We do we still value a certain school more than the actual degree?!

Why we should get rid of the mindset that some universities are better than others just because they are popular and famous.

Why is it that some universities are valued more than others if they all need to fulfill the same accreditation and academic standards? What does that to people? Why is learning this competitive, and shouldn’t it be more about the best choice for each person than which school you received your education from? 

According to some, you could be a really bad student but still feel accomplished with a generic ”passed” from a popular ”elite” school and be classified as not a good with a ”distinction” from a more affordable school. Why? It’s equally as hard to pass the exams and assignments… so why is this mindset so inherent?

It’s both classist and ableist to devalue more affordable universities – here is why!

Yes, it takes a lot to get into a more popular school, but that is because of the high demand and because you fit its standards. In other words, you fit the box society put you in. And you’re also most certainly a neurotypical normative person. But what if you are disabled or come from another less fortunate background? To me, it’s highly classist and ableist to devalue affordable education, just because people don’t take misfortune into account when they get impressed by elite universities and their students. It’s an unconscious bias towards the upper class, people naturally want to be more like them… Without thinking who it hurts to have that mindset! It’s also a huge misunderstanding that the more affordable schools would have less quality in academic performance and material. In my personal experience with both an ”elite” school versus more affordable ones, I can say that I felt more at home in the affordable options. I think that is because I don’t have to hide my flaws and background. I can discuss with people with confidence because people who choose affordable tend to be more down to earth, and know about different life situations better. Thus, more open-minded. 

In my opinion, most people in elite schools are somewhat privileged and that comes with a cost: the cost of not knowing hardships at the same level some of us do!

It’s an unconscious bias towards the upper class, people naturally want to be more like them… Without thinking who it hurts to have that mindset!

Higher education shouldn’t be gatekept at all

I think there should be prerequisites just for the sole purpose of knowing if you have what it takes to study in higher education. Not because you have something to prove or to elbow yourself forward alongside other students.

I don’t think we should gatekeep higher education in the sense that it shouldn’t be restricted in who gets in but rather what it takes to get in. What I mean by that is that it should be for everyone who feels suited for that level of study, no matter of who you are.

I don’t think we should gatekeep higher education in the sense that it shouldn’t be restricted in who gets in but rather what it takes to get in.

Education shouldn’t be competitive

The only person we should compete with is ourselves, and I think pretty much everyone will agree on that. Until it really comes to it, they still compare themselves with others. And who is at fault for that? When we teach students that some schools are “better” than others even though the accreditation and material is the same…

It’s like we have built education like luxury brands. It’s still the same fucking t-shirt but with a badge on it!

Is that really an educational system we want?

I don’t want that at least! That’s why I do my best to shift peoples’ minds a bit. Little by little, and by questioning “why!”.

It’s like we have built education like luxury brands. It’s still the same fucking t-shirt but with a badge on it!

Accessible education is better for everyone 

Wouldn’t we excel as a society if as many as possible get further education? To me learning is a human right. Not only up to high school, but up to doctorate if you so choose! Every person who feels called to that path should be granted the opportunity.

If we as a society shall thrive, I think everyone called to an academic path should be able to get a chance to be involved in that. No if, shoulds or buts! The richer just get richer and poorer gets poorer. Money shouldn’t be a barrier for education even though I know it is for so many people across the globe.

Final thoughts

So I don’t understand why universities like the University of the People don’t get praised more. Unlike other universities they actually try to make it accessible for people and try to make a change in the world. Even Open University is a university that is more open and affordable, as the name suggests. And still nobody talks about it.

I mean without the scholarship I was granted on UoPeople I wouldn’t have the option to take the new academic route I’m going to start the next term. I have literally zero savings because I live pay check to pay check. 

But now I think we’re entering a new era of acceptance and openness. 

Our work should be seen no matter where we did it.