Benefits of a four-year residential colleges - Essay Example

The consideration of the four-year residential colleges by Murray is quite significant in that the study on its benefits and weakness derive its importance. Since not everybody can access university education subject to limitations of resources, pass marks required, and the need for skills, it is thus necessary to analyze other alternative sources of practical and vocational education that include the Four-Year Residential Colleges. According to Murray, the question as to whether too many people are going to colleges, forces us to consider the importance and nature of a liberal education.

He notes that since universities seek to provide knowledge and skills that lead to productivity and capability among citizens then unlimited number of people should seek this knowledge (Murray 222). He however realizes that all Americans should acquire basic or the core knowledge that denotes their identity. This knowledge emanates from elementary school to eighth grade and is necessary for all. Henceforth, Murray notes that the core knowledge approach should proceed after the eighth grade to at least high school level thereby allowing interested students to pursue relevant courses in social sciences and humanities.

He equally acknowledges the need to access liberal college education by academically able students. Indeed, he denotes that college education is tough, more beneficial and thus has stricter requirements. However, he establishes the fact that most of the students who have ability in liberal education conspicuously lack interest in it subject to its boredom and difficultness. As such, he reckons that many academically able students choose to pursue practical and vocational education that takes four-years in a residential college (Murray 222-225).

Subject to the importance of college education that entails studies in medicine, law, accountants, software developers, journalists, teachers, football coaches and other courses, college education is thus inevitable in any nation. Nevertheless, the time it takes, the resources, the level of knowhow required, and the significance of distinct courses in the society warrants a consideration unto the benefits of Four-Year Residential Colleges. Four-Year Residential Colleges offers a wide variety of living, dining, and entertainment options for all level of students.

It equally creates a learning atmosphere that allows superb interactions between junior students, upper-class students and graduate students thus encouraging fruitful discussions relating to both college-based academic and nonacademic programs. Additionally, residential colleges offered better library services, many scholarship opportunities, and utmost interaction between students and teachers. Nevertheless, the need to have Four-Year Residential Colleges faces huge demerits that surpass the benefits.

Hence, the notion that Four-Year Residential Colleges are not beneficial after all (Murray 228-230). Indeed, the four years spent in residential college studying courses like interior design, hotel management, social work and other courses excluding medicine and law are not reasonable. Indeed, such courses can take a lesser time hence diluting the benefits of Four-Year Residential Colleges. In addition, the advantage of having a physical library in the Four-Year Residential Colleges faces extinction by the fact that capable students can easily