The society we live in has brainwashed us to believe that without a degree, success is unattainable. People from all around the world spend thousands of dollars just to have the chance to receive a flimsy piece of paper with your name on it which ultimately cost $5. For $30,000 you receive this glorious piece of paper that is a testament to your knowledge and status in life while paying an additional amount for the frame, grown and cap which is not included in your actual diploma.

The age-old question still remains relevant, is college really worth the money or is it one big scam?

Going to college is supposed to be one in a lifetime experience. It a place for networking, finding yourself, and taking steps to become an educated member of society. Since childhood, attending college has been placed into our brains and set on fire upon entering high school. At the age of 15, high school athletes are being recruited, smart kids are obsessing with test scores, low-income students are calculating how much to save for applications, and schools are drowning students with campus tours.

At such a young age we are taught that in order to be successful we must attend some form of college. It has become such a learned behavior that college choice and acceptance are decided by friendships and status. The "smart kids" were considered the ones who were accepted to the big schools such as Duke, Havard, or Brown. Students who went to PWI's were looked at differently than the ones attending HBCU's.

But does the name of your school even matter in the real world?

According to Time and the Washington Post, the school name is not as important as the skills you actually have. So if employers are seeking skill, college is not as necessary as we assume. Depending on your major, college courses teach you a standard curriculum and skill development is not present until after your second year.

Colleges drag out material for two years and when you finally begin to be taught material that is necessary for your career choice, there is no time for real-world experience. So what is the overall benefit if money is going towards two years of useless classes?

As a college student, I sometimes debate my decision of choosing college over a public library and Google. Literally, everything you need to learn can be found via the internet.

The scam of college stems from the cost. If college was really a place of self-growth and future success everyone no matter their finical status should be able to receive the same life-changing experience debt free.