I couldn't agree with you more. Whenever someone says, "Well you did it without a degree, why can't I?" I never discourage them, I simply stress the difficulty

I couldn't agree with you more. Whenever someone says, "Well you did it without a degree, why can't I?" I never discourage them, I simply stress the difficulty of their decision. Instead of credentialing with a degree, do you want to job hop for 3 years, constantly having to prove yourself time and time again just so you can move on to another company with an incrementally better salary? Do you want to be misunderstood for years at a time by strangers, friends, and family? Do you want to constantly have your opinion discounted until proven correct? These are just some of the things you'll have to deal with. When I look at my debt-ridden peers graduating from top colleges this summer, I can't help but feel happy about my head start: no debt, enough savings to do whatever I please at this point, and an above-average pedigree. But while it may sound like a "success story" to most and I am happy now, I'll be damned if there wasn't 10 years of darkness and constant feelings of inadequacy that I had to plod through very much alone. It's been one heck of a ride, that's for sure.