<p>Mensa160, that is true, you do get what you pay for. However the cost is often not measured in dollars and cents. This is particularly true of education. A perfect example is our President, and I do not want to have this devolve into a political debate. I am only trying to illustrate my point. Here is a person educated at Andover, Yale and Harvard, but I suspect that most people would not consider him a well read or educated person.</p>
<p>I contend that the cost one pays in order to become an educated person involves ones desire to learn and willingness to spend countless hours working toward that end. It involves the curiosity to venture beyond the course syllabus and college degree requirements. It entails the creative choice of electives. It depends on professors who can teach and inspire you. </p>
<p>None of these can be purchased in the common sense. And it is important to understand that the purpose of an education is not to help a student to earn a living but to teach that student how to live.</p>
<p>While I would not discourage any student from attending a “prestigous” college, I would also not delude that student into believing that attending would grarantee a superior education.</p>