Why not skip college and just have a standardized test to get a degree?
Sadly, even engineering has become credentials-obsessed now.
This goes against FERPA.
What does college serve as, other than simply a testing service?
The majority of my undergraduate classes amounted to:
* practicing reading * practicing writing * practicing participating in group discussions * practicing demonstrating concepts (maths and proofs) * practicing a second language
For most of those courses, I could have been handed a syllabus of topics to learn on my own, and then taken a final exam- I'd already had plenty of practice writing and speaking at that point outside of school, so everything but the second language requirement for my degree could have boiled down to a few weeks or months.
There was also introduction to specific skills, some of which proved useful, and subject areas. Numerous of my courses outside my major areas of study or even areas of general interest have proved highly durable and relevant, in ways I could never have guessed. The opportunity to develop my own skills in research and areas of interest as well.
And, I realise several decades later, numerous missed opportunities.
Along with some socialising.
I'm not of the view that uni is for everyone, or that its benefits (or financing) are fairly sold. But it most definitely can and does have considerable value.
There still needs to be minimum hours invested. Skin in the game. Even someone with mastery over a topic must still do something constructive, useful, formative. Work on a project. Mentor, tutor others. Teachers assistant. Whatever.
For undergraduate degrees, there still needs to be off topic study. Ethics, humanities, finger painting, banging the rocks together, study abroad, whatever. Anything to expose young minds to stuff outside of their own bubble.
No matter. What's your plan?