Why Go to College? an Address

This is a passionate address delivered by Alice Freeman Palmer, the second president of Wellesley College, advocating for women's higher education at a time when that radical notion still required defense. Palmer speaks with the authority of someone who had witnessed education transform women's lives, making the case that college offers far more than career preparation. She argues that the friendships forged, the ideals shaped, and the specialized interests cultivated during those formative years create women who are genuinely equipped for life in all its dimensions. The address pulses with conviction: education is not a luxury for women, but a necessity for their intellectual vitality, their capacity for meaningful work, and their own happiness. More than a historical artifact, this short work endures because its central question remains urgent. Why should anyone go to college? Palmer's answer transcends her era, speaking to anyone who has ever wondered whether the investment in learning is truly worth it.