Misconceptions About the Typical American College

Education is important and every person should obtain an education while growing up. However, the stereotype of going to college is not as common as it used to and has changed over time. This generation has adapted and made changes to beliefs of college being the right path to take. Community college is now being seen as a beginning step for people who still want to pursue an education.

Still, people who go to a community college or don’t go to school at all often face criticism in comparison to a student who goes and gets accepted into a university. The film, Accepted, demystifies college when Bartleby’s family built up beliefs and opinions of going to college change, real representation of those who don’t fit the mold by looks or book smart aren’t desired, and the facade to impress family is no longer needed.

The family’s built up beliefs and opinions on going to college are challenged as Bartleby’s situation comes to light. When Bartleby tells his family he is not going to college, the disappointment and shame of his family is expressed mostly through Bartleby’s father. His father ‘s statement “If you want to be successful, you go to college. If you want to fit in, you go to college!” already proves how a person’s mindset based on their belief and opinion can easily shape a viewpoint on an individual. Bartleby’s mother’s statement “We should have started preparing you for college in middle school.

Like your sister. Now she has a shot.” showing her agreement with Bartleby’s father on how the built up stereotype of college affects them personally. Barthleby’s family mindset is also impacted on the fact that they both have first hand experience on going to college, which makes them want Barthleby to go to college as well. This specific altercation between Bartleby’s family during dinner makes a negative impact on him and contributes to the cause of the whole problem and climax when the film progresses.

Real representation of those who don’t fit the mold also contribute to misconceptions about college. In the beginning part of the film, the majority of the families represented were white or people of middle class families. A majority of the characters had family that graduated and went to college which sets up an unrealistic representation in the film. When Bartleby has made his parents believe he got accepted into a college, the excitement is clearly seen from both his parents and shown when his father is willing to pay for Bartleby’s first year of college. Joshua S. Wyner states, “College students now serve a disproportionately large percentage on the national low-income and underrepresented minority status.” After Bartleby’s success to opening a school for those who aren’t as well off, intelligent, or as fortunate to be accepted into other schools, gives them hope and doesn’t stick to the typical standards he had believed in before.

The movie including students who don’t feel pressured into having a facade is a way that Accepted demystifies college misconceptions. The film’s major plot came based on the fact the Bartleby hadn’t been accepted to any colleges which made his family disappointed in him. His need to satisfy and impress his family cause him to have a facade of being a university student of a sister college of a well known school. However, when he is taken to court for all his lies, he admits to those affected by his lies and as claims “I lied to all of you, and I’m sorry. Dad especially to you. But out of that desperation something happened that was so amazing”. His statement in the room reflects to us and shows how the facade to impress on others does have a toll that can shape someone and not always for the better in some cases.

The new opinion built in the courtroom of a typical university demystifies the opinion of requirements needed in a college or what college you go to. The Detroit News published news on Sasha Obama, the youngest daughter of Michelle and Barack Obama stating, “... puts her on a path different from her family members: attending a public Big Ten university instead of seeking an Ivy League education”. This real life example breaks an expected stereotype with her deciding to attend a university is just as acceptable as any Ivy League School, which all her family members have attended. Having a facade is something we see in the film and the misconceptions about college are demystifies.

College holds the typical stereotypes of changes in classes, lessons, acquaintances, viewpoints, etc. The purpose of college is to give people the opportunity to receive a higher education and expand their understanding on a certain subject. As Barthleby’s father says, “Society has rules. And the first rule is you go to college.” In the end, Barthleby’s overall verdict on his case showed people that they don’t need to conform to society and different schools exist for different people. Based on the film, Accepted, the common misconceptions people have about college are demystified when Bartleby’s family's beliefs and opinions of going to college have changed, fitting a mold by looks or being book smart are no longer realistic representations, and not having to have a facade is seen to be acceptable.