For the purposes of this article, I will assume that the alternative to a GED
is a high school diploma. I think we will all agree that there are no cons to
getting a GED if the alternative is nothing at all. Just to clarify for those
that don’t know, a GED or General Educational Development, is a degree obtained
upon the passing of an aptitude test designed to measure knowledge essential to
any high school graduate.
Pros to getting a GED
1. Master of your own lifestyle
While the majority of people in this country subscribe to a system of public
education, the government dictates that any individual may choose his/her own
path as long as the end is in sync with those of public education. In other
words, you may be home schooled just as long as you acquire the same basic
knowledge as other students attending public school. For many, this can be a
blessing, as they may find public education to be somewhat tedious and lacking.
2. Unforeseen circumstances
Life can sometimes throw you curve balls. Many people make plans to finish
high school and attend college, but never do so because of a certain event in
their life that prompted their dropping out. Certainly, we all know of someone
who knew of someone who got pregnant at a young age. A GED gives these
individuals a second chance. They allow these otherwise high-school graduates to
resurrect their plans for a successful future.
3. Get on par
A high school degree is often times the minimum requirement for entry level
jobs. Other times, it may be required for a pay raise. In either case, a GED
allows you to get on par with the rest of the work force. Some employers
will even pay for you to get your GED.
Cons to getting a GED
1. Why not a high school diploma?
This is the question that many employers will ask when looking at your
resume. Even though it is technically supposed to be equivalent to a high school
degree, many call the GED a “Good Enough
Degree”, ranking its credibility often below that of a high school
education. Although both are sufficient for most entry level positions, many
higher-paying jobs will show preference for a high school degree rather than a
GED.
2. Getting into college
GEDs usually have no problem getting you into a community college. You might,
however, have some trouble convincing Harvard to let you in. Because your GED
score is only a number, more selective four-year institutions will have a hard
time attempting to evaluate your application. If you’re going to get a GED,
chances are good that you will end up attending community college.
3. Missed life experience
High school can be an important
stage in all of our lives. Whether you basked in the glory of popularity or
crawled out barely alive, high school is responsible for many parts of us that
will never change. In forgoing the high school experience, you will deprive
yourself of a priceless opportunity for growth and self-exploration.