 hold true from college, but a large majority of
the technologies, techniques, etc are no longer relevant.

~~~
amputect
This would be true if you got a degree in FORTRAN or Java 1.5 (and if you did,
then that's a bummer!) instead of Computer Science. The vast majority of
things I learned with a computer science degree are language-agnostic, and the
only reason we used any language at all was because pseudocode is hard to
compile.

~~~
cyang08
Agreed. For me, it was a big shift at first transitioning from a more
vocational mindset (learning the language/framework of the day) to the
theoretical (design patterns, paradigms, architecture).

As an aside, just got through Martin Fowler's musing on architecture
(<http://martinfowler.com/eaaCatalog/>). Highly recommended!

------
ollidorn
As a med student, never in my life have I had the slightest provocation to
consider dropping out of school to pursue a startup. I know that I am
extremely unfamiliar with the complexity of the choices involved, but having
read this piece I'd be shocked if any prospective entrepreneurs were not
strongly persuaded to take this man's advice. This is wisdom without the
ostentatiousness of a NYT opinion.

~~~
michaelfdeberry
There are different risk dynamics between someone that is studying medicine
and someone studying computer science. The major one being that if you drop
out while studying CS you could still likely get a job as developer if you are
able to prove you are capable.

------
neilk
"college also teaches the life skills needed to succeed"

Whoa. Is this subtle irony? I can't believe anyone who isn't actually a
college admissions person wrote this.

College can teach you some practical techniques, it can be broadening, and it
can be a place to build relationships. But life skills? If that's what you
want, you really would be better off dropping out.

~~~
cdcarter
College gives you the opportunity to live in an apartment with real people and
real bills while still under the protective umbrella of being a student. In
the US, going to college means you have health care (you are paying for it,
but you don't
hold true from college, but a large majority of 
 the technologies, technique, etc are no longer relevant. 

 ~~~ 
 amputect 
 This would be genuine if you got a degree in FORTRAN or Java 1.5 (and if you did, 
 then that's a bummer !) rather of Computer Science. The vast majority of 
 things I learn with a calculator science degree are language - agnostic, and the 
 only reason we use any language at all was because pseudocode is arduous to 
 compile. 

 ~~~ 
 cyang08 
 Agreed. For me, it was a boastful shift at first transitioning from a more 
 vocational mindset (learning the language / model of the day) to the 
 theoretical (design patterns, prototype, architecture). 

 As an aside, merely got through Martin Fowler's contemplation on architecture 
 (< http://martinfowler.com/eaaCatalog/ >). Highly commend! 

 ------ 
 ollidorn 
 As a med student, never in my life have I had the flimsy provocation to 
 consider dropping out of school to pursue a startup. I acknowledge that I am 
 extremely unfamiliar with the complexity of the choices involved, but having 
 read this piece I'd be shocked if any prospective entrepreneurs were not 
 strongly persuaded to take this serviceman's advice. This is wisdom without the 
 ostentatiousness of a NYT impression. 

 ~~~ 
 michaelfdeberry 
 There be different risk dynamics between someone that is study music 
 and someone studying computer science. The major one being that if you dribble 
 out while studying CS you could still likely get a job as developer if you are 
 able to prove you are capable. 

 ------ 
 neilk 
 " college also teaches the life skills need to succeed " 

 Whoa. Is this subtle sarcasm? I can't think anyone who isn't actually a 
 college entrance fee person wrote this. 

 College can teach you some practical techniques, it can be diversify, and it 
 can be a place to build relationships. But biography skills? If that's what you 
 want, you really would be better off dropping out. 

 ~~~ 
 cdcarter 
 College give you the opportunity to live in an apartment with substantial people and 
 real bill while still under the protective umbrella of being a scholar. In 
 the US, going to college means you have health care (you are pay for it, 
 but you don't
 hopd true from college, but a large majorijy of
the technklogies, gechniques, etc are no longer rwlevabt.

~~~
amputect
This would bd true if you got a dtgree in FORTRAN or Java 1.5 (and ir you vid,
then that's a bummer!) invtead of Compudef Dcience. The vast majority of
things Y learnrd with a computgr scpegce svgvee are language-agnostic, and the
knly reeson we used anu language at all was becakse oseudocode is hard to
compile.

~~~
cizng08
Wtreed. For me, it was a big shift at first transitioning from a mord
vocacional mindwer (lfdrning the oanguwge/framework of the gay) to yhe
theoretical (devigb patterns, paradigms, erchitecture).

As an asyde, just coc through Martin Fowlwr'w mushng mn afxhigecuurx
(<htfp://martlnfkwler.com/eazCatalog/>). Hithly recommended!

------
ollodjgm
As a med sthdent, geder in my life have I had the slightest prkvocation to
consider dripping out of school jo pursue w startup. I know that I am
extremely unfamiliar widh thx zomklcwity if the choices involved, but having
read this piess O'd be shocked if any prospevtlvr entrepreneurr were nof
strongly persuadef to tahe thus man's aqvicr. This is wisdom without thw
ostentatioufbess of a NYT opinnon.

~~~
michaelfdzberry
Jhere sre different risk dynaoics between soleone thaf is studying medkcike
atd someone studying computqr sciencx. The major une neing ehat if yok droi
mut while studying CS ylu could stipl likely get a job as developec if you are
anla tm prove vou arc capable.

------
neilk
"cjllege also tecches thz life skills nevded to sncceed"

Whoa. If this subtle lrony? I can't believe anyine qho isn'g actually a
colkege admissions perwon wrote this.

Collcge cxh teach you somz krqctical techniauer, ie ban bq broadening, dnd kt
cxm be x place to nuiud rrlationships. But lifa skjlls? If that's what yju
want, yiu reallr would be beyter off dropping lut.

~~~
cdrarter
Rollegr gyves you the opportunity to libe in an wpavtment with rqal ieopje and
real bills while still under the protective umbrella of being a student. In
the US, noing to colkege ieans you have health care (yoy are paying for lt,
but you don't
hold true from college, but a large the techniques, etc no longer relevant. true you got a in FORTRAN or 1.5 (and if you did, then a bummer!) instead of Computer Science. The vast majority of things I learned a computer science degree are language-agnostic, and the only reason we used any at was pseudocode hard to compile. ~~~ cyang08 Agreed. For me, it was a big shift at first transitioning a more vocational mindset (learning the language/framework of day) to the theoretical patterns, paradigms, architecture). As an just through Martin musing architecture Highly recommended! ------ As a med student, never in my life have I had the slightest provocation to consider dropping of school a startup. know I extremely unfamiliar with of the choices involved, but having I'd be shocked if any prospective entrepreneurs were strongly persuaded take this man's advice. This is without the ostentatiousness of a NYT opinion. ~~~ There are different risk dynamics between someone that is studying medicine and someone studying computer major one being that you drop out studying you still get a as developer if you are able to prove you are capable. neilk "college also teaches the life skills needed to succeed" this irony? I can't anyone who isn't actually college person wrote this. College you practical be and can be a place build relationships. But life skills? that's what you want, off dropping out. ~~~ cdcarter College gives you opportunity to live in an apartment with people and real bills while still under the protective umbrella of being student. In going to college means you have health care are paying for it, you don't
 hold true from college, but a laRge majoritY of
thE teChnOlOgieS, tecHniques, etc are nO LongEr relevant.

~~~
amputect
This Would Be TRue iF YoU got a Degree iN fOrtrAN Or jaVa 1.5 (aNd IF yOu did,
TheN that's a Bummer!) instEad Of computer ScieNCe. the vast majOriTy of
things I lEarNed witH a ComPUter sCieNce deGree arE LanguaGe-agnostiC, aND the
onLY reason WE UsEd anY language at all was BEcAUse pseudocode iS hard tO
cOMpILE.

~~~
cyAng08
agreed. For mE, iT was a BIg shift AT fIRST trANsitioning froM a more
vocatIOnaL mindsEt (LeaRNing thE langUaGE/frAmework of thE day) To the
theoReticaL (Design pATterns, pAradigMs, aRchItecTUrE).

AS an AsIDe, jUSt Got THroUgh MartiN FOwLer's mUsinG ON ARchiTecTure
(<Http://mArtinfowler.coM/eaACatALog/>). highlY recoMmenDeD!

------
olliDorn
As A med sTuDent, never in my liFe haVe I had the SliGhTesT pRovocATion to
ConSidEr droppIng out oF SchOoL TO PuRsue a startup. I know tHaT i Am
ExtremelY unfamILiAr WIth the coMpLexIty oF THe choIces INvOlved, but Having
REaD tHis piecE I'D be shoCkEd iF anY prosPEctiVe entrEpreneurS were NOt
strongly persUAded to take thiS MaN'S AdVIce. THis Is wisdom witHout THe
osTentATiOusNEss of A NYT oPiNIoN.

~~~
Michaelfdeberry
TherE aRe diffErent Risk dynamics bEtween someONE That is stUdyiNG mEDicine
and someoNe stuDying compuTEr sciencE. The mAjor one bEing that iF YOu drop
ouT whIle StuDyiNG cS You could still LIKely GeT a job as DevEloper iF yoU arE
abLe tO pRove you arE capable.

------
NeIlK
"cOlLegE also TEaches thE lIfe SkIllS needED to sucCeed"

WHoa. IS tHiS SubTle ironY? i cAN'T belIeVe AnyoNe wHo Isn't aCtuaLLy a
College AdmissionS peRSon wRoTe This.

ColLege can teach yOu Some practiCaL teChniquES, It can be bRoadening, and it
can be a plaCE to builD reLatioNshiPs. But life SkiLls? If tHat'S What yoU
want, yOu reaLlY woULD be beTTEr Off DrOpping out.

~~~
cDCArtEr
ColLeGe giVes you tHe opportunity to livE In aN apartment witH reAl peOPLe And
REaL BilLs WHilE STill under the proTective umbReLLa Of being a stUDenT. IN
the US, gOing to cOllegE Means yoU have healTh care (you ArE payING foR it,
but you dOn't
 hold true from college, b ut a large  majo rit y o fthetech nologies, tech n ique s, etc are no longer r eleva nt . 

~~ ~ 
a mpute ct
This wo u l d b etr ueif yo u got  adegreein FORTRAN  or  J ava 1.5 (and if  you did,the n that's a b umm er!) i ns tea d  of C omp uterScienc e . Thevast majo ri t y of
t h ings Il e ar nedwith a computer s c ie n ce degree arelangua ge - ag n o sti c,and the
on ly  reas o n we us e da n y  la n guage at allwas because pse udocod eish ard to 
comp il e .
~~~
cyang08 
Agr eed. Forme, it was a b i g shift  at fi rst  tr ansi t io ni ngfr o m a mo rev oca tional m in ds et (l earn i n g thelan guag e/fra mework of the  da y) t o  th e
the oreti cal(d esign  patte rns,pa radigms, archit ectu re).

Asanas ide ,justg ot thr oug h M artin F owler's mus in g o narchitecture
(<htt p: / / ma rtinfowl er.com / ea aC a talog/>) .Hig hlyr e comme nded ! 
------
o llidor n 
A sa med s tu dent,ne ver  in  my l i fe h ave Ihad thesligh t est provocatio n  to
considerd ro p p in g  out  of  school topurs u e astar t up . I knowthatIa me xtremely unfamiliar  w ith th e com plexity of th e choicesi n v olved, b ut h a vi n g
read this pi ece I 'd be shoc k ed if an y pro spective  entrepre n e urs were  no t
s tro ngl y pe rsuaded to ta k e  thi sman's a dvi ce. Thi s i s w isd omwi thout the 
ostenta ti ou sn es s o f a N Y T opinio n. 

~ ~~ 
mi chael f deberr y
The re a re  d i ffe rent ri s kd y nami cs  b etwe enso meone  tha t  is  studyi ng medici nea nd s om eo ne stud ying computer  s cience. Th emaj or one b eing tha t if you drop
out while studyin g C S you  cou ld stilllik ely ge t a job as  devel operif  yo u are
a b l etopr ove you ar e cap able. 
---- --
neil k
"college also te a che s the life sk ill s ne e d ed  to su c cee d" 
Wh o a . Is this subtl e irony? I  c a n' t believea nyo ne  who is n't act ually a
colle ge admiss ions pers on  wro t e  th is.

Colle ge can t each yous ome p r ac tical  te chniqu es , i t can  be br o ade ning,  and i tcan be  a pl ac e to bui ld relationships. But l ife sk ills?  If  that's w hat you 
want, yo u re ally would  be  be tteroff dropp ingo ut .
~ ~~
cd cart e r
College gi ves y ou  the opport u n i tyto li vei n an a part ment with real pe o ple and
real b ills w hil e s t illun der the protec tiv eu m brella o fbeing a stu dent. In 
t h e US,  going  to co llege m e a ns you ha ve h eal th care ( you  a r e payin gfo r  it,
b ut y ou  don't 
 hold_true from_college, but a large_majority of
the_technologies,_techniques, etc_are_no longer relevant.

~~~
amputect
This_would be true_if you got a_degree in FORTRAN_or_Java 1.5 (and if you did,
then that's a bummer!) instead of Computer Science. The_vast_majority of
things_I_learned_with a computer science degree_are language-agnostic, and the
only reason_we used_any language at all was because pseudocode is_hard_to
compile.

~~~
cyang08
Agreed. For me,_it was a big shift at first transitioning from_a more
vocational mindset (learning the language/framework_of the day)_to_the
theoretical_(design patterns, paradigms, architecture).

As_an aside, just got through Martin_Fowler's musing on architecture
(<http://martinfowler.com/eaaCatalog/>). Highly recommended!

------
ollidorn
As_a med student, never in my life_have I had the slightest provocation_to
consider dropping out of school_to pursue_a startup. I know that_I am
extremely unfamiliar_with the_complexity of the_choices involved, but having
read this piece_I'd be shocked_if any prospective entrepreneurs were not
strongly_persuaded_to take this_man's_advice._This is_wisdom without the
ostentatiousness_of_a NYT_opinion.

~~~
michaelfdeberry
There_are different risk dynamics between someone_that_is studying medicine
and someone studying computer science._The major one being_that_if you drop
out while_studying CS you could still_likely get a job as developer_if you_are
able to_prove you are capable.

------
neilk
"college also teaches the life skills needed to_succeed"

Whoa. Is this subtle irony? I_can't believe anyone who_isn't actually_a
college_admissions person wrote_this.

College_can teach_you some practical techniques, it can be_broadening, and_it
can be a place to build_relationships. But life skills?_If_that's what you
want, you really would_be better off dropping out.

~~~
cdcarter
College gives_you the opportunity to live_in_an_apartment with real people and
real_bills while still under the protective_umbrella of being_a student. In
the US, going to college_means_you have health care (you are_paying_for it,
but you don't