The Hustler recently announced that the early decision Class of 2013 is the most competitive ever. If I were a high school senior, around this time, I would be thrilled upon receiving an acceptance letter from Vanderbilt. To attend one of the nation’s best universities — and leave it virtually debt free — and to do it in one of the worst economic periods, yes, I would be going nuts!
The expanded aid program is just the perfect move by Vanderbilt to help students reduce economic burdens in the current times of hardship. The entering Class of 2013 will be a fortunate class to have all their need-based student loans replaced with Vanderbilt grants and scholarships in all its four years. Pause and think for a moment of this immensity.
In light of the economic stress students in the U.S. face, early in February Sen. Lamar Alexander, former governor of Tennessee and former Secretary of Education, urged universities to reduce tuition. To deal with the rising cost of higher education, he suggested community colleges be tuition free and colleges offer students the option of a three-year bachelor’s degree. While our institution is already one step ahead of Sen. Alexander, we should focus more on his latter proposal.
It is an innovative idea well-suited to meet the demands of the exponentially increasing amount of knowledge and the current economic crisis. Let’s face it — we can’t learn it all. I remember enrolling in a course called Bangladesh: History and Identity at my previous institution. I don’t remember over 90 percent of its material, but I was required to take it or another such history course. My time and money were spent on 24 such course credits — nearly a year’s worth — in fields not interesting to me nor necessary for my career, yet required to graduate, was not worthwhile.
Instead, in a three-year program, students would prepare for their chosen careers. They will acquire the knowledge they need to begin their careers together with lifelong learning skills, such as writing, verbal reasoning, research methods, data analysis and accessing resources and relevant information, to help them manage the vast body of knowledge in their fields.
Because the program will be focused and geared toward their interested careers, students will find it attractive, more enjoyable and high quality. More importantly, in the highly competitive job market, it will improve their chances of beginning a successful career early.
The time it takes to start a career has grown, requiring one to overcome more and more hurdles. To practice medicine independently, for example, requires eight to 12 years after college, with residencies and fellowships taking four to eight years after medical school. Astonishingly, to become an assistant professor takes a similar number of years after college. One has to wiggle through internships and post-doctoral years before they are competitive to apply for a position. In many science-orientated academic careers, one begins earning the expected salary right before the age of 40, when life is half over. For many, this means late retirement.
The option of a three-year bachelor’s degree is a solution worth pursing. Not only will it save Vanderbilt (and other colleges) money, but its graduates will enjoy a better quality of education, an early lead in the competitive job market and successful careers. Think about it — it’s not too good to be true.
Akshitkumar Mistry is a second year student in the Medical School. He can be reached at akshitkumar.m.mistry@vanderbilt.edu.
