3 ms·

Many countries provide free (you don't even have to buy overpriced books or any other scam) education on all levels (including PhD). Even the middling ones like

by lrem 9y ago

Many countries provide free (you don't even have to buy overpriced books or any other scam) education on all levels (including PhD). Even the middling ones like Poland. You simply estimate your rough requirements for different specialties and fund that many students. Admissions can become somewhat cutthroat (50 applicants per slot are not unheard of), but that only works for the better.

Paul-ish 9y ago
> Admissions can become somewhat cutthroat This is what I've heard about a lot of places that provide good higher education. I would be concerned in the US that college readiness correlates a little bit too closely to familial wealth.
- goldfeld 9y ago
  That's why you'd have the usual frat jocks as opposed to third-world public admissions where everyone ought to be dedicated.
- zaarn 9y ago
  Atleast in germany, the only thing that matters is your grade. When a course in a university has more applicants than slots, the required grades are lowered (1 or 15 being best, 6 or 1 worst depending on your previous education) until the number of applicants fits into the number of slots. Since all previous education is free, family wealth matters little (though it still plays a role)
errantblaze 9y ago
Would you say that this is generally the type of model people are campaigning for in the U.S. when "free college" is mentioned? Years ago, I had initially assumed people were applying that phrase the to the current U.S. model, where almost anyone can get into somewhere, as long as they can pay (not just tuition, but living expenses and time as well), with some programs being very easy, and they wanted all of that covered.
- lrem 9y ago
  I'm not familiar with the sentiments on the other side of the pond. But what you outline boils down to absolutely no requirements. If your government would also provide students with free/subsidized housing and food, you'd quickly see unsustainable numbers of students.

by lrem 9y ago

Paul-ish 9y ago

> Admissions can become somewhat cutthroat This is what I've heard about a lot of places that provide good higher education. I would be concerned in the US that college readiness correlates a little bit too closely to familial wealth.

goldfeld 9y ago
That's why you'd have the usual frat jocks as opposed to third-world public admissions where everyone ought to be dedicated.
zaarn 9y ago
Atleast in germany, the only thing that matters is your grade. When a course in a university has more applicants than slots, the required grades are lowered (1 or 15 being best, 6 or 1 worst depending on your previous education) until the number of applicants fits into the number of slots. Since all previous education is free, family wealth matters little (though it still plays a role)

errantblaze 9y ago

Would you say that this is generally the type of model people are campaigning for in the U.S. when "free college" is mentioned? Years ago, I had initially assumed people were applying that phrase the to the current U.S. model, where almost anyone can get into somewhere, as long as they can pay (not just tuition, but living expenses and time as well), with some programs being very easy, and they wanted all of that covered.

lrem 9y ago
I'm not familiar with the sentiments on the other side of the pond. But what you outline boils down to absolutely no requirements. If your government would also provide students with free/subsidized housing and food, you'd quickly see unsustainable numbers of students.