Letters to the editor

 

College advice

I am writing in regards to Charlie Wick's column "Tips on paying for college."

The past three years I've interviewed over 350 quarterlifers - people in their late teens and 20s - about how they've made the transition from academics into the real world.

It is a transition that does not come easy as evidenced by the fact that:

-- Four out of 10 students entering college drop out their freshman year.

-- The average college graduate had more than eight jobs from the age of 22 to the age of 32.

-- Four-year college degrees are taking students five, six, and even seven years to complete.

-- Parents spend on average $38,000 on their children between the ages of 18 and 34 - considerably more than in the past.

While all of Mr. Wick's financial advice was beneficial, I believe the biggest factor was not discussed.

One of the discoveries of my research was that the No. 1 way to save money on your child's college education is to only spend money on the education they need and want.

Before finalizing the finances of your child's education, it's crucial that you take steps to ensure that he or she doesn't switch degrees every semester or drop out of class after class when it isn't a "good fit."

No amount of financial savvy will cover the cost of a student spending $30,000 a year trying to "discover" him or herself.

Jason C. Steinle