11/1/16

Future President

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington D.C. 20500

Dear Future President of the United States,

Students all over the world have to decide if they want to attend college, a large factor in this decision is cost. I as a high school student who would like to attend college in the future, think that it is important that college is something that is accessible to everyone. “‘If you look at the long term trend [college tuition] has been rising almost six percent above the rate of inflation,’ said Ray Franke, a professor of education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston” (Schoen 7). College tuition costs should be lowered because it creates a lot of debt & stress, can even prevent some students from being able to attend college in the first place, and limits students from having choices.

First, college tuition should be lowered because it creates a lot of debt & stress. “When students are forced to delay buying their first home because of student debt, they are more inclined to delay getting married, having children, and pursuing medical/dental care” (Pumphrey 3). College graduates are putting their lives on hold, because of their student debt. Much of the time, they are forced to go back and live at home, which also puts stress on their parents and prevents them from being self sufficient adults. They are forced to focus only on making money to pay off these debts, instead of progressing in their lives.

Secondly, the high cost of college tuition can even eliminate the option for many deserving, intelligent students to even attend a four year college. Many students choose to attend technical college or start their own business to avoid high student loans, which in turn can limit their income in the future. “Unfortunately, rising costs also influence many students to drop out of college entirely” (Pumphrey 2). Even though some students are forced to drop out of college because of the high cost, still have loans to pay off, but no degree to show for it. College tuition costs are so high, that it makes students hesitant about attending college, and more likely to drop out.

Lastly, college tuition costs should be lowered because it limits students from having choices. All students have many interests, some of which are more expensive to go to college for than others. If a student wants to go to college for a certain career, they may not be able to if it carries a high tuition cost. For example, my uncle was very passionate about art in high school and wanted to go to a prestigious art school. However, my grandparents could not afford to send him to that school and did not know how to handle the large application process, therefore limiting my uncle from doing what he wanted to do. Students have choices, but sometimes the high cost of college can affect these choices, and they may not end up doing what they are most passionate about.

So as a high school student who is dreaming of attending college in the future, I wish for the cost of college tuition to go down rather than up. So that as a result, I have a better chance of having a successful future. The cost of college tuition should be lowered because it causes stress & debt, can prevent students from attending college in the first place, and limits students from making choices. By making college more accessible for everyone who has a desire to attend, we as a country, would be enriching the future of our young Americans, and investing in the future of our Nation.

Sincerely, 

Peach