Author Charles Murray says there are too many people who go to college without actually saying it. The essay is written in such a way that its audience, once they finish reading, will understand that it has many valid points. He persuades his readers with facts and counters arguments with false stereotypes involving college and success. Wondering if college is for everyone makes “you” the reader want to rethink whether or not your time in college was really worth it in the end. The essay begins with Murray saying that obviously more people should be encouraged to go to college, then counters with a yes and no to the question. He agrees that yes, getting an education is important, but most people choose what they should have learned years before reaching the college level. The way people see college as a way to succeed does not sit well with them as it gives many reasons why this is false. The statement “college is seen as an open sesame to a good job and a desirable way for teenagers to transition into adulthood.” proves this point. He argues that yes, getting an education is important but it's not always the best way. The hypothetical example involving a student who chooses to attend college for business or become an electrician. So providing an example of why it would probably be better to become an electrician rather than go to college to do something that might not be as successful as he might have been if he had worked as an electrician helps prove his point. Murray continues to argue that the view of college is flawed and that many would be better off looking for better options rather than following the crowd and going to college. The essay is written in a very critical style where the reader will feel like they have been wasted. ..... middle of paper ...... a career towards something that guarantees a successful life. This negative light gives many students the ugly side of college that perhaps isn't as great as it seems. The function of the sage is to dissuade students from becoming like sheep and following social norms. Murray wants students to be informed before making decisions that can change the outcome of their lives for many years. My opinion on this essay is that it is very well written and informative. The essay gives me the pros and cons of college that I didn't realize when I began my studies. The essay did what it was supposed to do, which was help me and many other students think carefully about our future and what is truly best for us. I guess you could say the essay did its job because it made me think about what if the decision to go to college wasn't the best one for me, maybe I should have done something else.