The rush for higher education

For the majority of my friends and I, going for tertiary education after high school has pretty much been a given. Not really a question of "if" but rather, "what" or even "where". After all, we're told that if we don't go to college/university we will no doubt end up homeless, poor, and unloved, prostituting ourselves on street corners or living in cardboard boxes and fighting with sewage rats for food.
Honestly though, approximately 1% of the world's population go to college and yet the remaining 99% aren't exactly homeless bums so the whole rush with getting into a great college is rather ridiculous.
I mean, the competition I see is absolutely ludicrous. College education doesn't determine what type of person you are or what kind of person you'll become. Your motivation and efforts define that.
That's the problem with the American education system, people aren't motivated by themselves, they're motivated out of fear. When I was in New Zealand, people joined charities, volunteered, did extra curricular activites because they enjoyed them. Not to have a better transcript for college administrators to see.
In the end will anyone aiming for college actually care about the things they do? I'm not saying that no one enjoys the extra curriculars they participate in, I'm just saying there shouldn't be a heavy emphasis on people doing more and better to get into University.
Those who don't enjoy what they do will more than likely fall into a state of moratorium, unsure of themselves once they've entered college. Or even throw themselves into a busier and more hectic lifestyle. If everyone's in such heavy competition, who's going to slow down and enjoy life? And isn't that what it's all about? Taking the time to enjoy the ride.

- Wishing people would just enjoy themselves a little more.