MovieChat Forums > Back to School (1986) Discussion > Why is Jason even in college?

Why is Jason even in college?


Thornton Melon is a millionaire with a very successful business. It just seems natural that his only son would take over the family business. I can understand Jason still wanting an education (and maybe the whole "college experience" in general), but he seems like he's well set for life. Thornton became successful and never saw a day of college in his youth.

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I think it was explained in the movie, he basically wants to make it on his own an not have to be dependent on his dad's money

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It's explained at the beginning of the movie when Thorton's dad tells him that it doesn't matter how successful a man is, without an education he has nothing. Thorton later says that to Jason and it's the reason why he wants to go as well.

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I actually went to college with a guy who was going to go into his dad's highly successful business. They were very rich and he had no real need to go to college, but his father wanted him to go for 3 or 4 years. He didn't have to graduate, just go for a while, I guess to have fun, meet girls, etc. (does anybody actually learn anything in undergrad anyway?). The kid played golf every day and was captain of the golf team.

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There are people is those types of "pampered" situations(so to speak), that just want to prove to themselves, and others, that they can accomplish something on their own.

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