TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Is a larger number of college or university graduates good or bad? - revised -

Writing Topic

Some people believe that a college or university diploma has become far less meaningful than before, with ever larger percentages of people receiving higher-levels of education. Others believe that it is a positive development to have increasing numbers of students graduating from college. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with?

 

☆Let’s Think

Discuss the following.

1.      This is a long writing topic. What would be the first thing to do to answer this kind of writing topic?

Note: The first thing to do would be to read the two opposite views carefully and analyze them. The process itself can be part of the essay. “Discuss these views” means doing this process.

 

2.      Discuss the first view. Why do you think they say this? What kind of values is the idea based on?

Note: The negative view that puts larger numbers of college students makes the diploma less meaningful reminds you of the phrase, “scarcity value”. It sees a college or university diploma as something like a commodity that has a value in the market. The market is supposedly the job market. When you apply for a job, having a higher educational background than others is an advantage. Unlike those living long time ago, however, most people go to college in developed countries now, and there is little advantage in having a bachelor’s degree when you try to find a job.

 

3.      Discuss the second view. What does development mean here? What kind of values is the idea based on?

Note: The expression “having more college graduates is a positive development” is probably about the development of society with the increase of the number of highly-educated citizens. What is good about society filled with people with higher-levels of education? Well-educated people can read and write well. They have a lot of general knowledge and have been trained to think logically and conclude based on evidences. Many of them also have special knowledge and skills for specific jobs. Developing countries with good leaders spend a lot of money on education especially on university education because they need highly-trained human resources to build their countries: engineers, doctors, office workers, teachers, and many other professions that require at least a college degree. This is fundamentally true to developed countries, too. Increasing numbers of college graduates indicates prosperity.

 

4.      What is your view on this topic? Each view has a point. The difference between these views might be the values that they are based on. What does a college diploma mean? Why do you go to college?

☆Hints for points

Discussion points on the first view

1.    If most people have a bachelor’s degree, having one means that you are average, not special.

2.    Having a college degree is no longer an advantage when you look for a good job.

3.    The trend automatically requires you to acquire more than the college or university degree to make a head-start in society.

 

Discussion points on the second view

1.    The more people go to university, the better future we will have. Highly-educated workforce will develop society. Developing countries that do not or cannot spend a lot of money on higher education stay poor. Modern industrialized society needs resourceful workers with good communication skills.

2.    Geniuses appear when the cultural level of a society is high. Statistically, children of college graduates are more likely to go college. With so many problems concerning all human beings such as energy problems and food shortage, we are in dire need of many brilliant people who can handle this situation.

3.    Well-educated citizens can protect democracy. If most people are highly educated, they can understand what politicians and corporate officials are doing and can prevent politics from going wrong.

4.    Open admission is a step to equal society. In many countries, college education is still only for the elite. Also, few women were allowed to go to college a hundred years ago. If the day comes when all people on the earth can go to college, it will be an accomplishment of humankind.

5.    Knowledge and skills acquired at college will make the person’s everyday life easier and more enjoyable. If the number of individuals who are happy increases, it can be said that it is a good thing.

 

 

☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions:

Although the hard work one does to go to college does not seem to be rewarded as many others go to college now, I personally consider it intrinsically good that more people have contact with the best in education. It will contribute to the development of society and will enrich personal lives.

 

It is true that the value of college diploma as qualification goes down as more people go to college. Having a bachelor’s degree is no longer a great advantage. In developed countries, no one makes much of a college degree anymore. Seventy years ago, graduating from college or university was an accomplishment, but now, it is a preliminary for white-color jobs.

However, it is also true that having higher numbers of college graduates is a positive development. First, it develops the economy. As the education level of a society goes up, industries will develop and the living standards of the people. Also, when the same job is done by a person with higher academic background, the society benefits from the well-educated personnel, who are trained to work effectively and pro-actively.

 

Second, it will be good for the cohesion of the community. If a larger percentage of citizens are well-educated, it will be easier to reach a consensus on issues that require higher levels of knowledge to understand. For example, today’s world is full of such issues as global warming and immigration issues. For the right perception of them, mind with accurate knowledge that is free from prejudice is required. In addition, the more conscious and informed citizens become, the more critical issues they can solve. This is especially important when they have a delinquent government. Informed citizens will not let it deceive them and ruin their lives.

 

Lastly, more individuals having the luxury of receiving higher education means more people given chances to make their lives more fulfilling. At university, people are trained to think in scientific ways, see things from multiple perspectives, and keep themselves informed and inspired even after graduation. The increasing numbers of housewives with college diplomas means more informed mothers and happier children.

 

Experiences in highly academic circumstances will light up each individual’s life and collectively this is good for society. Therefore, I believe that to have more college graduates is a positive development that should be celebrated. A bachelor’s degree is not only a qualification for job-hunting but also a building block of good society.

 

☆Your Sample Essay Structure

Reminder: The topic instructs you to discuss both views.

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】