Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / Dec. 16, 2009, edition 1 / Page 2
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2 news December 16,2009 Early Graduation + Same Degree + Saving Money = The Three Year College Plan BY AKIRAH JUSTICE Reporter Skyrocketing costs of tuition have convinced students seek ing higher education to seek al ternatives to four or five-year plans. Recognizing the student body's concern with the seem ingly endless debt upon graduating from college, many institutions are considering a change to the typical four- year enrollment. French teacher Laura Wolf explored the ups and downs of early graduation. "I finished from Carolina in three years, and I was 20 when I started teaching. It was strange to have 18-year-olds in class then. That is when they called me Madame "Fox" in stead of Madame Wolf. I think it saves a lot of tuition dollars. 1 did it by going to summer school for two summers. The down side is that you really have to know what you plan to study and major in. There is hardly any time to change your major or even double major. The biggest disadvantage, in my opinion, is that it would be very difficult to take a se mester or a year to study abroad, which I did later. I re gretted not doing it in my un dergraduate years because I could have spent more time to be abroad then." Earning AP and IB college credits during high school contribute to a solution. By excelling in one's high school career, semesters can be eliminated, positioning a student for early completion. According to an article by Lamar Alexander in the Oct. 26,2009issue of "Newsweek," approximately 20% of college students advanced because of such credits. Many people agree that graduating in less time would be beneficial, but it wouldalso mean exerting more effort and longer hours year round. "Let me say that there is nothing keeping students from graduating in three years if they work hard, get AP credits, and go to school every summer while in col lege," said Dr. Mark Burkey, economics professor at NC A&T University. Three year options, over time, will have little effect on the job market and economy, but according to economic professor R.J. Angell, also from NC A&T University, the first year will have the greatest impact. "The year in which the first of the three-year stu dents graduate will result in a flood of applicants in the marketplace, but the num ber of students in the market place would not be the only fac tor affecting the marketplace. Businesses don't hire people for their degree. They hire them because they believe that they have an en hance skill set and the ability to learn. If the graduates don't possess something that others don't have, why should businesses be inter ested in hiring them?" said Angell. Some people wonder if a three- year solution is such a good idea, since it may cause a lack of expe rience, not knowledge. Providing additional summer courses for more students studying on campuses year round will al low students to work at a faster pace and save money on tuition; however, they may have a more difficult time com- peting with other students who have four years of experi ence in their field. This system, if put in place, will instantly create a new pay class. Students participating in three-year programs will each earn a bachelor's degree, but employers may only be will ing to pay slightly more than an associate's degree recipient would earn. The lack of experi ence is not always considered equal to knowledge of the field. With the economy in decline, some students believe they should take their time through college because when they finish, they might not have the oppor tunity to work where they originally intended. Rushing through college may seem like a reasonable plan for saving money, but opinions on the sub ject differ among students, par ents, and business executives. MAN UP IS BACK... AND WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION, IT WILL BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER! Our plan is to begin with a strong kickolT. so upon our return to school in .lanuar>. there will be many Man l.’p e\ ents. Therefore. \our participation Ls essential. I'dueation invith es more than textbooks and examinations; we mast leant liom each other. Male adults will guide and set pttsilivc examples for male students. .AHer all. yttur future is in our hands now. but ours w il I be in your hands later! Please assist us by eneouraging your JViends to join iis. 1 ^el's generate e,\eitcment and enthu.situsm about this gntnd opportunity to shape all ofour livc.s! Thank you in advance for your commitment. Darrell Harris and Brandon Grecson ^BounH^ Don't Get Hooked lyP^JPUil ■ by Misleading Financial Aid Offers You should never have to pay; • for information about financial aid • to apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA) • to receive financial aid Never give out your Social Security number or other perseoal Informatiosi unless you know the offer is legitimate. For fre® and accyrat® mlormation about fiuaricial aid, §o to CFNC.org or call 866“866“CFM€. You can also contact your school counstior or a colltg® finaocial aid administrator. ■Ad In- Afui I: vk.s-ca ■d ALiuWN.h- ii'-h NC.' qf North Carolma
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