Comment People pay to go to college (Score 1) 389
Colleges and universities should set minimum requirements for entry, and then let anyone who can pay in. I'm paying to be taught something, colleges need to start remembering that students are customers and treat them accordingly. I'm not saying colleges shouldn't have tough classes. If a college desires to give the best education money can buy, and that means a tough curriculum, as long as students are aware of that before they start spending their money. If a college or university's product is one of high standards for getting a passing grade, so be it.
If I think I can skip Calculus 101, go ahead and let me. If I fail, I'm the one that wasted the money on those credit hours and will have to take Calculus 101 and Calculus 102, possibly pushing back my graduation. Graduation could require the passing of specific levels of education, not accumulating credit hours. This 'well-rounded' BS needs to stop, the college is not my mom. I don't need to take underwater basket weaving to be a doctor or lawyer. But I probably need specific levels of English, Business and other non-medical related courses. Let me decide if I want to take underwater basket weaving and spend the money on it even if it's not required.
If someone desires to go a college that expects hard work, quick learning, and a high degree of work outside the classroom, and they fail because they can't keep up, it's their money they are wasting. I'm sure some would argue they are wasting class time, but in my limited experience, many professors are very good at keeping the class moving along and letting those that just don't get it fall behind.
Colleges should set their prices depending on the market system, as they do now. If students need money to go to college, they can prove to those that give out loans and grants whether or not they deserve the money. Just because I'm in favor of a college letting anyone in, doesn't mean I'm in favor of the colleges, government or banks giving or loaning money to anyone who wants it. They have the obligation to determine whether or not handing out thousands of dollars to someone is a good investment regardless of whether or not it's getting paid back.
Colleges could still give out scholarships and even loans to outstanding students that they feel will give back because of their abilities. Whatever method they setup to do that is up to them.