Using a BA degree from AMU to get into a graduate program at brick and mortar school?

Do we really believe that college seniors are uniformly well informed about the Real World ? And do we really respect their capacity to make independent decisions -- or do we card them when they try to buy a six-pack of Coors Light ?

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The the sad truth is that many students -- both old and young -- are quite poorly informed about the academic career path. For example, most undergraduates have absolutely no idea about the difference between a tenured professor and an adjunct professor, and they are stunned to realize how low adjunct professor compensation is. If you don't believe this, try asking a few yourself.

 

It seems that I tend to have a higher opinion of people than you. That's sad for you.

 

Not sad -- just realistic.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Read the now-famous 2009 column in the Chronicle of Higher Education, written by an English professor, entitled "Graduate School in the Humanities: Just Don't Go":

You might think he's sad. Unfortunately, he might also be right.

 

Clearly people make the decision to attend Humanities grad programs despite the shrinking opportunities. I may think that this is unwise in the long term but I recognize that these people are likely using a different value system than my own and so I'm hesitant to say that they are pursuing these grad degrees as a result of ignorance. I would think it more likely that they are either simply rolling the dice in hopes that they are one of the lucky ones who gets hired or they simply love their subject area and are unwilling to give it up.

 

I finished reading that 2009 article, and, while it does sound pessimistic, there are parts that I can agree with. I also think that, with the emphasis on pushing hard math and sciences on undergraduates, the desire for people with Humanities degrees will decline. That being said, I don't think people should be dissuaded from degrees in Humanities/Liberal Arts. I also don't think it's a fair statement to say that people who pursue those degrees are misinformed/naive/ignorant.

 

As a demographic group I'd say they are as well informed as a randomly selected group of adults 20 years their senior. And, yes, we do respect their capacity to make independent decisions. They drive automobiles, they vote and they become employed in positions of responsibility.

 

That was not my personal experience. I've been out of college for 20 years plus -- and I know far, far more about the "Real World" and professional career options now than I did as an undergraduate. Frankly, I'm surprised that anyone feels differently.

Yet we don't allow them to have credit cards without a cosigner -- as per the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. What does that say about our confidence in their financial responsibility ?

 

Sorry to break it to you, but the ability to vote and drive automobiles has nothing to do whatsoever with the capacity to make well-informed, independent decisions.

 

So, two old men with no faith in the next generation. Nice.

 

Agreed. :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

 

So, someone making sweeping generalizations based on one comment without fully reading or understanding the context. Nice.

Sorry, but my comment about the ability to drive and vote not having anything to do with capacity to make well-informed decisions had nothing to do with any generation.

You are making assumptions, including one on how old I am.

 

.....and now my thread has degenerated into a flame war. Awesome. Going back on my point, after having a long discussion with my girlfriend about the usefulness/prospects of having a Humanities graduate degree (she herself has a Masters in Teaching from UC Irvine) said I should reconsider my choices, and give law school some serious consideration.