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What makes a major a "crap" major?

I'm going to guess he means a major that has a low probability (even in a good job market/economy) of making any sort of money, or at least a decent margin more than the student loan payments. I can see his point - its not an under appreciation of higher education, its a matter of looking at your investment (college) vs its potential pay off. Paying 200K for a college education only to come out making < 30K a year is not a wise move. I'm not saying don't pursue your dream, I am just saying maybe a state school or some classes at a local community college first would be a prudent step in lowering the cost of entry. His wording may have been off, but its still a valid point.
 
I got a BS in Construction Engineering Technology from Texas Tech which in this Economy is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Right now I am working on getting another bachelors in either Computer Science or Computer Engineering from University of Houston Clear Lake.

For people trying to decide were to go remember the name of the school means very little in the end when you are looking for a job. The most important thing is to make sure the degree and the school is accredited. It has been shown in study after study that the cost of an Ivy league does not make it up in any extra pay. They might make a little more than some one from *blank* school but we are talking 1-3% more. 1-3% more does not make up for the different of 6 figures of extra debt. Hell it has been shown that the name of the school were you got the degree is not really worth much in the end. The degree is what is important.
 
For people trying to decide were to go remember the name of the school means very little in the end when you are looking for a job. The most important thing is to make sure the degree and the school is accredited. It has been shown in study after study that the cost of an Ivy league does not make it up in any extra pay. They might make a little more than some one from *blank* school but we are talking 1-3% more. 1-3% more does not make up for the different of 6 figures of extra debt. Hell it has been shown that the name of the school were you got the degree is not really worth much in the end. The degree is what is important.


I will have to look at those studies, because in the health care field, the school matters.
 
I will have to look at those studies, because in the health care field, the school matters.

The only time it really matters is when you have to sell your skills to the stupid public. But even then I am willing to bet pay vs cost do not justify it.
The most important thing is you have an accredited degree.
 
Wow - a lot of people here...
I noticed that those who went to Ivy Leagues or "really amazing," colleges basically went for crap majors - like Latin, or Spanish, or dance. I don't see a point in those majors.

I'm going to guess he means a major that has a low probability (even in a good job market/economy) of making any sort of money, or at least a decent margin more than the student loan payments. I can see his point - its not an under appreciation of higher education, its a matter of looking at your investment (college) vs its potential pay off. Paying 200K for a college education only to come out making < 30K a year is not a wise move. I'm not saying don't pursue your dream, I am just saying maybe a state school or some classes at a local community college first would be a prudent step in lowering the cost of entry. His wording may have been off, but its still a valid point.

I was about to give a good response to the first post when I read the second post. I think the second one cleared it up. Maybe he wasn't saying that the "crap" majors aren't worth it, but going to an extremely expensive school to get a "crap" major is not always the best idea.

Let's look at my family. My sister and step brother both went to expensive schools and got "real" majors. Both came out of school and got jobs they didn't like. My sister is still barely making ends meet. I, on the other hand, went to an inexpensive state school and majored in theater) even though I was HIGHLY pressured to get a "real" major), because it's what I wanted to do.

I love what I do for a living, and make a load more money...yes, in theater/production. My step-brother just finished going back to school, and my sister is planning on it. So yet more spent in the pursuit of a "real" degree.

Going to the expensive school and getting the "real" degree isn't always the road to success. Sometimes the cheap school and a "crap" degree works just as well.
 
Undergrad: Colorado State University - BS in Mechanical Engineering - 2003-2008 (yes I went 5 years lol)

Grad: Colorado State University - Masters in Atmospheric Science - 2010-2012

Will probably go for a PhD afterwards at CSU or CU

Nothing wrong with taking five years to finish a BSME, some colleges are now offering it as a five year program. I know that my husband and most of his friends that he graduated with from UC Davis did it in five years.
 
Nothing wrong with taking five years to finish a BSME, some colleges are now offering it as a five year program. I know that my husband and most of his friends that he graduated with from UC Davis did it in five years.

This is what I loved about colleges/universities overseas, at least in Australia.

You could get your BA or BS degree there within 2 years. The key factor is that all of those 'general education requirements' that they say you have to take here, down there, they give those during high school. So you only have to take the classes you NEED for the degree there.

Plus, the degree transfers cleanly. If you got the degree in 2 years down there, for year 3 here, you could start your Masters.

BL.
 
The only time it really matters is when you have to sell your skills to the stupid public. But even then I am willing to bet pay vs cost do not justify it.
The most important thing is you have an accredited degree.

I would have to disagree with that. An undergrad degree from a hot school is weighed higher than a state school when it comes to applying for Med, Pharm or dental. I did admissions interviews for my pharmacy school (top 10) so I know that for sure. When presented with two applicants with comparable GPAs, and extra curriculars, the school wins out. So in that sense it is important for you to have that leg up for even a chance at a professional program. Getting into that professional program leads to getting that degree along with a STRONG education which leads to clinical positions and specialties which lead to higher pay.

If your school does not prepare you as it should you will be in a world of hurt as a health professional. The difference between good schools and EXCELLENT schools is huge.
 
Missouri S&T (formerly known as University of Missouri-Rolla). Started with computer science, switched to information science and technology my sophomore year because I didn't want to be a programmer, graduated with a B.S. in that, now in the real world I'm a programmer. Go figure.
 
If your school does not prepare you as it should you will be in a world of hurt as a health professional. The difference between good schools and EXCELLENT schools is huge.
The emphasis has to be in your field because in mine the school means nothing.

In my opinion and through my personal experience the school you went to may get your foot in the door faster but when up against another applicant with the same degree the one who is most qualified wins. Qualified does not necessarily mean you sat your ass in a chair at a tier 1 school for 4 years.

Wow - a lot of people here...
I noticed that those who went to Ivy Leagues or "really amazing," colleges basically went for crap majors - like Latin, or Spanish, or dance. I don't see a point in those majors.

What makes a major a "crap" major?
Whatever the answer take it with a grain of salt considering the literary gem that is otherwise called the title of this thread ... "Where do YOU go to college or went?" ;)
 
For people trying to decide were to go remember the name of the school means very little in the end when you are looking for a job. The most important thing is to make sure the degree and the school is accredited. It has been shown in study after study that the cost of an Ivy league does not make it up in any extra pay. They might make a little more than some one from *blank* school but we are talking 1-3% more. 1-3% more does not make up for the different of 6 figures of extra debt. Hell it has been shown that the name of the school were you got the degree is not really worth much in the end. The degree is what is important.[/QUOTE]

I will have to look at those studies, because in the health care field, the school matters.

I was going to say, OP care to reference those "statistics"?

I would have to disagree with that. An undergrad degree from a hot school is weighed higher than a state school when it comes to applying for Med, Pharm or dental. I did admissions interviews for my pharmacy school (top 10) so I know that for sure. When presented with two applicants with comparable GPAs, and extra curriculars, the school wins out. So in that sense it is important for you to have that leg up for even a chance at a professional program. Getting into that professional program leads to getting that degree along with a STRONG education which leads to clinical positions and specialties which lead to higher pay.

If your school does not prepare you as it should you will be in a world of hurt as a health professional. The difference between good schools and EXCELLENT schools is huge.

The emphasis has to be in your field because in mine the school means nothing.

In my opinion and through my personal experience the school you went to may get your foot in the door faster but when up against another applicant with the same degree the one who is most qualified wins. Qualified does not necessarily mean you sat your ass in a chair at a tier 1 school for 4 years.
)

unfortunately, it usually does though for the search committee doing the hiring :rolleyes:

it's funny that the OP made that comment about schools when he is going for an MBA and the ONLY thing that matters for that particular degree is the name of the school. UCLA is a relatively top business school so he should get a job in this economy (if he finishes the program) but not necessarily a great job. I have quite a few friends who finished MBA's at Columbia and even they had a hard time getting high paying positions when the economy was at it's worst. And that IS a top MBA program. OP try getting your MBA from a Cal state school and come back and tell us about how the name of the school doesn't matter :rolleyes:
 
The emphasis has to be in your field because in mine the school means nothing.

I was speaking to Rodimus Prime's generalization that in every single case, the school does not matter. In the healthcare field it matters to my own experience. Could be the same with others. Maybe the same with vocational schools and then like.
 
If your school does not prepare you as it should you will be in a world of hurt as a health professional. The difference between good schools and EXCELLENT schools is huge.

The potential for difference is high - but that goes with out saying.

Someone that is paying $100k a year on school (which i think your equating as an excellent school) and someone that is paying $10k a year on school (which i think your equating as a good school) may not find work or still get passed over just as easily as any other person.

How many in the medical field (in any sub field) have been hired because they interviewed with an alumni of their college or a social/school group they were part of? Does that mean they are a quality medical practitioner just cause they went to the same school?

There are lot's of debates on this - in reality, shouldn't we all be happy to see people getting a higher education rather than sitting on their ass collecting social welfare?
 
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BioChemistry
 
No Brits yet? Guess I'll be the first

University of Southampton - MENG Mechanical Engineering currently, just finished my second year

I wanted to be the first Brit, now I'm not even the first Brit called Richard!

BSc(hons) Computer Science from the University of Manchester.

EDIT: Graduated 2006
 
The potential for difference is high - but that goes with out saying.

Someone that is paying $100k a year on school (which i think your equating as an excellent school) and someone that is paying $10k a year on school (which i think your equating as a good school) may not find work or still get passed over just as easily as any other person.

How many in the medical field (in any sub field) have been hired because they interviewed with an alumni of their college or a social/school group they were part of? Does that mean they are a quality medical practitioner just cause they went to the same school?

There are lot's of debates on this - in reality, shouldn't we all be happy to see people getting a higher education rather than sitting on their ass collecting social welfare?


This is true, but if you read what my post was in reference to I think you have have a better idea of the point I was making. The specific point that I made there in that sentence is that if you go to a weaker school..you may have a weaker education..in terms of health care.

Furthermore the cost of the school is actually NOT what I meant by excellent and good. The difference in calibre of education is what i meant, and a lot of times this involves ranking (which I admit is biased as well). My point was to Rodimus Prime in his contention that school does not matter. In the health care field it does. For example. I go to a top 10 pharmacy school. Because it is a top 10, I have professors who are world famous and hugely respected for their research. These professors are on the cutting edge of their fields. They not only teach us to a higher standard, but allow us to work with them, to network. You can name drop these guys who wrote chapters in the textbooks you read from (I have several profs like that who are my personal advisors). these higher ranked institutions hold themselves to a higher standard - therefore offer more services (my rotations are developed for me, so I don't have to go out and look for preceptors myself). My school is linked with Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Systems - top universities and institutions. You have more of an arsenal in on your curriculum vitae, and while you still have the chance of getting passed over in a job interview, you bolster your chances of being an asset with this stronger background. Sometimes these higher cost schools and Ivy leagues and top ranked schools - give you a leg up.


Anyway you are right that there is debate about this...but I think all inclusive statements and generalizations are misleading.
 
I was speaking to Rodimus Prime's generalization that in every single case, the school does not matter. In the healthcare field it matters to my own experience. Could be the same with others. Maybe the same with vocational schools and then like.

But I am willing to bet that even you will admit that the school is pretty low on the list of things you are looking at.

GPA and degree from an accredited school seem to be the top ones on your list.

I am not auguring that the name of the school does not matter. But I am saying over all it does not matter much as the GPA and accreditation. When the margins are very tight yes name matters but even then GPA and degree matter more.
I know for medical degrees it is VERY competitive and many could let in only 4.0 students and still have more applying than they could accepted. Things get weird when you go 4.0 only but that is beside the point.

But in finding a job most of the time the name of the school matters very little across the board and I think the studies have shown that pay is not that much higher to justify the extra cost.
 
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