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I think I would encourage them to drop out of a traditional college and pursue their dreams while taking one or two classes a semester online.

Yes, I would definitely encourage them to pursue their dream!

I'd want them to finish college, esp. if they only had a year or so to go. It gets so much harder to finish when you're older with other commitments and stuff, plus once you have your degree, no one can take it away from you. It's not about what you learn, but the process of learning that's important.

I'm having trouble coming up with an example of a dream that would prohibit someone from finishing college. I think a degree is extremely important, and I'd want my kids to finish their schooling ASAP if they could. It is so much harder to go back and get the degree later on.

@looch: Totally agree with everything you said.

I also think a college degree is a necessity and will only become moreso going forward, especially in a tightened economy.

It would have to be an amazing talent and pretty much a sure thing - then I would be fine with it.

I feel like I barely learning anything in college, too. But I went to an Ivy League school so I had the name on my diploma and sadly, that seemed to be enough when I graduated! Probably not the case anymore, though.

@banana: Well, if I thought my son had a shot at being Kobe Bryant then sure! Maybe we could agree that if nothing panned out after a few years then it would be back to college.

Yes, I am pretty sure I got several jobs only because of the name on my diploma. They barely even bothered to ask me any questions in the interviews!

Well, DH and I both quit university to pursue career opportunities and we've done ok with it. I know it doesn't work for everyone, and we'll encourage future LO's to do what feels best for them, but I can definetely see postponing/not going to college if the situation is right.

My cousin always wanted to work for Apple. He was a huge computer geek and would spend hours taking apart and putting together computers in his spare time.
He was in his senior year of college and he was in an elevator and overheard two guys talking about a problem they were having with their Mac. He told them "I had the same problem and this is how I fixed it."
Turns out those guys were in town recruiting for Apple and wanted to hire him on the spot. He dropped out of college and has been working for Apple for 10 years.
My Aunt and Uncle are pissed that he never finished college. They think they "wasted" the 3.5 years of tuition on him.
I find it hard to think of a better outcome than the one my cousin got. How would a diploma have made his life any better?

For me going to college equaled following my dreams.

I genuinely hope that our children want to go to college- we plan on paying for our kids undergrad. But if that isn't in their dreams, we'd still support them.