Speaking as someone who is about 3/4 way through a degree, I would definately suggest goin, both from the educational point of view and also because you will meet some great people. I have made some friends who will stay with me forever.
I dunno if they do it "over there", but "over here" (UK) not many unis do an industrial year (what I is on atm). If you can find one that does, I thoroughly recommend goin for it!
Yes, getting a college degree is not so much an asset but not getting one is definitely a detriment. IMHO you must get a college degree to be on an equal playing field with everyone else. And if you don't have one, then you're already 12 steps behind. My advice: get a degree, AND the experience, and then you're really putting yourself ahead.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
Yes, getting a college degree is not so much an asset but not getting one is definitely a detriment.
Yes, unfortunately I believe that is true. I'm sure I won't ever regret getting it once I have it, but it's just looking at it now not knowing if I need it... You get the picture. 
Well, it looks like it's unanimous that a degree is fairly important. I'm currently planning on taking a year off and seeing what I can find, then I'll probably go to college when I don't find anything. Oh well, such is life. College would probably be good for me anyway. 
Another thing about college (and I have to admit I'm mentally translating this to cover "tertiary education institute" in general), and it is (in my mild opinion) a fairly important one, is the cultural aspect - the sciences in particular (geeks rule). My main experience is University, but I've also had the acquaintance of a couple of technical institutes and it seemed much the same there. I think the phrase I'd sum it up with would be "inherently subversive" - on so many levels.
Just out of question, what's the different between the US college and the UK university? We have colleges over here. and they tend to be places where people around the ages of 17-18 go to do their A levels (pre-uni exams)
Hmm, no expert, but here's a very generalized overview.
Junior college --- 2 year program, Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree.
College --- 4 year program, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sciences, Bachelor of ... widely varied, the school is usually smaller and usually doesn't offer much in the way of "advanced" degrees (ie, after bachelors). Subdivisions of the college are "schools", (School of Mathematics and Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Philosophy and Social Sciences, the School of Religion, the School of Fine Arts, etc.) [usually named after a big donor, heh] and the percentage of profs having doctorates is probably 50% or less. Less emphasis on pure research and more on creating educated personages as graduates...
Note that I said very generalized
University --- also a 4 year program, Bachelor's degrees as above, larger in terms of population and facilities, generally, subdivisions are called "Colleges", higher percentage of profs with doctorate and post-doctoral work, more emphasis on research, etc. Advanced degrees (Masters and Doctorate) offered in many subjects.
The "University" I attended was a "College" until the late 1970's. When I got there it was still small, and still offered no graduate work. By the time I left they were offering two types of Masters' degrees.
I guess the real point is that over here, it's often a matter of "perception factor" ...
depends what u want to do.
For me its a waste of money. Teachers read out of a book didnt know what they were teaching.. only went one semister. College sucks
I work as a network admin/web admin/ systems admin/ and soon linux admin
make 80k + no certs or anything. All experiance.. oh and im only 22
Digital, I think you should consider yourself very lucky- and the exception, certainly not the rule. Actually, I liked college- a great experience that taught you to live with people you didn't know, figure out where to go on an unfamiliar campus, deal with collegiate red tape and cram for exams. It's not just about the books, it's about being a rounder person.
(And considering I gained the "freshman 15" I was much rounder.)
No seriously, college is an "experience" not just a "school". You meet people you will never forget and experience things you just can't in the "real world". I graduated early, and I wish I would have stayed there 
Originally posted by DigitalExpl0it
depends what u want to do.
For me its a waste of money. Teachers read out of a book didnt know what they were teaching.. only went one semister. College sucks
I work as a network admin/web admin/ systems admin/ and soon linux admin
make 80k + no certs or anything. All experiance.. oh and im only 22
Looks like English was not your forte, then.
I think college sucks too. I hated school.
However, I have earned the right to say that both by getting good marks and also having completed college.
School sucks, but all the additional things I learned (most of which are not really expressable) were golden. Everybody who has gone to college knows what I mean by that statement.
Take time off (I took 5 years off), get a job (my jobs during that time have lead to where I am today), but when you are finished (whether you are 23 or 40 or whatever) you will be very happy that you did it.
Good luck...v
On my part I am applying to NUS school of computing, should be getting a reply by June.
I think another good part here would be networking, as in human networking among fellow students.
Later in life these people could well provide invaluable help, especially in Singapore where the population size is relatively small.
laserlight Did you get accepted into NUS?
Thread revived by a couple spammers after 16 years -- a new record?
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