For American's high school seniors, April is the cruelest month. That's when colleges flood postal system with news of who has won a place in next fall's freshman class. For more than a few families, a difficult decision will follow: is it worth paying some $125,000 to give their child an education at an elite private college？ Or would her future be just as bright if she went to a less expensive school？
These questions have no easy answers. It is tree that big law firms as well as those leading American establishments—Sullivan & Cromwell—a gilt-edged diploma is a distinct advantage. However, there is plenty of evidence to prove that an elite education is not that necessary. According to a survey by Fortune, the majority of top CEOs did not attend an elite college(though a small number did.)
So what kind of return is there likely to be on that $125,000 investment？ On average, a person with an undergraduate degree now earns almost twice as much as someone with only a high school diploma. Some researchers found that those who attend more prestigious schools reported higher earnings.
Then Alan Krueger, an economist at Princeton and Dale, a researcher designed a study. They found no economic advantage in attending a selective college. Their study looked at freshman class at 30 schools, ranging from Yale to Denison. Krueger and Dale's research while intriguing is not definitive. Even they themselves find it odd that the results seem to show that while there is a correlation between college selectivity and future income, the more a college costs, the higher the earning of its graduates.
Critics have questioned their research—the limited number and range of schools evaluated, and conclusions. Under such circumstances, it is hard to say which is right and which is wrong. What can be said is that 1) An elite education gives students—especially less rich ones—better access to certain kinds of elite jobs. 2) There is no economic advantage to choosing an expensive, but not very good private schools. 3) Talented students everywhere rise to the top. So the future is in the hands of young men themselves.
Why is April the cruelest month for American high school seniors？
A．Because April is the month when they have the college entrance examination.
B．Because April is the time when the high school will decide whether they can graduate or not.
C．Because April is the time for high school seniors to find jobs.
D．Because April is the month for colleges to inform. the students who will have the chance to have further education.
