Myths and realities about college drop-outs

Saw this bit this morning -- a report called  With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them, on young Americans' views on higher education and college completion, produced for the Gates Foundation.

Here's what it says are some main myths and realities:

MYTH NO. 1: Most students go to college full-time. If they leave without a degree, it’s because they’re bored with their classes and don’t want to work hard.

REALITY NO. 1: Most students leave college because they are working to support

themselves and going to school at the same time. At some point, the stress of work and study just becomes too difficult.

MYTH NO. 2: Most college students are supported by their parents and take advantage

of a multitude of available loans, scholarships, and savings plans.

REALITY NO. 2: Young people who fail to finish college are often going it alone financially. They’re essentially putting themselves through school.

MYTH NO. 3: Most students go through a meticulous process of choosing their college

from an array of alternatives.

REALITY NO. 3: Among students who don’t graduate, the college selection process is far more limited and often seems happenstance and uninformed.

MYTH NO. 4: Students who don’t graduate understand fully the value of a college degree and the consequences and trade-offs of leaving school without one.

REALITY NO. 4: Students who leave college realize that a diploma is an asset, but they may not fully recognize the impact dropping out of school will have on their future.

Read the full report here.

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