Summary: Are Colleges Worth The Price Of Admission

Tyler Gimblin
Pr. Zachary O’Neill
English 1A
Jun. 18, 2014
The Big Question, College or Not? The big question for students and parents today would be, are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission? The excerpt, “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission,” by Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus is to evaluate whether or not the cost of tuition is worth the benefit anymore. Both of the Authors elaborate in this excerpt by providing problems with the higher education costs and solutions that will allow for money to be saved by students. By focusing on these points of opinion Hacker and Dreifus provide detailed examples of how to fix Americas’ higher education problems.
One of the most important viewpoints of Hacker and Dreifus’ excerpt is the
As secretary of Education William Bennett says, “ they must become conscientious, caring, and attentive to every corner of their classroom” (Bennett, Pg. 180). Typically in a classroom setting there are students that are quieter than others, ultimately causing the students to not engage in conversation in the discussion. Bennett continues to state, “That professors should not just teach their dissertation or next article”(Bennett, Pg.180). Suggesting that professors should broaden their discussions by engaging all students in the classroom to allow for the best results when it comes to class discussions. From interviews across the country with countless policy makers and leaders, Hacker and Dreifus have come to a conclusion that a college’s main focus is to challenge the minds of young students. The question remains, are we doing this, or just providing an environment and structure to follow the opinions and thoughts of the
For instance, if students make the decision to attend a prestigious, expensive college, Hacker and Dreifus have prepared alternate studies that will ultimately be a better investment for the student, such as: Philosophy, Literature, or physical sciences. They mention that, “the undergraduate years are an interlude that will never come again, a time to liberate the imagination and stretch one’s intellect without worrying about a possible payoff’ (Pg. 188, Hacker/Dreifus). Taking advantage of impractical studies will not benefit the students. Furthermore, they discuss how colleges are in need of more money in the down economy. With that said, they have provided the thought of spreading donations around. They say, “too many benefactors donate to institutions that are already well provided for. Even in economic downturns, gifts to the wealthiest colleges keep coming in”(Pg. 187, Hacker/Dreifus). Colleges that lack the funds necessary to provide a substantial learning environment are suffering. This is why the government needs to fund the more needy Colleges. When it comes to salary for all professors Hacker and Dreifus have provided an alternate route. By allowing for, “adjuncts to receive the same per-course compensation as an assistant professor, including health insurance and other benefits”(Pg. 185, Hacker). They mention that, “it is immoral and unseemly to have a person