Why, after 3 degrees, I hate college
 

I want to take an auto AC course from a local community college. I have been to school before.

These egg suckers have a real racket going here.

I have to take so many prerequisite and orientation courses, pay other fees and complete "supplementary" courses, including an English course, that the bill is $ 1140.00, even though the actual course only costs 228.00 plus books.

No wonder no one can afford school. It's a fricking institutional racket.

I should go to the Free University in Berlin and take my AC course. Even with plane fare it might cost less :mad:

St Andrews and Nappier University in Edinburgh are running summer courses on any subject for flat fee of £120.00. They do that every year since I remember....it was like that when I graduated......23 years ago :D Gosh I am getting old :eek:

You can get a return flight from NY to Edinburgh and back for $350.00 :)

What other courses did you have to take? Once you take them you're set right?

College is highly over-rated unless you are a professional, ie, doctor, lawyer, accountant or dentist. It has become a self-perpetuating enterprise just like secondary education, the war on drugs, war on crime, war on cancer, war on terror, etc. If your parents can afford the tuition, fine, but I don't see the point of going into debt to the tune of $100-200K and then having to work three jobs at Burger King and Home Depot because there are no real jobs anymore. I think the future of many young people today would be better served by learning a trade such as plumbing, HVAC repair, electrician, or auto repair.

What sucks is, most HR monkeys these days check the "college degree" box that filters out all resumes who don't hold a degree.

Community college degrees are great degrees for people and shouldn't be scoffed at, but still this world is all about who you know and how you can network.

In this respect the Euro system is better. A bunch of individual institutes based on subject matter, linked loosely by a University "umbrella."

All apprenticeships are no kidding tough, and unlike the UAW and unions here in the States, there are no free rides based on seniority, race, union connections, etc. You actually have to earn your apprenticeship.

Case in point: I wrote the trobleshooting manual for the Landis 5R crankpin grinder in 1978 after doing a study at Chrysler's Mound Road engine plant. I was working for Chrysler at the time. We couldn't find any electricians in the plant or in the Engine and Casting Division who knew how to troubleshoot the machines. We then went to the authorized parts supplier, Grinders for Industry, Inc., in Novi Mich., and used their subject matter expert to help. He could not do much more. So we went to the manufacturer, Landis, in Pennsylvania, for their review. They wanted to buy the rights to the book. Chrysler said no, but they worked out a deal anyway.

The so called "journeymen electricians" at the plant had been working on these machines for nine years and it was only after the Crankshaft Dept had a 50% + SCRAP rate that we got called in to help.

So where was our brilliant journeyman expertise?

Answer: The guys who worked on the Landis machines got to do it by seniority, whether they knew anything or not.

Solidarity forever!

Would you like your surgeons to be selected in the same way?

Orientation? :rolleyes:
Pre reqs??? Such as?? You want to take something basic, principles and such?
JC, aren't three degrees and a career enough orentiation? :eek:
Michigan huh? figures.;) The shining beacon of public education.:rolleyes:

How about a Vo-tech HS offeriing?? (I'm serious.:o) Or are you looking for something more advanced?

What would you expect them to do? Waive you thru as an exception but all others who need to take that class have to do the pre-reqs? If you think you have such a strong case, make it to the Dean and see if he will waive it for you. Having 3 degrees, you should know better.

Well, perhaps the standards and pre reqs for a MI community college are based on the acheivement levels of many MI high school graduates. Can only read at 7th grade level? Well, you have to take a prereq course in reading to get to 12th grade levels. Half the kids in Detroit public schools fail to graduate, I believe.

I don't think he's looking for head of the line privileges. Just railing against he system.(you know, like I am;):o)

I'd say it is based off the LACK OF achievement unless speaking in Broken English is a part of success. In college, I have seen the the pre-reqs are fairly necessary if you want to graduate by more than the skin of your teeth. I think the CC is basing these requirements off what you should have if you want a kollege degree and not that he has an interest in that one class. Like I said, he needs to make his case to the dean if he wants an exemption from pre-reqs

Problem is that a system is set up for a bunch of people and not an individual needs. Pretty much like going to a mess hall. Food will not be as good as you going to a restaurant and it is made to your specs.

I only have one degree, and I hated school before I even showed up.

As to your situation...

See if there are any private schools in your area. Something like "Fred's School of Refrig" or something. If the school has a good rep it will get you hired just as fast as a degree from a Community school.

In Texas you have to serve two years under a lisenced contractor before you can get your own contractors lisence, but you can get your education anywhere. Call a big contractor before you go anywhere and tell them what you are planning and ask them what are the best schools in the area and who do they recommend.

I knew a guy who did this. He worked out a deal with the lisenced contractor to go out on his own while paying the LC a 10% commission on all of his jobs. The LC had the ultimate responsiblity for the fellows' work, but he trusted him and just did a final inspection on his installations.

A/C is here to stay. It may not be as confortable as working in an office, but the pay is good and the job is secure.

You think $1100 is bad? Each one of my classes is $1800 and that is considered cheap, my gf is at $2400 for her psych program...and the prerequisite for both was a $200k education. I had second thoughts about wanting to be a college professor because they get paid so little (comparably to others of similar education) that I'd be lucky to pay loans and interest by the time I die.

Look through this site and see if they offer what you want. I got my section 609 certification from them although I also have my universal ref. license from a different source.

http://www.epatest.com/

Guys, I really don't know how any normal working class person here in the US can get any education. I feel for you, and this is not a joke. I really feel your pain.
Just have a look the fees at St Andrews my Academical "Birth Place" :)

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/money/Tuitionfees/

They charge more for anybody outside EU, but even that is still way cheaper than what your system is charging you.

Even medicine is £2895.00 for the WHOLE year. This is about 2,1/2 monthly salary of someone that is working in a grocery store.... So if you do 5 years it is about £15000.00 for the LOT. After that if you go to do PhD is £3400.00 per year.

As per British government the average graduate today is in debt between £25 and £35 K...here I've read articles for people coming out of Medical schools with $500 K debt. :eek::(:eek:

No
 

Someone is pulling your chain...

OCC offers it

AUTOMOBILE SERVICING

ATA 1800 Automotive Air Conditioning and Heating

county residents = $275.40
Other MI residents = $550.00 includes books etc.
no prerequisites + show your degrees and they exempt you from the basic english placement test.

You need to register today for the summer course that starts July 7...
I just spoke with "Anna" 248-232-4350, there until 8:00 PM.

http://www.oaklandcc.edu/FutureStudents/AdmissionOffices.aspx