scholarships. I personally have all my tuition paid off, you just have to apply for them. If you know that the field you want to go into is usually obtained by those with two year degrees, then go for it. But if you find out that employers in your desired field prefer four years or more, then I would suggest you do that.
Reply:It depends on your course of study.


If you're going into the IT field, for example, a 2 year program is fine.


Experience often substitutes very nicely for a diploma. Sometimes more years at school ARE necessary to get specialized training or certification, like in nursing.


No matter what school you go to, network like crazy and make friends you can keep in contact with. Get a plan in place, think it through, research it, and if your parents are paying for your school, you can make a presentation to them and it will show you're serious.
Reply:I go to a two year College, and a lot of people from different countries come to the college I attend because it has one of the best two year program from nursing and dentist.





So talk with your parents, but just remember who is paying for you to go to college.
Reply:You have a valid argument: someone who goes to a technical school and learns how to network computers will earn almost twice as much per year as someone who goes to a university and majors in philosophy or another liberal arts type degree.





However, some majors (optical engineering, chemical engineering, pharmacy) have starting salaries as high as $70,000 per year, and no one straight out of a tech school will earn close to that. Making $15,000-$20,000 more per year will pay off your tuition in no time.





Scholarships should be plentiful for you, so tuition shouldn't really matter anyways. But in the end: if you work a crappy job for great money, you're not happy. And if you work a crappy job for crappy pay, than you're miserable.
Reply:GOOD QUESTION. First off, what do they know and what factors are they taking into consideration? When was the last time they were in school? Have things changed? What is the work force asking for today? How are your feelings? How do you respond when you are foced to do something you don't want?





You are most definitely looking in the right direction. A high school degree by itself is useless. Its more often than not is a waste of time for students anyways.





A four year college isn't meant for everyone. They often call high school courses 'college prepatory'. This is usually a lie. Just being a good student doesn't prepare anyone for college. It involves alot of time management skills, interpersonal skills, and persistance to get a good degree.





And a college degree DOES NOT mean good money. There are too many people who get a degree in 'business', 'communications' or 'library science', who end up not making much more than a non college grad. If you don't want to wast $50,000, chosse something that will bring results. Engineering, accounting, finance, and the top three today.





Vocational schools can also be outragously expensive too. You have to ask yourself what you want to do. Ask people who are in that field what they had to do to get there. And probe from there.





Besides if you get a two year degree, you are out there making money sooner. This is good. And your credits should be able to transfer to get a Bachelors later on too. If you work for the right company, they'll even pay for you to get a degree as well.





Say if you wanted to be a mechanic. Go to a vo-tech school. Get in with a major company, then pursue an engeneering degree. You'll be the most valuable engeneer on site, because you have real world expereince.





There is nothing more annoying than a college grad who has no real world practical sense. It makes you wonder how the hell they go their degree.





Anyways, I'll shut up here, and wish you the best of luck :)
Reply:What you are being told is probably correct (that you will be more successful in the career world with a four-year degree). I would stick to my guns, though, if I felt as strongly as you do about going for a two-year Associate's degree. Perhaps during your two years of college, you will come to learn what you are capable of and take pride in your accomplishments at community college. Then you can transfer those credits to a university and finish the four-year degree like everyone is hoping you will. The truth is, even a four-year degree is not enough anymore. There is a lot of competition, and many companies are beginning to require Master's degrees for entry-level positions. If you enjoy college, you should get the four-year degree because in most fields, a Bachelor's degree is the bare minimum you must have. People do not hold Associate's degrees with much esteem anymore. That's just the way the world is going. I wish you luck.
Reply:Sorry, but your parents are right. A four year degree is much better than a two year degree. There are a lot more jobs out there with a lot better pay for the four year degree vs. the two year.