German colleges offer free degrees to Americans

[meaculpa2011]

5. Not "all" by any stretch.

"All German universities are now free to Americans and all other international students."

German universities are extremely selective and course requirements are rigorous. Dropouts rates of 80% for first-year students are considered normal. Students also have to declare their major and have it approved at the beginning of study.

There's no such thing as going to college to "find myself."

However, Germany also has a long tradition of vocational training and apprenticeship which is why their youth unemployment rate is less than half compared with the U.S. and the rest of the Euro Zone.

We can learn plenty from Germany, but I don't think many young Americans (or their parents) would like to see their path to higher education blocked because a group of experts decided they didn't possess the requisite aptitude.

I've been doing business with German companies for decades and there is much to be admired in their approach, but it's highly stratified and selective--many here would say discriminatory.