The following letter was submitted as a message to the graduates of the Class of 2024.
The the Editor:
Congratulations on graduation. You did something difficult for which you get lots of praise and celebration. Enjoy your victory!
In this town, we celebrate getting into college and think not going to college is a failure. I would know because I grew up in this town. Back then it felt like everyone was going to college and so should I. So I spent most of my junior and senior year deciding where to attend college. This wasn’t a complete mistake per se, rather it was a period of foolishness where I missed the true point of the college search. The real point is that you are trying to make a decision that maximizes your total return on your time, energy, and money.
Earlier this month there was an op-ed in CT Insider that supported the concept of student debt. Student debt can be used wisely, of course. However, it should be carefully considered until you have a better understanding of your future earning power and ability to service debt. For most 18-year-olds from Wilton, college preparation is enough of a challenge. Deciding how to pay for college is a serious distraction to college preparation and it can affect the decision-making process in a way that can make your education suboptimal.
We talk about college readiness but what about the readiness to be able to apply leverage intelligently? Hard-working, intellectually curious students have four years to show institutions that they are worth investing in through scholarships. If you are unable to earn a scholarship this admissions cycle you should probably really consider if you are ready to go into debt.
If you are the type of young adult who has the courage to admit that you are not ready to take on debt you might be wondering what to do next. As far-fetched as this may sound to the average Wilton kid, I would recommend joining the military as I did. Joining the armed services is rarely discussed in town. When it is discussed you might hear: “Wait until you get a degree and be an officer,” [or] “You might die,” or something else along those lines.
What those well-intentioned sages miss is that you can sign up for a non-combat job where you will learn how to be an adult, learn a trade, have the opportunity of taking community college for free, and get paid while doing so. And the option to become an officer or extended career development both in and out of the service is always on the table. You might even get to travel a bit. But the biggest benefit is the G.I. Bill. Roughly speaking, four years of service means they will pay for four years of college.
In addition, you will greatly enhance your chances of getting into an Ivy League university after you finish your contract. Joining the military is the most surefire way to gain admission to the top schools. As a veteran, you are considered differently than other applicants and most schools are very eager to accept such candidates. So while going to college and drinking till the cows come home might be your biggest priority, I promise you there is plenty of that ahead of you anyway. You just needn’t go into debt to do it.
Liam Murray