What's the point of Hogwarts?

[wysiwyg]

No: HPFGUIDX 127863


Hi guys, I'm a long-time lurker who doesn't post often, so please
forgive me if I haven't posted this correctly.  Also, I couln't 
snip the many comments into a reasonable size and so I just started 
afresh with my opinions on the subject.

I totally see where the people who think Hogwarts should have been 
a summer camp are coming from, but I disagree.  For starters, anyone 
who doesn't want anything to do with the magical world has the 
chance  to decline Hogwarts when they get their letter.  Granted, very few 11 year olds know where they want to go with their life (I still don't, and I'm 24 this year), but I believe you would be leaving more doors open if you accept than if you decline.

Although Hogwarts at times does seem to focus on 'party tricks' and
effects, I don't believe we get the full picture from Harry's point 
of view.  The only lessons we see are ones where something important
happens or an important conversation/meeting takes place.  Of course
JKR isn't going to describe each and every lesson; that would be 
plain boring.  However, many subjects (History of Magic and Transfiguration to name just two) require the students to write essays.  Binns might be useless, but I can totally see McGonagall spending some time teaching students basic grammar and spelling, 
plus lessons on how to present essays.  I also imagine some basic maths and science principles are explained in Potions.  It may not seem much, but I can guarantee it's more than some 18 year olds 
know!

Now I'm gonna try and describe a hypothetical situation I had in 
mind. Say Hermione graduates from Hogwarts and decides that she misses the muggle world and wants to move back into it.  She could get a job doing something magical, yet rather mundane (for example working in a shop in Diagon Alley or a clerical job at the Ministry).  With the money she makes she can afford to rent a flat anywhere in Britain that she chooses.  Don't forget that a qualified witch/wizard who is of age can apparate - a luxury someone who 
didn't attend a magical school doesn't get.  In her flat she can 
have a TV, internet access and a phone, with the added bonus that 
she can also have a fireplace connected to the floo network.

Now for her career.  If she really doesn't want a job in the magical
world she still has options.  She could get a job that doesn't 
require academic qualifications and work her way up through the company.  She could even start her own company.  If there's a 
problem concerning her whereabouts during her seven years at Hogwarts, then I'm sure a department at either the MoM or muggle parliament can sort it out for her without giving too much details.  Don't forget that while most muggles are completely unaware of the magical community, the Prime Minister is.

If she'd rather continue studying than get a full time job, she 
could do her GCSEs and A Levels at college, no problems.  I've known people who failed their GCSEs at age 16, for whatever reason, but with a little hard work and determination went on to get degrees.  Plenty of 18 year olds in Britain have no formal qualifications; it doesn't mean that society just gives up on them.

Sorry for the length of the post, I just thought I'd throw a few 
ideas into the mix.  To sum up, I appreciate the posts people have posted voicing their concerns about Hogwarts, but I don't think it's as big a deal as some people are making out.  Hogwarts alumni are free to do virtually anything that a muggle college graduate can do with the added bonus, they can apparate, save on phone bills calling their old mates by using floo, use magic to make their cars (and presumably flats) bigger a la Arthur Weasley, move heavy objects easily, plus have the ability to use a huge collection of other useful spells. 

"wysiwyg"