[forgetbook]

2 & 3] So, the students now bear the risk/burden of their training costs, where in the past they were heavily subsidized by the University capping costs ($400), the fed paying what remained (made fees free), and in some cases the company taking on an obligation to hire (cadetship).

5] Spot the strawman. How are students entitled when they are the ones paying tuition and shouldering risk of failure, while institutions in return offer no obligation to train (university), no obligation to hire (company), and no escape from debt (fed)?

Again, I'm glad your experience worked out well, and I'm glad we agree that the conditions students operate in today are materially different. You certainly have the option of throwing up your hands at the entitlement of the youths, but it seems to me that the entitlement here is on the part of institutions that now expect access to a highly trained workforce with no part in supporting the training.

If your goal is that only a small percentage of the population be highly competent in their field, then by all means support the norm that only a small percentage of the population be supported in training.

(edit: additional comments below)

I'd like to reiterate that I am not advocating for lowering standards here. I want a highly competent workforce, in and out of the medical field. At no point have I asked that students be given unearned passing grades. What I am asking for is that students be supported, financially and otherwise, in their attempts to learn and earn passing grades.

[hilbert42]

I've really no issue with students, essentially they're the same as they have always been. My criticism is with the era, things have gotten a lot rougher and less certain for students since my time.

The fixes are obvious, but then I'm not in possession of Aladdin's lamp.

[forgetbook]

I think students (demographically) have changed as well as the conditions they operate in. As you've pointed out, even attending a higher ed is much more common. There are not only more students, but also more students from different backgrounds. Motivationally there is likely similarity to how they have always been, but the challenge of training a student population of increasing size and diversity remains.

[hilbert42]

"...as well as the conditions they operate in."

I'm in no doubt that's true. I'd only add that I'm glad I went through the education system when I did even though it wasn't perfect.

[forgetbook]

It did occur to me that my ask is being delivered to someone in no position to say yes. Thank you for helping me organize my thoughts though.

[hilbert42]

That's why I favor rational ongoing debate, it helps organize ones thinking. I couldn't guess how may times I've changed my opinion after listening both sides of an argument.