Critique Essay

Why Go to College? Student Perspectives on Higher Ed

In her article, "Why Go to College? Student Perspectives on Higher Ed," Carol

D'Amico discusses the results of a Strada-Gallup poll that surveyed over 86,000
students at post-secondary institutions. The poll revealed that workforce outcomes,
such as finding a good job with good pay and opportunities for career
advancement, are the primary motivation for attending college. D'Amico provides
valuable insights into student motivations for attending college; however, she
overlooks other factors that contribute to a student's decision to pursue higher
education.

D’Amico argues, in her article “Why Go to College? Student Perspectives on

Higher Ed," (D’Amico, 2018), that institutions should identify and work with
students to ensure their path to completion is purposeful, helping them to articulate
work-related motivations when choosing an institution or major. She believes that”
higher education must reorient itself around student motivations and better connect
on-campus experience with the job market”. Then, D’Amico continues to compare
how Strada Education Network decides to invest against the misplaced investments
in postsecondary education.

Regarding the content of the article, the author sheds light on and discussed an
important issue in the educational sector. Carol provided sufficient statistics in
paragraphs 3 and 5 when discussing the results of a Strada-Gallup poll.
Additionally, when discussing the responsibilities of the educational institutions
the author’s words were emotionally loaded and held anger towards the insufficient
performance of the educational institutions. However, D’Amico generalized in
paragraph 2 when she stated that work outcomes are the primary motivation for
attending postsecondary institutions: “This is true across all higher education
pathways and demographic subgroups.”

While the article provides valuable insights into student motivations for attending
college, it overlooks other factors that contribute to a student's decision to pursue
higher education. For example, the article does not consider the role of personal
growth and development or the desire for intellectual exploration. Furthermore, the
article implies that students who prioritize general aspirations for learning and
knowledge are less likely to complete their degrees. However, the article does not
provide evidence to support this claim, and it is possible that other factors, such as
financial constraints or personal circumstances, may play a larger role in a student's
decision to drop out of college.

Moreover, the article does not address the issue of accessibility to higher
education. While the poll results show that most Americans with postgraduate
education experiences identify career goals as their top motivation, it is important
to note that not all students have equal access to educational opportunities. For
many students, the high cost of tuition, lack of financial aid, and systemic barriers
prevent them from pursuing higher education, regardless of their career aspirations.

In conclusion, while the article provides valuable insights into student motivations
for attending college, it overlooks important factors such as personal growth and
accessibility to higher education. Institutions should aim to provide a well-rounded
education that addresses the needs of all students, regardless of their career
aspirations.