Comment by theLotusGambit

Perspective (anecdote) from a high school student: There is a real push for college. It's an unstated assumption that you're going to go, and the topic of debt seems to be passively avoided ("Don't worry, it'll all work out!"). We receive a grade for the college application process, so you can't not apply. College is still probably a good deal the majority of the time I think, but I wish there was some acknowledgement that it is less important in some fields than others. As for me, I think I'll take a pass on it, for now anyway. There's always time to change my mind later on.