OPINION
TESTING $656.34
COLLEGE COUNSELING $1,368.42
clear idea of what they want next. Of course, good grades and decent test scores don’t hurt, however the problem of the college industry won’t be solved if everyone starts getting straight C’s. But when students waste valuable time attempting to raise near-perfect SAT scores, they’re not realizing that a crucial part of applying to colleges is showing personality, and excelling in a particular field — not the ability to correctly fill in a bunch of bubbles. Furthermore, let us not forget that in some cases, being a numerically perfect robot is enough to get into a good college. But it’s not much good for achieving anything else in life. After graduating college, what good is having taken five SAT classes? At that point, all of those sleepless nights spent cramming for AP Physics mean nothing. A large portion of executives of Fortune 500 companies didn’t go to particularly noteworthy colleges. It was their ambition, their desire for real-world accomplishment that got NOVEMBER 19, 2012
them to where they are. Again, it is true that or launching your own start-up. going to a good school is a significant boost Your second option: keep striving for when entering the workforce; but ultimately flawless test scores, continue losing sleep over your merit and skill set are what will lead you classes you only are taking for college — and to success in your professional career. continue creating the demand for a profitRather than sitting around complaining based college industry. about how much the college industry causes It’s our fault that the college industry exists. us to spend, students have two options: one, We created it. We provided the market for all abandon the hope of achieving products college-related. We numerical perfection and shouldn’t blame the college realize that colleges are Yes, it’s true that the prep industry for the absurdly seeking people, not test-taking college prep industry large amount of money we robots. Immerse yourself in rakes in $360 billion spend on getting into college passions that excite you, try in revenue every year. when we initiate the exchange. to figure out exactly what you However it is also We fuel this industry want your impact on the world by succumbing to college true that it’s not their counselors and SAT prep to be. Don’t stop studying altogether, but figure out how fault. It’s ours. classes. Yet we complain to prioritize. You don’t need about how much college and to spend a thousand dollars on an SAT class the whole process costs. We are the college when you could easily spend that time and industry. And it won’t stop until we do. money pursuing extracurricular lab research 15