Charles Murray and Sanford J. Ungar: Why College Isn't for Everyone

Education and knowledge are both very important. We should all take advantage of receiving information in all fashions however they may come. Many highschool teens are taking further step to further their education. College is seen as a stepping stone for many people in our society to obtain a good career and the best way to transition through childhood to adulthood. Are too many people going to college? Is written by Charles Murray and he argues strongly the subject. For everyone to be able to answer this question we must understand the importance of college and liberal arts. 

Murray decides to directly answer why he believes that too many people are going to college and does not waste anytime expressing his point of view. Murray’s argument leans on both answering this question as either yes or no. I honestly think that he means no, Not everyone should go to college. He makes some great point on why it maybe unnecessary. His belief is that if education was spread out in lower grades that children would be able to obtain more information and college would not be needed. His argument is that you should not be obtaining further knowledge of what you should already know it’s repetitive. Charles Murray then argues quoting college is not worth the time or money. As he states that everyone needs to have some sort of knowledge. When he gets to changing his opposition to make mends with the opposing side he quotes,“Saying to many people are going to college is not the same as saying that the average student does not need to know other common knowledge.” They do need to know more of what it is they already know. The argument in the article specified that those who are good with there curriculum before college , should be pushed into college because they will enjoy it. Those who are not at good standings are most likely to fail college if their worked is not evenly distributed for them to meet in between where they can study , attend school and still be able to have a personal life. 

College is a decision only you can make for yourself, sometimes hearing others opinions can help you make a decision but , if it is not something you believe will help you then you should do what is best for you. It depends from person to person. College is different for everyone, experiences are different. College is not good for all, this is why many college students drop out before they complete the years for college. Then there are those continue for a few years , then you have those who just don’t even bother to go or think about going. Murray argues that college is not the only way a person can be successful in life. Society highly pressured this and does not give any space for students to think aloud. Murray does not believe college is for everyone, but he does think everyone should go and see if it is something that they can handle. Which ever path is chosen it can lead to success , and happiness. 

As for Sanford J. Ungar he believes that everybody must attend college and obtain a degree his argument is that. His Argument details how college helps you deal with issues that are to come down the line of being a young adult. Ungar states that if someone has a degree that person is more than capable in being successful in the career they would like to Persue. He pressures college education most importantly because, in his argument he states that “ A liberal-arts degree is a luxury that most families can no longer afford”. So if you have the opportunity to go , you should. Career Education is what he believes strongly about liberal education. Ungar knows college is expensive but, he suggests that everyone must go to college and that there are ways around it. In my opinion I agree with both Ungar and Murray. They make many valid points on various reasons why you should go to college. Each of them are correct depending on the circumstances of the individual. 

In my opinion it is your choice and your duty to make college a option for yourself. Going to college has its stages. Everyone is different and we all handle life differently. Some people can handle the pressure more well than others. In the society we live in today going to college is highly pressured that you go to college; just because you do not go to college does not mean you will be unsuccessful. After highschool for many of us It is unclear what it is we would like to be doing. College shouldn’t be rushed we all need time to think and collect our thoughts . If you have your time and dedication you will either choose to go to college or you may disregard the thought of wanting to go. Everyone should at least go to really see what it is like and determine if this is the path they want to take.   

Works Cited

1. Arum, R., & Roksa, J. (2014). Aspiring adults adrift: Tentative transitions of college graduates. University of Chicago Press.
2. Carnevale, A. P., Smith, N., & Strohl, J. (2013). Recovery: Job growth and education requirements through 2020. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
3. Delbanco, A. (2012). College: What it was, is, and should be. Princeton University Press.
4. Goldin, C., & Katz, L. F. (2008). The race between education and technology. Harvard University Press.
5. Hacker, A. (2011). Higher education? How colleges are wasting our money and failing our kids—And what we can do about it. St. Martin's Griffin.
6. Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (2005). How college affects students: A third decade of research. Jossey-Bass.
7. Roksa, J., & Arum, R. (2011). Academically adrift: Limited learning on college campuses. University of Chicago Press.
8. Roth, M. S. (2015). Beyond the university: Why liberal education matters. Yale University Press.
9. Turner, B. S. (2016). The rise of the meritocracy. Routledge.
10. Vedder, R., Denhart, C., & Robe, J. (2014). Why does college cost so much? Center for College Affordability and Productivity.