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Paramveer Singh
DeBock
English IV Honors
29 October 2015

Essential Question: Is a college education a sound investment short and long term?
Working Thesis: A secondary education is the gateway to success.
Refined Thesis: The benefits of college outweigh the cost, and is a smart decision long-term and
short-term.

Ekman, Richard. "Myths and Reality About U.S. Higher Education." Vital Speeches Of The Day
79.12 (2013): 392. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

In this article Ekman addresses the many myths surrounding college and a secondary education.
It is commonly believed that college is too expensive, and the author agrees that the cost
of these institutions should be lowered. Another alarming issue in the US is liberal arts
majors are not finding a career in the market. Ekman refutes this, showing evidence that
employers are seeking employees that possess a certain skill-set that these graduates
have. The author, in addition, claims that college is a good long term investment,

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regardless of debt, and that college graduates will earn around $1 million more than high
school graduates. This source strongly supports the thesis because it provides concrete
evidence and statistics showing the benefits of college.

Fertig, Jason. "Success Without College." Academic Questions 24.3 (2011): 291. Advanced
Placement Source. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
The article takes a very unique stance on todays college education. Fertig states that college is
not the avenue for every student fresh out of high school. Instead, taking a year off before
going to a secondary level or attending community college because it is more small-scale
and personal is wise. He then provides a list of examples of individuals that have
achieved great success without college, like Bill Gates, Ray Bradbury, Cornelius
Vanderbilt, etc. Fertig also makes another logical point, that all students cannot be
expected to excel in a college environment. Those who can not should seek other
opportunities and programs that are tailored to their specific set of skills. This source
makes several valid points about other avenues of success, however the author firmly
believes more and more students should not enroll, this is not a wise decision long-term.

Murray, Charles. "Too Many People Are Going to College: Today's College System is Implicated
in the Emergence Of A Class-Riven America That is Doing a Disservice to Millions of
Americans. Charles Murray on the Dark Side of the B.A. As Norm." The American
(Washington, DC) 5 (2008): 40. Academic OneFile. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

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This article is presented as a culmination of different viewpoints from several individuals.


Murray addresses the question of whether too many students are going to college. Charles
passionately states that more people should be receiving the basics of a core education,
but instead of waiting for college to do so, schools should teach students more during
kindergarten up until eighth grade. The author asserts only 10-15 percent of the nation's
youth have the skills to do well in a four-year residential college experience. On the other
hand, another expert, Daniel Yankelovitch, said that the nation is morally and a politically
obligated to make college available to all students. Yankelovitchs views are accurate and
support the thesis that college is a smart investment regardless of debt because it furthers
students ability to find a job and career.

Schmitt, John, and Heather Boushey. "Why Don't More Young People Go to College?."
Challenge (05775132) 55.4 (2012): 78-93. Business Source Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

Schmitts article addresses the wide gap between high school and college graduates. In the past
three decades, the earnings of college graduates increased, but so has the cost of a college
education itself. The author says economists concur that a college education is the main
path to future economic growth. The main idea Schmitt is trying to convey in this article
is in order for more students to attend college, the costs should be more affordable, and
both in public and private institutions. He also wants the post-graduation debt to be

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alleviated in some way. Schmitts data and analysis proves the cost of college is excessive
and should be lowered, also how it is a sound investment.

Daly, Mary C., and Leila Bengali. "Is It Still Worth Going to College?." FRBSF Economic Letter
2014.13 (2014): 1. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

Here, Daly states getting a four-year college degree is definitely still a meaningful and sound
investment for the average student. Data shows that the benefits of college outweigh the
costs. According to her sources, the average college graduate earns over $800,000 more
than the average high school graduate by retirement age. Daly, in the article, urges high
school graduates to apply and attend college, because high school graduates with no
degree face an unemployment rate thats twice as much as a college graduate. She
concludes with a statement that the average American needs a 4 year degree to achieve
success. The thesis is supported by the author because figures and charts are provided
showing increased success and opportunity to those with a degree.

Soyars, Maureen. "Thinking of Going To Grad School? This Study Says It Will Be Worth It."
Monthly Labor Review (2015): 1-2. Business Source Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

By 2013, the wage gap between college-educated workers and workers with a high school degree
was 80%. In addition, in 2013 workers with a postgraduate degree earned 30%. Soyars

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shows that college enrollment was at an all-time high, and as the years have gone,
enrollment percentage is dwindling steadily. But now, in the age of new technology, the
need for highly educated workers with skill sets is sought after. Workers with graduate
degrees seem to have a direct, competitive advantage over other college graduates when
it comes to getting well-paid jobs. The source is fairly recent and informative, although it
is relatively short. All of the arguments stated are correct, a college degree will put a
person in a better position for the future.

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