What a good thing to help this boy. Good to read a heart warming story after all the violence these days.

Heart warming!

Yeah, I saw this and thought now why can't it always be like this. What a stark contrast to so many things in the news right now.

That is a great story and what a great kid! I saw it on the news and I think the gofundme page is up to over $150,000. Wonderful!

OMG! I love that story! He's going to college......why can't all the young ones get on board.....

Sounds like someone with a thirst for knowledge and a lot of obstacles to deal with on his own. I think he'll be successful whatever the ultimate outcome.

As for your statement, Nicole, I think there are probably too many young ones in college as is. Especially with community colleges, for too many (certainly not all) it's a comfy place to go after high school to hide from reality for a year or two.

Not every high school student should consider an academic college program and nothing shows that better than the number who start college programs and never finish them. I understand that legit trade schools or other training programs are lacking in numbers and in open spots. I don't have a solution to discuss, just a problem.

That brought tears to my eyes, thank you for some good news.

Only you, elmer, could turn this story of hope and happiness into a warning of impending disaster! But of course, it's my skewed view. Somehow. You KILL me. Really?! How could a person who has a spot in University, and determination enough to get there, not belong? Your comments do not belong on this thread. Find a spot where some other kid isn't going to make it. But this kid is! Most of all, society wanted him to get there. That is the point of this story. GoFundMe is getting him there.

ETA: Isn't it amazing that people donated money to him! It speaks volumes

I said he would likely succeed. What I said was in response to Nicole saying "why can't all the young ones get on board", that it was my view as a generality, not a specific, that too many kids are going to college. Didn't refer to your article, wasn't that clear?

What I had in mind was an article I read recently about a community not too far away (less than an hour), that I would describe as not economically depressed and with a mix of higher and lower middle class people. In this area, something like 75% of graduates of the 5 closest high schools attend the local community college the next Fall. Three years later, fewer than 20 % have transferred to a 4 year college or completed one of the many two year vocational programs the college offers. To me, half or more are wasting time and diluting resources for those who really want to use the opportunity.

Take a deep breath

I can breathe fine. Deeply even. I can even read and even have my own logic not feD from you!

Saw yesterday where the fund is over 150,000

I understand what you are saying, Elmer. You are correct. (You didn't say he did not belong in college.) Community colleges offer transfer opportunities but also offer certificated programs to address employment needs in the community. Some college students should start in their CC.

Or, trade schools exist. But how can "too many kids go to college"? That's inappropriate to say. Correct? I disagree.

elmer.....I "never" transferred to a 4 year college. Yet......IBM hired me anyway. I know what you meant tho.

Did anyone see The Steve Harvey Show yesterday? Self made millionaires, all VERY young.

The root of the 'education problem' is worthless HS diplomas -- and not enough trade apprenticeships. If a HS diploma had value, employers would not require college degrees for the huge number of jobs that do not make use of educations beyond the 12th grade.

I think we should invest in better and longer PUBLIC education. Pre-K to 12th Grade should be open to all and should not be entirely 'college track'. (More apprenticeship programs, please.) College should be free -- open to all who can *test in*.

There is a 'Fred Barley' character in Jane Smiley's recent trilogy. One of the boys in the Iowa family that is central to her stories camps out and lives largely on fish he catches while he attends college. There are similar students in Smiley's book, "Moo U". I think scraping by was once more common. Maybe it still is? Not everyone makes the news.

Community Colleges, then transfers, makes financial sense. There is a snob appeal to say you are attending certain colleges, and that is fine if you can afford it. But I have talked to many parents that are in the process of paying off huge loans, and will be for many years. Some of them have admitted they regretted not sending their children to Community College first, to save money. Other students are saddled with decades of student loan debt.

Community Colleges are not just for transfer students. It is a great resource for education for many reasons that have nothing to do with degrees.

This story brought me to tears. I hope that he will start a scholarship with the donations. After he pays his own expenses he has an opportunity to inspire many young people. I think God will bless him and his hard work will bring him blessings as well.

For many students, gyr falcon, I agree with you. But not for all. Those who are considering pursuing competitive grad school or career directions after graduation will do better with a 4 year record of success at a tougher school with selective admission practices.

For those who intend to move on in directions that are competitive, showing a mastery of upper division major courses is essential. Experiences and academic challenges faced in the first two years (plus or minus) is the preparation for that, and the community colleges don't offer the same training and peer competition as do 4 year schools.

Students from lower income families can often attend private colleges/universities for far less money and debt, or even for free (because of institutional support), compared to going to state schools. It's the middle-class families with relatively good income who get squeezed when it comes to college costs

Really? We've been told it's easier to get into a specifically difficult school (by the school at the campus visit, as a hint) if you attend a state school your freshman year and apply your sophomore year. snidely, you have some ideas, but not the only ones. And I think everyone should attend a secondary education for whatever field they enter. One that specializes in your field. My brother, for instance, was paid horribly, poor working conditions, until he went on to master electrician. His house and cars are paid for. In cash. It matters. All can benefit from universities, whatever their field, and for however long they can stay. It's the terminal degrees that require such narrow focus about whom should attend school. Even that grip is lessening in this day and age. I speak from the inside out.

There are a lot of kids who struggle with academic subjects in high school - I don't know but it's got to be more than 25% and it certainly varies by socio-economics of the areas. These kids don't need to continue struggling after high school, it doesn't accomplish anything for them or for society. But the reasonable alternative for them, vocational training opportunities, are lacking. There are some at community colleges but not nearly enough and not in broad enough areas. As I said above, I don't have answers to the problems but I see the problems all the same.

I understand that some kids grow up, find their sea legs, and find direction and become better students in community college than they were in high school. I don't think this is a high percentage of the low achievers who hang around in the community colleges for a year or two.

I'm basing my opinion on having BEEN an employer that screened and hired top students from top programs, and from the experiences of my three kids (and their friends) who went through and have completed their educations and graduate or professional programs at many, many different schools. Or didn't complete, depending upon what the individual's experience was.

Many private schools don't accept transfer students at the junior level. Many state schools, like our local UC system as an example, are required to take community college transfers. As someone who recruited and interviewed UC grads, ON AVERAGE those who were community college transfers were less accomplished than those who had earned UC admission after high school. That's an achievement in and of itself, acceptance rates are under 25% at Berkeley and UCLA.

There are programs for kids who struggle at universities to help them through. I guess you'd just prefer they go sit in their hovel and be glad they are allowed to live in the world the rest of us live in. If they don't starve to death.

I told you "from the inside out", I meant it. It's current info. Not BEEN info.

I retired a few years ago but will compare my experiences (outlined above) with yours whenever you wish. On this topic they're current and relevant and seem to be more informed than yours. You don't need to think so.

You seem to be having an unhappy week.

Not one thing unhappy about it! I even have happy news.

There's that wrong sixth sense again (much like you know more about it because you think you do). But that's nothing new! You're always an expert. At everything.

To me, half or more are wasting time and diluting resources for those who really want to use the opportunity.

Maybe at the one Community College you spoke of, it is true. But I don't think that necessarily makes it a valid statement for Community College students as a whole. A case could certainly be made that there are a high percentage of students in prestigious colleges that are more interested in partying and wasting time and resources, than learning, too.

I'll not diminished top students from top programs and their achievements. A large percentage of the high school students I've met are amazing in too many ways, and deserve every accolade. But people that have not, or could not, take that road are not flotsam. "Training and peer competition" get your respect, but the challenges that life throws at many, and need to be overcome to succeed, do not. There is more than one road to a destination, and the unpaved ones, without the trumpets, often require more inner strength and character.

Students in most all colleges party and cavort to excess, that's not significantly different in one place as another.

I agree generally with what you're saying. Of course the mid-range and lower students aren't flotsam or hovel sleepers. But continuing the fantasy that everyone is entitled by birth to and is capable of getting a college degree and that that will make their life magical isn't the right mindset either. There are too many youngsters who aren't capable of being successful in college but there aren't enough alternatives offered to them. I said I saw a problem and I don't know what the solutions are.

Some quick numbers I found without belaboring the point -

California Community Colleges have 2.1 million students. Yes, many are part time, many are adults or even retired persons taking classes for personal or occupational enrichment. Fair enough. Let's assume half of the total is such people and others in the very important two year vocational programs (Fire/police, dental and medical assisting, etc). That leaves about one million.

Total CSU transfers in Fall 2014- 47,000

Total UC transfers 2015-016 - 17,000

That's 64,000. If it takes 3 years to complete 2 years (which it shouldn't), then there are 350,000 "graduates" each year and 64K are transferring to the obvious places. What's happening to the rest of them? Hundreds of thousands disappear each year. My speculation is these missing noses are dropping out before completing a program and perhaps shouldn't have been there to begin with.

I agree that college is too often the "automatic" choice of high school seniors. I'm not too far removed from college, and I have many friends with crippling student loan debt because they felt they had to attend college. Some were not ready, some couldn't decide on a major and flipped through several options. Many are in jobs where their degree or institution of choice didn't really matter, as long as they graduated.

My husband and I both went to Top 10 universities, and we both feel that we would have had the same career path at any decent college. Fortunately, neither of us graduated with much debt. We'll be encouraging our children to attend good but reasonably priced schools. We won't get any financial aid for the private schools, and we aren't going to pay $250,000 for their degrees like the current price tags at the schools we went to. I will do everything I can to keep them from taking out loans.

If they aren't the college type, we'll also encourage them to go the trade-school route, which I think will be increasingly important. There will always be a need for plumbers, electricians, mechanics, etc. and these can be very lucrative fields.

Just to be clear, I never even insinuated "...that everyone is entitled by birth to and is capable of getting a college degree and that that will make their life magical."

If some need to attend Community College for a year or two prior to determining if it is the right life course for them, that does not mean that it was a waste. Many attend expensive colleges and then come to the same conclusion. Some complete degrees and are deep in debt before accepting that they are on the wrong road.

Those words weren't directed specifically at your comments, more in general because a lot of people feel that way. Or think "Well why can't everyone go to college if they want to?"

The numbers show that for the CCC system, those who dip their toe in the water to see if it's right for them would seem to be far more than a few. The local school I referred to a few posts before has numbers far below the state's average, but the state's total numbers are nothing if not shocking. Doesn't it suggest there's something majorly wrong that needs attention?

I am really sad to see the direction that this uplifting topic took. What the hell is wrong with some of you that you just cannot allow any topic to be unspoiled?

Have you never just been happy to read something and felt that for once, you would take the high road and stay quiet since you had nothing useful to add?

This MAN ...he is more of a man than many of the older adults walking this earth, is clawing and screaming to attend college. While college is not for everyone but clearly is for him. God Bless him. I think he will do great things.